Ljubljana University chancellor Ivan Svetlik spoke about how the academy gave the university, whose member it became 40 years ago, a new dimension and also left an indelible mark on society.

Culture Minister Julijana Bizjak Mlakar stressed that it played a key role in the development of Slovenian 20th century arts and also promoted Slovenian culture abroad.

The minister added that in time when humanity and cultural diversity are increasingly being retreating in the face of globalisation, preserving quality and originality is becoming even more precious.

Education, Science and Sport Minister Maja Makovec Brenčič announced that the arts academies of the Ljubljana University can look forward to better times. She mentioned plans to finally secure new or at least upgraded premises, which the academies have been waiting for for more than a decade.

The academy of fine arts was established on 8 October 1945. It got a design department in 1984, which consists today of the industrial and unique design department and the department for visual communication. Since 1996 it has also had a restoration department.