(Sarajevo, 17 December 2009) – A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed today between the Art Academy of Sarajevo and Raiffeisen Bank dd Bosna i Hercegovina. Through the Memorandum, the parties agree to exhibit works of art made by the Academy’s most successful students.  The first exhibition to be shown in the Raiffeisen Gallery is part of the art gallery presented at Art Academy Day.  

"We are pleased to be able to give another art gallery to Sarajevo and the country as a whole", said Michael Mueller, Chairman of the Management Board of Raiffeisen Bank. "It is our great pleasure that we can afford students of the Academy with the opportunity to exhibit their works in the Raiffeisen Gallery. In doing so, we help these young artist to establish themselves."

Despite the many problems facing cultural institutions and projects in this country, culture plays a central role in the lives of Bosnians and Herzegovinians. It is intrinsically linked with the country's wish to be part of the modern art scene in Europe and beyond.  "Within the realms of possibility, we seek to support various cultural events and projects, thus demonstrating our wish to preserve the country's cultural scene at the level it deserves", said Dino Osmanbegovic, Member of the Management Board of Raiffeisen Bank.

"We are delighted that Raiffeisen Bank has not only showed an interest in our Exhibition Gallery Project but also provided support to this cultural project, thus strengthening our young artists' feeling of belonging to the country’s cultural establishment", said Nusret Pasic, Dean of the Art Academy.  

"The exhibition gallery in the new Raiffeisen Bank building will enable our students to show their works of art to the public. The most successful students can also win a cash prize, which will indeed facilitate their education and career", Pasic added.
From now on, art lovers will be able to admire the works of art by top students selected by esteemed professors of the Academy.  This year, awards were given to the following students:  Amel Hodzic, Painting; Roman Sulejmanpasic, Sculpture; Velma Dardagan, Graphics; Amila Handzic, Graphic Design; and Eldin Abazovic, Product Design.

Raiffeisen Bank will provide financial support of KM 1,000 to each of these Art Academy students.