Civil society and fine arts, hafriyat artist initiative

Re-discussion of Civil Society started in 1980s. The concept was a new idea for Turkish social sciences and emerged in 1990s. The military intervention on 12th September 1980 has eliminated trade unions, associations, political parties, and political public opinion. During Turkey?s democratisation period, civil society concept became one of the most discussed topics from 1990s to nowadays. Civil society and Non-Governmental Organizations have been expanded to many sectors including art sphere. Private sectors and government budgets, NGOs contributed to artists. However, after 1950s, the government budgets declined dramatically, cultural policies especially for Turkish art and artist were not produced. After 1980s neo-liberal policies established which motivated private sector to support art scene, encouraged sponsorship. The idea of this thesis is to explain civil society, how the concept emerged to Turkish social, cultural and political ground and how civil initiatives affected. After these explanations, one of the important artist initiatives Hafriyat Art Group will be introduced, their exhibitions will be evaluated.