One of the main characteristics in the visual arts in North Macedonia in the last years is artistic diversity, ranging from “traditional” painting and sculpture to contemporary works using video, installations, performances, computer art and alternative forms of expression.
There is a relatively well-developed network of museums and galleries that, in one way or another, deal with visual arts. However, only 3 institutions are entirely and professionally dedicated to studying and representing the visual arts: the National Gallery of Macedonia, the Museum of Contemporary Arts (both in Skopje) and the National Gallery in Tetovo. The work of other institutions is important too but the visual arts are not their only field of interest. Although not entirely dedicated to visual arts, it is part of the overall programme of activities of e.g. the Museum of the City of Skopje, the Cultural Information Centre in Skopje, the Art Gallery in Bitola (as part of the Bitola Museum), the Art Gallery in Strumica (as part of the Cultural Center) etc.
Fine art gatherings are organised once a year (approximately for 15 or 20 days) in artist colonies, too. Invited artists (local and foreign) attend and create works that afterwards become part of the colony collection. They are significant actors in the production and, especially, the popularisation of the visual arts. It should be pointed out that some of these colonies and especially the older ones (Prilep, Strumica and Resen) possess great and important collections of local and international art.
According to the data of the State Statistical Office (No. 2.1.21.14), there were 314 organised fine art exhibitions in 2020, which represents a decrease of 41.7% compared with 2019. The number of artists-participants at the exhibitions in the same period declined by 44.1%, while attendance fell by 76.3%. In 2020, there were 18 organised fine art colonies, and the number of participants decreased by 32.3% compared with 2019
There are no special regulations for visual arts.
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