Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University

The institution was founded on January 1, 1882, as the "School of Fine Arts" ("Sanayi-i Nefise Mekteb-i Âlisi, formally Mekteb-i Sanayi-i Nefise-i Şâhâne or simply "Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi") by the renowned Turkish painter, art historian, archaeologist, and museum curator, Osman Hamdi Bey. Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University was the first educational institution in fine arts and architecture in Turkey. It opened on March 2, 1883, with eight instructors and 20 students.

In 1914, the school became co-educational. It was converted in 1928 from a school to an academy, the first in Turkey - and its name was changed to "State Academy of Fine Arts" (Devlet Güzel Sanatlar Akademisi). In 1969, it was renamed again, to "Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts" (İstanbul Devlet Güzel Sanatlar Akademisi abbreviated İDGSA). On July 20, 1982, its status was again changed, and the academy became "Mimar Sinan University" (Mimar Sinan Üniversitesi) after the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. Finally, in December 2003, the administration of the university changed its name to "Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University".

Since 1982 the institution has been providing four-year educational programs.

Eye in marble

• Faculty of natural sciences and literature (archeology, pedagogy, physics, statistics, mathematics, history of art, sociology, history, Turkish philology and literature)
• Faculty of fine arts (photography, traditional Turkish handicrafts, graphic design, sculpture, painting, stage design and stage clothes, ceramics art and glass art, cinema and TV, textile design and fashion design, bookbinding, tilework restoration, calligraphy, rug and old textile design), Restoration and Conservation of art works ( Painting and Sculpture )
• Faculty of architecture (industrial design, interior architecture, architecture, urban planning and regional planning)
• İstanbul State conservatory (full-time and part-time) / (music, musicology, performing arts)
• Child conservatory
• Vocational school (textile design, architectural restoration)
• Institute of natural sciences
• Institute of social sciences
• Institute of Fine Arts
• School of informatics

• Nusretiye Palace
• Museum of Painting and Sculpture, Istanbul
• Tophane-i Amire Cultural Center

• Osman Hamdi Beypainter, Art Historian, and Archaeologist
• Yervant Osgan–sculptor
• İbrahim Çallı–painter
• Filiz Ali–pianist and musicologist
• Rudolf Belling–German sculptor
• Nuri Bilge Ceylan–film director, screenwriter, and photographer
• Adnan Coker–painter
• Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu–painter and poet
• Nazmi Ziya Güran–painter
• Bruno Taut–German architect
• Alexander Vallaury–French architect
• Robert Vorhoelzer–German architect and city planner
• Suphi Saatçi–architect and historian
• Ali Teoman Germaner–sculptor

Marble wall at the entrance of the University

• Okan Bayülgen–actor and television personality
• Akbar Behkalam–German-Iranian painter and sculptor
• Burak Bilgili–opera singer
• Adnan Coker–painter
• Nevin Çokay–painter
• Yonca Evcimik–pop singer
• Nazmi Ziya Güran–painter
• Nazlı Deniz Kuruoğlu–ballet dancer and Miss Turkey 1982
• Kutluğ Ataman–film director
• Nur Koçak–artist
• Maya Kulenovic–Canadian painter (student 1992-95)
• Elif Naci, painter
• Erinç Seymen–Turkish artist
• Sevil Soyer–painter and interdisciplinary artist
• Pınar Selek–sociologist and human rights activist
• Galip Tekin–comic book artist
• Nilufer Moayeri–artist
• Tuba Büyüküstün–actress and model
• Sinem Banna–Turkish American Sculptor
• Halit Ergenç–actor
• Nejat Isler–actor
• Suphi Saatçi–architecture
• Deniz Karagulle-cartographer
• Hande Erçel–actress and model

• List of universities in Turkey
• Suphi Saatçi

• University's official website (in Turkish)
• Mimar Sinan (in Turkish)
• Mimar Sinan Students Portal (in Turkish)