Invitation to join Historians of Islamic Art Association (HIAA)

We would like to extend a warm invitation to join the Historians of Islamic Art Association (HIAA). HIAA is a private, non-profit, non-political international organization, whose purpose is to promote the study and teaching of the arts, architecture and archaeology of the Islamic world, and to facilitate communication among those engaged in scholarly or other professional activities related to this field.

To promote some of its fundamental goals, HIAA holds a Majlis (or gathering) in conjunction with the annual meetings of the Middle Eastern Studies Association (MESA) and/or College Art Association (CAA). At these meetings members present short papers or hold round-table discussions on themes and issues relevant to the study of the arts and visual culture of the Islamic world. This year we will hold our annual Majlis at the University of Chicago (February 13).

We have begun a program of biennial symposia, having held the first one in 2008. In fall 2010, we will be holding the second symposium in Washington, D.C. (October 21-23) at the Smithsonian Institution�s Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Details of both events, along with other resources, can be found on our website:

http://www .historiansofislamicart.org/portal/default.asp

HIAA also co-sponsors other colloquia and symposia by helping to defray travel costs of its members to participate in them.

To encourage scholarly contributions to the field of Islamic art, architecture, and archaeology, HIAA awards two prizes: The Margaret B. Sevcenko Prize in Islamic Art and Culture, and the HIAA Graduate Student Travel Grants. Please encourage your students to apply for the prizes.

HIAA also has a listserve, H-Islamart, which falls under the umbrella of H- Net (Humanities and Social Sciences Online). H-Islamart aims to promote high standards of scholarship and instruction in the history of Islamic Art; to facilitate communication among its members through various announcements; and to promote scholarly cooperation among persons and organizations concerned with the study of Islamic art. As of Fall 2008, the listserve is active on a daily basis and boasts over 560 members. H-Islamart can be accessed at the following URL:

http://www.h- net.org/~islamart/

In addition to a membership directory, we are developing a listing of new publications from various countries; to date Italian and Turkish language publications have been posted for 2009, and other languages are forthcoming. Additionally we have compiled a census of academic and museum positions in the field, which we hope to extend to all countries where the field of Islamic art, architecture and archaeology is taught and where its materials are exhibited and collected.

We hope you will consider joining in these activities. Download the membership form from our website today!

With best wishes,

Renata Holod
President

Glaire D. Anderson
Secretary-Treasurer