HISTORY
The Nordic
Art Association is the oldest of the joint Nordic organisations
for the arts, founded in 1945. In it´s early years the Association
concentrated on the organizing of large Nordic exhibitions. The
Nordic Arts´Center was founded on the Associations initiative
in the 1970´s, and it's work was continued by Nifca, Nordic
Institut for Contemporary Art. In 1995-96 the Nordic Visual Art
Year was celebrated with a large touring exhibition. At the end
of 1990's the Finnish section organized meetings of artists and
arts' policy makers for portfolio presentations. The relationship
between the visual arts and architecture has been much in evidence.
The Nordic Art Association in Finland arranged a Nordic conference Art in Architecture & Sustainable Development at Kiasma in Helsinki together with its member organisations and partners in autumn 2003. This conference was the main event of the Association's Finnish Presidency (2001-2003). The conference was addressed mainly to developers and to officials of counties and cities, artists and architects all over the Nordic Countries.
The following questions were discussed during the Conference:
- What can visual arts and artists give in creating new architecture and renovating old suburbs?
- What is the benefit of art?
- Which are the tasks of art in sustainable development?
- What has happened in this field in the Nordic Countries during the last few decades?.
Education of art and architecture was also discussed. The conference also offered an opportunity to join the guided tour of the ART city of Helsinki and to discussions and establishing new contacts.
Previously NAA had it´s own office. At present the presidency circulates between the national organizations at bi-annual intervals. Sweden holds the presidency currently.
