The draft bill for the establishment of the Higher School of Performing Arts (HSPA) will soon be open for public consultation and feedback, as recently announced by Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis.

The Profile of the Higher School of Performing Arts

The HSPA will become the country’s 25th Higher Education Institution, comprising five departments derived from existing institutions: the National Theatre, the National Opera, the State School of Dance, the Northern Greece State Theatre, and the Thessaloniki State Conservatory. Notably, dance will be taught for the first time.

Who Qualifies for Admission

High school graduates (from general or vocational high schools, or holders of equivalent domestic or international diplomas) can enter HSPA without the national entrance exams, instead taking special exams similar to those required for the Athens School of Fine Arts.

Additionally, graduates from the five founding schools mentioned will qualify for direct entry, specifically placing them in the fifth semester if their field of study aligns. If it does not, they will enter through transfer exams.

Instructors at HSPA

Faculty will include artistic teaching staff from the founding schools, including esteemed personalities in the performing arts as faculty members, bypassing standard regulations under law 4957/2022.

The Future of Public and Private Higher Artistic Education Schools

Public and private Higher Artistic Education Schools will be transformed into Advanced Schools of Artistic Education (ASAE) under the Ministry of Education. Diplomas from ASAE and Musical Educational Institutions (MEI) will correspond to level 5 of the National Qualifications Framework. For those wishing to continue to level 6, an “academic pathway” will be available through exams or direct placement.

Lastly, a registry of artistic qualifications will be established to set standards for hiring performing arts graduates in public sector roles as a distinct category of personnel (Artistic Education – AE).