The Hungarian University of Fine Arts provides education and training to the future actors of the Hungarian cultural scene in all visual arts areas.
During its history, our institution has preserved the legal basis on which its educational program has been founded while also seeking and cultivating continuous renewal, as evidenced by our new departments that began their operation incongruity with the fresh trends of contemporary arts in the past few decades.
In addition to practical training, theoretical subjects comprise a fundamental component of education at the HUFA.
Extending far beyond a general scope, a firm background in the specialized visual art-related branches of history, theory, sociology, and psychology is indispensable for our students. A high standard training for such a gifted group of students (chosen from an immense pool of applicants) demands more than a general grasp of art theory: it requires a firm theoretical grounding worthy of our students' abilities. It organically relates to the particularities of visual art.
The last 100 years in fine arts history have seen a rich array of fresh styles and trends. The emergence of a new style, whoever, has never resulted in a complete disappearance of the old: all approaches have remained "valid," insofar as the artist's talent allowed. While art cannot be rigid – outside influences must always be reacted to with sensitivity –, there have always been artists who persisted in their use of a personally developed style, continuously shaping it, adjusting it, and increasing its complexity by incorporating new elements, but never entirely surrendering the original concept.
It seems that a dominant, popular contemporary style has not crystallized. The plurality of various forms exists on multiple levels. They can coexist with each other, side by side. Experimenters never quite fit in, and it is natural for them always to encounter difficulties. Artists who wish to satisfy the demands of the general public must provide entertainment. Those nonconformists, however, whose art meets other functions, remain unique. In this way, old renegades and timid youngsters equally exist among artists.
Talented individuals are among the most highly prized treasures of a country. They determine the course of development and mark the direction in the arts. Society must seek to understand and support them. They must be given time for contemplation, for their personality to unfold and strengthen to prepare for a professional career, cultivate their heritage, and create new qualities. This is a challenging task for young talents and the University, as we are living in times when taking responsibility for ideas originating from one's inner conviction is once again of import.
