The main assignments, principal aims, and chief fields of activity of the Expert Committee of Visual Arts at the Iranian Academy of the Arts have been worked out in conformance with the goals and tasks of the Academy that are stipulated in its statute and are to be carried out during the long, middle, or short terms. They are: 1) Submitting proposals aimed at evaluating and enhancing the development of Iranian modern visual arts. 2) Directing strategy for the assessment, preservation, and development of visual arts, with special emphasis on the manifestation of religious and national spirit in art. 3) Acknowledging spiritual wisdom of visual arts in the religion-oriented societies, in the Orient, and in Islamic Iran. 4) Studying about modern art schools and new trends in the development of visual arts throughout the world. 5) Thoroughly investigating the historical and aesthetic backgrounds of visual arts, particularly those of Iran and the Islamic world. 6) Submitting proposals and creating favorable conditions for the development of connections, dialogue, and cooperation among cultural workers, centers, and associations of Iran with cultural and artistic unions of other countries, primarily those of the Islamic world; achieving improved relationships between Iranian and overseas partners by conducting exhibitions and specialized conferences, organizing scientific and research trips, etc. 7) Stimulating the development of criticism in the field of visual arts. 8) Identifying, studying, and analyzing the evolution of visual arts in different periods. 9) Periodically assessing and classifying the most prominent achievements in visual arts in Iran. 10) Holding specialized festivals, exhibitions, seminars, and meetings on various aspects of visual arts. 11) Examining and evaluating the teaching of visual arts on different levels and for various academic ranks in Iran; investigating teaching methods in Iran and comparing them to those practiced in the world; inquiring into the real needs and problems in the field of teaching the visual arts in Iran, with the purpose of stimulating its development, encouraging initiative, and improving methods of teaching visual arts in the country. 12) Choosing the best artist and artwork of the year. 13) Supporting projects and dissertations for the Master of Arts and doctorate degrees, as well as research by persons and organizations in the field of visual arts, particularly relating to the past and present of visual arts of the Islamic world. 14) Recommending outstanding cultural workers, college professors, researchers, and students for scholarships and study grants. 15) Encouraging writing and translations, and publishing specialized editions in the area of visual arts. 16) Organizing specialized subcommittees in the various disciplines in the field of visual arts and protecting of specialized organizations and associations in this domain. 17) Awarding prizes to cultural centers and conferring honorary titles to the prominent cultural workers, distinguished professors, and talented researchers in visual arts. 18) Awarding prizes and honorary titles to prominent researchers, translators, and cultural workers engaged in the field of visual arts. 19) Introducing artists, artworks, and references in the field of Iranian visual arts. 20) Conducting research into the foundations of Iranian-Islamic visual arts. 21) Submitting proposals and implementive projects, such as holding seminars and conferences; making possible the sale and purchase of artworks; assessing, analyzing, and criticizing the artworks; publishing and distributing catalogues and other aids relating to visual arts; improving teaching of visual art - all aimed at developing visual arts and emphasizing their role in everyday life. 22) Introducing Iranian visual arts and Iranian contemporary masters living abroad. 23) Recognizing prominent cultural workers, researchers, and professors working in the field of visual arts and presenting honorary diplomas to the outstanding cultural workers who constitute the greatest asset of Iranian modern visual art. 25) Attempting to determine the course of the formation and development, and the comparative history of visual arts in Iran and other countries. 26) Attempting to establish a comprehensive museum of Islamic arts. 27) Making every effort to create an information database, center of statistics, and specialized library for visual arts. 28) Conducting a periodic poll among cultural workers, professors, and students of visual arts with the purpose to explore their needs. 29) Cooperating in the publication of specialized editions in visual arts; supporting specialized books and periodicals, associations, and cultural centers working in the field of visual arts. 30) Stimulating the creativity and the production of artworks relating to visual arts. 31) Directing strategy aimed at improving the preparation of specialists and attraction of teaching stuff to enhance specialized education, replacement of retired experts, and development of visual arts in the country. 32) Supervising academic faculties and departments specializing in visual and applied arts. 33) Selecting prominent teachers, researchers, and translators, and choosing the best articles, periodicals, books, collectors, and exhibitions of the year. 34) Analyzing the status of visual arts in the past and present of the Islamic world