European League of Institutes of the Arts

What is ELIA?

The European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA) is an independent membership organisation representing approximately 350 higher arts education institutions from over 45 countries and founded in 1990. ELIA represents all disciplines in the arts, including architecture, dance, design, fine art, media arts, music and theatre. Through its members, ELIA represents unique bodies of knowledge and facilitates dialogues, mobility and activities between artists, teachers, administrators, senior managers, key decision makers and more than 250000 students. 

What does ELIA stand for? 

• strengthening the position and influence of the arts and higher arts education at regional, national, European and international levels 
• promoting the values of higher arts education within the European Society of Knowledge and Creativity 
• promoting the function of the arts as a central aspect contributing to the strategy for cultural and economic development and regeneration 
• upholding and promoting the diversity of cultures and to foster communication between European and non-European cultures viewed as partners in a global cultural society 
• supporting the establishing and the maintaining of adequate social and political conditions for the free development of education in the arts and the specific needs of education in the arts and of art production 

ELIA’s main activities include: 

• international advocacy, representation and promotion of higher arts education 
• creating platforms for discussion and exchange through organising biennial conferences; specialist focussed symposia, seminars and workshops; expert services and sharing good practice 
• initiating a range of research and development projects relating to shaping the European area in higher arts education 
• online services including a comprehensive website distributing ELIA’s activities and newsletter 
• authoring and publishing specialist publications

How ELIA works:

The Representative Board consists of a maximum of 21 members elected during the General Assembly from and by registered full members of the organisation, ensuring a proportional representation of disciplines and regions. The tenure is for a period of two years. 

The Executive Group, including the President, comprises a maximum of nine members elected by and from the Representative Board.

Full Members can normally be all European Institutes of Higher Education in the Arts providing advanced, degree or degree equivalent diplomas or courses of training recognised at the highest professional level. Full members have the right to vote in the General Assembly.  

ELIA Membership 

Full members have the possibility to become an ICFAD (International Council of Fine Art Deans) Associated Member for the reduced fee.

Associate Members are natural as well as legal persons other than Full Members if they are accepted as such by the League's Board and ratified by the General Assembly. Associate members have no right to vote in the General Assembly.

Non-European Members can be all institutes outside Europe that otherwise fulfil the criteria of full membership as stated above. Non-European Members do not have the right to vote in the General Assembly.