Cooperation agreement signed with Art Academy of Latvia

This Wednesday 21 March, the rector of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Prof. Aigars Pētersons and the rector of the Art Academy of Latvia Prof. Kristaps Zariņš signed an agreement on mutual cooperation for the implementation of interdisciplinary, educational, research, academic, art and exhibition projects.

The universities are looking forward to developing joint study programmes in visual art and anatomy, as well as artist in residence programmes to be implemented by RSU research institutes and laboratories to facilitate the development of medical art and bioart in Latvia.

The contract signing ceremony was attended by Vice-Rector in Study and Research Work of the Art Academy of Latvia Prof. Andris Teikmanis, Vice-Rector in Creative and Administrative Work of the Art Academy of Latvia, Prof. Andris Vītoliņš, Dean of the Master Study Programme of the Art Academy of Latvia Antra Priede-Krievkalne, RSU Vice-Rector for Studies Prof. Tatjana Koķe, Director of RSU Institute of the History of Medicine Prof. Juris Salaks and Head of RSU Anatomy Museum Ieva Lībiete.

This is an important step in establishing a collaborative relationship, as art and medicine have historically-rooted close ties and the universities have already been involved in common activities on several occasions. It is symbolic that in 1984 the current rector of the Art Academy of Latvia Kristaps Zariņš, together with his fellow students worked on the fresco painting in the anatomical theatre that is devoted to outstanding medical personalities.