The Origins of Higher LIS Education and Higher Education in Culturology and Arts of Ukraine (on the Occasion of the 90th Anniversary of Kharkiv State Academy of Culture)

Relevance. There is a need for a systems analysis of the history and current state of the Kharkiv State Academy of Culture (KhSAC), which is considered to be the founder and leader of higher LIS (Library and Information Science) education and higher education in culturology and arts of Ukraine within 90 years of its existence (1929-2019).The aim of this study is to analyze the origins of higher LIS education and higher education in culturology and arts as well as the history and current state of KhSAC on the occasion of its 90th anniversary.Research methodology. The historical milestones and present-day diverse activities of Kharkiv State Academy of Culture are studied by the means of systems, comparative and historical approaches and a problem analysis.Results. The study deals with the ninety year history and current state of KhSAC, which is considered to be the founder and leader of higher LIS education and higher education in culturology and arts in Ukraine. Particular attention is paid to the significant achievements in educational, scientific, administrative and creative activities. The paper presents information on the organizational transformations of KhSAC, its academic staff. It includes over 75% of Doctors of Science, Candidates of science, people’s artists, honored artists, honored workers of culture of Ukraine. During the years of its existence the Academy has educated about 50,000 specialists, among them over 500 international students from more than 40 countries of Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.The Academy offers degree programmes at Bachelor and Master levels in 16 fields of training and specialties of 7 fields of study, namely Cultural Studies, Museum Studies and Historic Preservation, Management of Socio-Cultural Activities, Audiovisual Arts and Production, Choreography, Music Art, Performing Art, Information, Library and Archive Science, Information Systems and Technologies, Psychology, Social Work, Journalism, Tourism, Management.Postgraduate Studies (PhD Course) and Doctoral Studies offer programmes in 4 specialities. They are as follows: Culturology, Music Art, Information, Library and Archive Science and Social Work.The paper describes the features of KhSAC’s research activities. The structure of the Academy includes Postgraduate Studies and Doctoral Studies; two specialized academic boards authorized to accept for consideration and to conduct the defence of theses competing for an academic degree of Doctor (Candidate) of Science. Two academic journals are published, namely “Kultura Ukrainy (Culture of Ukraine)” covering the current issues of culturology and art criticism, and “Visnyk Kharkivskoi Derzhavnoi Akademii Kulury (Bulletin of Kharkiv State Academy of Culture)” covering the current issues of social communications. About 10 international, all-Ukrainian and regional scientific conferences are held every year. Available to students are a library, an e-material reading room, several computer laboratories, an Internet-centre, an editorial board. The place of the Academy in the European and world professional environment is identified.Novelty. An attempt is made to study the ninety year history and current state of Kharkiv State Academy of Culture, which is considered to be the founder and leader of higher LIS education and higher education in culturology and arts of Ukraine. Particular attention is paid to the significant achievements in educational, scientific, administrative and creative activities. The practical significance. The main results of this study can be used by institutions of higher education in culture and arts of Ukraine for further improving academic, scientific, administrative and creative activities.