Art and Design in Florence
The new art and design program emphasizes the relationship between creative practices, contemporary discourses, and historical context. Through technical and conceptual research across disciplines, students develop a complex visual language capable of addressing broader cultural, political, social concerns. Students are encouraged to explore various research methodologies, learning from the past to explore the questions of our time. A diverse faculty and student body create a vibrant learning environment.
Studio courses take place in the iconic Studio Arts College International (SACI) campus, two historical palazzi in the heart of Florence. Curriculum is designed in collaboration with the school of record Paris College of Art, an international college enrolling students from more than 40 countries.
Academics
The curriculum enables students at various levels of their studies to discover and develop a strong visual language and apply theory and criticism in order to shape their ability to think and work critically. Broad-based courses in art and design mirror diverse creative practices, fostering technical and conceptual research across disciplines, including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, installation, video, performance, sound, digital media, typography, bookmaking and more. Museum and gallery visits are an integral aspect of the curriculum and create opportunities for cross-cultural exchange.
Art History and Italian language courses help ground students in an informed exploration of both historical and contemporary art and design. They are encouraged to embrace the city as a classroom, with studio and academic work extending beyond the walls of the study centers into the city’s streets and squares, museums, galleries and art community.
Faculty are active practitioners in their own fields of art and design and strive to create an interdisciplinary dialogue with courses in continuous evolution to create a vibrant learning environment and interpersonal understanding.
2023 – 2024 Course Offerings
Selection of semester to be specified on application.
ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF IMAGES
No prerequisites
This interdisciplinary studio addresses the construction of images and questions of context, representation, point of view, and issues of permanence and impermanence. It is conceived to mirror diverse artistic practices with research across disciplines, encouraging technical and conceptual development, exploring the how and the what of art making. The semester studio practice course is divided into two intensive workshops, with a specific two-dimensional focus, punctuated by mid-semester cross-disciplinary workshops for all students, and final projects. In the fall the focus is on drawing and painting, in the spring it is on photography and mixed media. Studios offer 6 credits.
Fall 2023
- Drawing + Painting
Spring 2024
- Photography + Mixed Media
ART – TRADITION AND REVOLUTION (Fall 2023 and Spring 2024)
Prerequisites of at least four semesters of 2D or 3D art studios
This interdisciplinary studio course places a strong emphasis on conceptual development through various research methods, in any medium, expanding & refining one’s visual language to create a cohesive body of work. It is conceived to mirror diverse artistic practices, exploring the how, the what, the who, and the why of art making, with extensive research across disciplines, addressing questions of context, representation, and point of view. This course begins with an intensive workshop focusing on the formulation of ideas, exploration of methods, and continues the generation of the artwork. Studios offer 6 credits.
LANGUAGE + LIBERAL STUDIES
In addition to the above courses, all students are required to take an Italian language course (3 credits) and Modernism & Visual Culture, (3 credits) an art history course designed as an overview of the major art movements of the 20th century and the socio-historical contexts in which it was created. Students are encouraged to think critically about the legacy of Modernist ideologies that continue to shape visual culture today. In class lectures are supported by visits to museums, galleries, and international exhibition venues.
ON THE COMMUNICATION OF IMAGES
No prerequisites
This core studio course addresses the communication of images and questions of context, representation, point of view. It is conceived as an introduction to the fundamental tools of digital media. Students conduct technical and conceptual research, exploring the how and the what of communication design. This course is divided into intensive workshops, each with a specific technical focus, punctuated by cross-disciplinary workshops for all students, and final projects. Studios offer 6 credits.
