VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

The American University in Cairo (AUC) is located in one of the mostvibrant cities in the Middle East, with a rich history of diverse cultural,political, and social influences that have established it as a hub for art,music, and performance—unmatched in the region.

AUC's Department of the Arts is comprised of film, graphic design,music, theatre, and visual arts programs that are all open to studyabroad students. Home to the region's only music technology programand typography lab, as well as one of the few Arabic font designprograms in the world, AUC can introduce study abroad students toemerging fields in the region's art space while also offering all of thetypes of courses they need to develop their artistic expression.

In addition to coursework, AUC's Department of the Arts hosts publicevents including music concerts, art exhibitions, theatrical productions,film series, and festivals for the AUC and greater Cairo communities.

WHY STUDY AT AUC?

Want to be able to find courses that complement their degreeprograms at home while drawing on new and different inspirationsfor their work. Have an interest in building a network of creative artists who comefrom a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

IDEAL CANDIDATES FOR THIS PROGRAM...

SAMPLE COURSES

Advanced Painting and DrawingArab Music TheoryCinema in Egypt and the Arab WorldContemporary Issues in Arab ArtHistory of Arabic Calligraphy (the only university to offer this)History of Graphic Design in the Arab WorldWomen and Film

Location:

Terms:

Start Dates:

Credits:

Eligibility:

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ApplicationDeadlines:

Housing:

sarahshalash@aucegypt.edu

1.347.237.0963

https://www.aucegypt.edu/admissions/study-abroad

CONTACTSarah Shalash, AUC New York Office

@auc_egypt

FAST FACTS

Cairo, Egypt

Fall, Spring, Full Year,Summer, Winter

Fall: Late AugSpring: Late Jan

12-15/Semester

Good academicstanding, 30 creditscompleted

English (except forArabic courses)

Summer: Early MayFall: Early JuneSpring: Late Dec

On- or near-campus residences available

FAST FACTS

CAIRO: YOURCLASSROOMOther information deemedrelevant to stakeholders

Boasting a long history of artistic expression—hearkening backto the days of Egypt's ancient ancestors, continuing through theGolden Age of Arab cinema, and now re-emerging among thecountry's modern artists—Cairo offers students an exciting artseducation that complements classroom learning.

The Department of the Arts puts on two plays per semester inthe AUC Theatres–one Arabic and one English. Study abroadstudents with or without Arabic language proficiency canparticipate in either.

AUC's Tahrir Cultural Center, located in the iconic AUC TahrirSquare Campus–which has witnessed performances by some ofthe region's most legendary singers–offers an array of culturalactivities, events, and services to the Cairo community.

"Visions: The Cairo Egyptian Film Festival"–the largest annualfestival of its kind in Egypt–is sponsored by AUC’s film programand showcases the works of both established and up-and-coming talents.

Held each spring, the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival(D-CAF) is a multi-disciplinary festival that brings a wide rangeof independent visual art exhibitions, film screenings, theatre,dance, music, and workshops to various venues acrossdowntown Cairo. Gathering local, regional, and internationalartists, the festival seeks to enshrine the place of art and culturein Egypt's evolving society.

Afro-American music history Arab art and politicsArab music theoryArabic typography and calligraphyCross-cultural art exchange Design education and curriculumdevelopmentEgyptian and Arab cinemasFilm theoryHistory of Arab graphic design andvisual cultureInfluence of Arabic art on earlyEuropean musicOrientalism and Western discourse onArab cinemasReal-time performance practice withmusic technologySpatialization in recording andperformanceTheater for social justiceTranscultural communicationTransnational cinema: politics andpedagogyTrauma and the artsUser experience designVisual communicationWorld theater performance

While AUC is an English-language university, you cancomplement and enhance your Arts coursework with one ormore Arabic language courses. AUC's world-renowned programaccommodates students at all levels of language proficiency.

The program also includes free or highly subsidized excursionsand extracurricular activities including calligraphy, music, andcommunity engagement opportunities.

ARABIC LANGUAGE STUDY

“I was extremely impressed with the diversity ofcourses available to me as an internationalstudent. I was able to learn a lot about Egyptiansociety, both classical and contemporary, whichmakes everyday life more exciting when youcan understand and appreciate the thingsaround you. The professors are extremelyknowledgeable and really helped me engage inthe course material - a lot of which I had neverbeen exposed to prior to my semester here.

- Study Abroad Student, 2019

CAIRO'S VIBRANT ART SCENE FACULTY INTERESTS