In Turkey, the amateur arts do not form a separate sector within the cultural field.
Professional arts are not clearly separated from the amateur arts. Artists start as an amateur,
and as experience grows and vocational art education is successfully accomplished, these artists
gron towards a professional status. The more serious and devoted an artist works and the more works
he sells - for instance in the tourist industry - the bigger the chance that he will be considered
a professional artist.
It is difficult to distinguish between the arts, crafts and folklore. The difference is not substantial
and also not very important. Knitting socks - you can easily find socks displayed in a contemporary
arts exhibition - is a clear example of that. The division of the arts in disciplines is not very
important in Turkey. Maybe this urge to categorise is typically Dutch. However, this also means that
there is no such thing as an ‘amateur arts specialist’; it is not known whether research has been
done in this field and research data are not available.
In Turkey the most important thing is the idea that an artist gives ‘ask’ to his work.
This stands for love, devotion and passion. Dedication and the disciplined way of working ultimately
make the artefact a work of art.
Islamic visual art varies substantially from western art, which is primarily due to restrictions in
the Koran on depicting the human form. Rather than representing the profane world, the perfection of Ottoman
art lies in the pure balance of colour, line and rhythm in geometric patterns and designs. Of the Ottoman arts,
Calligraphy was the most important. Traditional arts are highly valued and they are fostered in today’s Turkey.
The cliché image of Turkish arts as tapestries, ceramics and copperware is still presented to tourists, but also
in the cultural shows on TRT-international (Turkish broadcasting in Europe).
The main instrument for this policy goal were the so-called ‘halkevleri’ [community centres] in the cities and the ‘halkodalari’ [community homes] in small villages. These cultural community centres provided for the space, materials and opportunities for aspiring amateurs to actively and/or passively take part in courses on the arts and culture in all disciplines. Art disciplines were shaped in a modernist, western way. Professional artists in the performing arts, music and the visual and plastic arts provided for shows and exhibitions. Also an extensive number of courses was being offered, taught by professional artists. A lot of contemporary artists once started their careers as an amateur in the halkevleri.
In the sixties and seventies a lot of the halkevleri were closed down, due to changing political insights.
Later on, some of them were restored and nowadays they are used again. State galleries and artistic initiatives
as centres of creativity. In almost every Turkish city there is a secretary for cultural affairs. Smaller
cities have their own state-owned galleries, in larger towns, the state galleries are often connected to
a museum. Cultural participation, education and the dissemination of the arts and culture among the general
public are their most important tasks.
The tasks of the Directorates of State Fine Art Galleries (on national scale there are 45 galleries)
include primarily the organisation of exhibitions and as an additional function they provide extended
education by organising conferences, panels, film and slide shows, and workshops and courses. Thus, they s
trive to develop the artistic taste and competence and offer exhibition opportunities to the mature and
young artists working in this field, as well as the amateurs.
The state galleries function as starting points for young and promising artists, but they also
provide for a place where the amateur arts can be practised. Education is of major importance in
these centres; art courses are offered at minimum costs.
Istanbul clearly is Turkey’s centre for everything connected to the arts and culture.
Most schools for arts education are situated here. For instance, in Istanbul, The Birlik Foundation
gives weekend lessons in Turkish calligraphy. The courses last for three months. The Centre for Turkish
Handcrafts at the Medrese of Caferaga offers courses in many fields including Turkish calligraphy, paper
marbling, wood carving and inlaying mother-of-pearl and the musical instruments ney, ud, guitar, kanun and
the violin. Private lessons are offered in numerous disciplines, ranging from belly dance to the marbling
of paper and many kinds of music: folkloric, Turkish, classical, religious, gypsy, ethnic, etc.
But: playing the saz is the most popular thing to do: 30% of all Turks play this instrument. This often
has a religious connotation. Folkloric arts often form the basis for contemporary art forms.
Turks love singing; television shows provide for a platform for singing and music.