Fall 2023
- Vector Graphics + Typography
Spring 2024
- Digital Image + Publishing Systems
DESIGN – TRADITION AND REVOLUTION (Fall 2023 and Spring 2024)
Prerequisites of at least four semesters of design studio courses
This advanced studio course places a strong emphasis on conceptual development through various research methods, expanding & refining one’s visual language to create a cohesive body of work. It is conceived to mirror diverse design practices, exploring the how, the what, the who, and the why of contemporary design through the lens of the inherited graphic language originating in Renaissance Florence. Intense research into heraldic symbology, embodied type design, calligraphy, and the Renaissance urban plan, stimulates the formulation of projects that dialogue with current trends such as generative design and participatory practices. This course begins with an intensive workshop focusing on the formulation of ideas, exploration of methods, and continues with the generation of the project. Studios offer 6 credits.
LANGUAGE + LIBERAL STUDIES
In addition to the above courses, all students are required to take an Italian language course (3 credits) and Modernism & Visual Culture, (3 credits) an art history course designed as an overview of the major art movements of the 20th century and the socio-historical contexts in which it was created. Students are encouraged to think critically about the legacy of Modernist ideologies that continue to shape visual culture today. In class lectures are supported by visits to museums, galleries, and international exhibition venues.
Program At A Glance
- Program Price: Fall $16,650; Spring $16,750
- 12 course credits
- Transferable college credit offered through Paris College of Art (PCA) – accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and candidate for accreditation by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Please verify if your home institution requires regional accreditation for credit transfer.
- Housing: shared apartments or family homestay
- Art and Design focused guided day excursions outside Florence to sites such as Milan, Prato and Bologna, or similar
- Welcome and farewell meals, and cultural activities such as a cooking class, guided walking tours throughout Florence, and museum visits
- Medical Insurance
- 24-hour emergency and mental health counseling support
- Pre-departure and overseas orientation program
- Overseas information and resource center with Accent Florence on-site staff
- Small class sizes, close relationships with faculty who lead frequent visits and tours outside the classroom
- Faculty with extensive research and field experience in their area, many of whom are practicing artists and designers
- Public lecture series with local and international artists
- Focused visits to museums, archives, neighborhood tours, and on-site lectures
Students choose between two housing options: shared apartments or homestay. In shared apartments, students live in double or triple rooms within apartments hosting 4-7 other international students. Each apartment is equipped with a kitchen and bathroom. Students also have the choice of living with a Italian family in a homestay. This is a unique opportunity to immerse in Italian language and culture. Homestay placements include four weekly dinners and daily breakfast.
- Calendar - Fall 2023
- Pre-departure academic orientation: late June
- Departure from U.S.: August 27
- Arrival in Florence: August 28
- Overseas orientation – health, safety, housing: August 29
- Academic orientation: August 30 - September 1
- Classes begin: September 4
- Final exams and critiques: December 12-15
- Program ends: December 16
- Calendar - Spring 2024
- Pre-departure academic orientation: late November
- Departure from U.S.: January 7
- Arrival in Florence: January 8
- Overseas orientation – health, safety, housing: January 9
- Academic orientation: January 10-12
- Classes begin: January 15
- Spring break: April 1-5
- Final exams and critiques: May 1-3
- Program ends: May 4
All participants must check in at the Accent Florence Study Center on designated arrival day between 9am and 5pm (Note: most transatlantic flights arrive one day after their departure date). Airfare is not included in the program fee.
Program Policies
There are several ways to make your way to Florence!
To apply students must be at least 18 years of age. Depending on where you are currently matriculated, here is what you need to know.
U.S. based institutions
If you are matriculated with a U.S. college or university, you will need to make sure that your school will accept credits earned and submit a form signed by your academic advisor confirming that you are approved to participate in the program.
International Students
If you are not currently matriculated in a U.S. college or university, you must submit documentation proving that you are matriculated at an institution of higher education. It is your responsibility to ensure that your home institution will accept the credits earned.
Advanced Studios
To qualify for the more advanced Art/Design – Tradition and Revolution studio courses you must demonstrate that you meet the pre-requisites by submitting a transcript listing previous relevant course work.
