The National Theater of Greece is calling for a re-evaluation of a draft law that plans to establish a Higher School of Performing Arts, voicing concerns over its impact on existing institutions.
The National Theater of Greece has raised serious objections to the draft law proposed by the Ministry of Education that has been under public consultation since February 19. This legislation aims to establish a new Higher School of Performing Arts (A.S.P.T.), which would absorb five historical state schools. The artistic director of the National Theater, Argiro Chioni, along with other officials, are seeking significant revisions to the proposal, including institutional guarantees for the connection to the National Theater and an extension of the public consultation period.
The draft law outlines the creation of a performing arts institution with a four-year curriculum, termed the 'University of Performing Arts (U.O.P.A)', based in Athens. As part of this initiative, five schools will be merged into A.S.P.T., specifically targeting the Drama School of the National Theater, among others. This merger raises concerns about the future of these historical institutions and their educational programs.
The National Theater officials emphasize the need for comprehensive discussions and reassessments of how this merger will impact the arts education landscape in Greece. They advocate for a transparent process that includes feedback from all stakeholders involved in the performing arts education sector to ensure that the new structure aligns with the rich heritage of these institutions.
