A higher education program in arts: The University of Arts creation and the National Scholarship System

The University of Arts (UArtes) is a national emblematic project that seeks to generate a national and international environment that values and supports the role of art professionals, academics and researchers, highlighting their contribution to the economy and the transformation of society, in the aim of generating a real change in the productive matrix. In 2016, this educational entity has so far 226 students in musical and sound arts, 607 students in visual arts, 597 students in the film career, 82 students in theatrical creation, 144 students in literature and 219 in musical and sound production, yielding a total accumulated of 1,875 students. On the other hand, the National Scholarship System, which constitutes a national policy to strengthen human talent, has included among its priorities the education in arts. In the period between 2012 and June 2016, this program has conferred 18,958 scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate studies abroad (11,814 granted by Senescyt).The main level of studies of beneficiaries is master’s degree with 63%, followed by 19% undergraduate and doctoral degrees with 13%. For the period 2012-2016, the Ecuadorian Government has awarded a total 486 scholarships for studies in art and culture abroad, of which 169 beneficiaries have already returned to the country. According to the classification by gender, 51% of beneficiaries are men, and 49% are women. The primary level of education of beneficiaries of art and culture is master’s degree with 57%, followed by 32% undergraduate and doctorate 11%. The area with more beneficiaries is Music and Performing Arts with 29%, followed by fine arts with 26% and audiovisual production techniques and media with 23% (See Annex 6).