Students who did not complete high school in English, or are not currently enrolled in an institution of higher education where English is the primary language of instruction, are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge test scores. Minimum scores are as follows:
TOEFL minimum score: 92
IELTS minimum score: 6.5 band score
Cambridge minimum score 175 or B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficient exam
For all English exams, students are required to submit an unofficial copy of scores with their application, and also request that your official score be sent directly to Paris College of Art. Scores may be submitted at any point before or during the application process. The program reserves the right to request English testing on a case-by-case basis regardless of a student’s academic record if they have hesitations about the student’s language proficiency.
Students are responsible for determining visa requirements and processing their student visa and any expenses incurred. Accent Global Learning will provide necessary letters of admission and housing but any program payments are non-refundable, following published payment and cancellation timelines, even if visa is not issued.
Admitted students will be required to prove insurance before enrolling, following these parameters:
- Students matriculated at U.S. university will be issued a GEO Blue insurance policy through Accent Global Learning
- Students with EU citizenship access national healthcare in Italy and are not required to provide advanced proof of health insurance
- Students not covered by one of the above categories are required to provide proof of health insurance policy that covers the entire length of the program
Application Procedure and Requirements
Rolling admissions open today. Apply by March 10, 2023 (Fall) or October 10, 2023 (Spring), including payment of the $50 application fee.
Within two business days, you will receive an email with access to the application portal. On the portal you will:
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Submit a Portfolio of 10-15 recent works showing your readiness to undertake the program for which you are applying.
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Write a Personal Statement (approximately 500 words) elaborating your goals for your time in this program.
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Submit a copy of your most recent academic transcript. For the admissions phase this can be an unofficial copy. However, an official copy must be submitted before enrolling in classes.
Upload all materials within 5 days of receiving portal login.
Receive your admissions decision & non-refundable $2,000 deposit deadlines:
Fall 2023 – March 22, 2023 and pay non-refundable deposit by March 29, 2023
Spring 2024 – October 27, 2023 and pay non-refundable deposit by October 31, 2023
Payment Schedule
Fall 2023
Non-refundable first payment due March 29, 2023 – $2,000
Second payment due May 19, 2023 – $7,325
Final payment due July 14, 2023 – $7,325
Spring 2024
Non-refundable first payment due October 31, 2023 – $2,000
Second payment due November 10, 2023 – $7,375
Final payment due December 8, 2023 – $7,375
The payment schedule is the applicant’s contractual obligation. Failure to make each payment when due shall automatically cancel participant from the program. All payments are effective the day they are received by the Accent U.S. Office. Accent, in its sole discretion, may reinstate an applicant subject to availability of space and late enrollment fees. The program participant shall be the client of Accent for all purposes.
Program price does not include
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Round-trip airfare
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Personal expenses, passports, visas, books, supplies, and anything not listed as included
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Meals, other than described
Cancellations
Cancellation Fees:
Fall 2023
Cancellation between March 3 – May 19, 2023: $2,000
Cancellation between May 20 – July 14, 2023: $3,000
Cancellation after July 14, 2023: No refund
Spring 2024
Cancellation between October 31 – November 9, 2023: $2,000
Cancellation between November 10 – December 17, 2023: $3,000
Cancellation after December 17, 2023: No refund
All cancellations must be made in writing to Accent and are effective the date of receipt by Accent. Participants are liable for payments until written cancellation is received by Accent.
Covid-19
The health and wellbeing of all students, faculty and staff are paramount to Accent Global Learning. Accent has worked with a Medical Advisor following WHO and local health authority guideline to put protocols in place. Students will learn about Covid-19 related protocols, health resources and local regulations through pre-departure materials and in on-site orientations.
All participants are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Should a participant test positive for Covid-19, they will be required to self-isolate at their own expense.
At any point before or during the program, should PCA or Accent’s protocols deem necessary to cancel the program for any health or safety reasons, Accent and PCA will attempt to refund all recoverable fees and costs.
Questions?
Contact Lilia Lamas, Senior Programs Coordinator
lilia.lamas@accentglobal.com