Art academies are seen as hubs of creativity and innovation. They’re the places where the next generation of contemporary artists can find their passions and build their portfolios. Art academies also play a huge role in pushing the bounds of creative expression and inspiring a new way of looking at the world. From Leonardo da Vinci to Frida Kahlo to Damien Hirst, art academies around the world have had a place in art historical landmarks and some of the most renowned institutions in the world. But which are the most famous art academies in the world? In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the very best and tell you all you need to know.
Art Academies
Art academies are institutions of higher learning dedicated to teaching and researching fine arts, design and craft disciplines. While some academies focus on traditional forms of art such as painting, sculpture, or drawing, others explore the intersections between the visual and digital arts. The most famous art academies, many of which are world-renowned, are usually devoted to the overall education of their students, training them in the technical and theoretical knowledge they will need to become professional artists.
The Most Famous Art Academies in the World
- Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), Beijing, China
As one of the most prestigious art schools in all of Asia, the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing (CAFA) was founded in 1918 and is now one of the longest-standing art academies in the world. It offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in Visual Arts, Design, Art History and more. CAFA is home to some of the most ground-breaking works of contemporary art in the world and has been a hotbed of creativity and talent for more than a century.
- Academy of Fine Arts of Brera, Milan, Italy
The Academy of Fine Arts of Brera in Milan, Italy is an art school located in the same Brera district that is home to the Brera Art Gallery filled with works from the masters of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Founded in 1776, it is one of the oldest art academies in the world. The school has been a hotbed of talent and ideas since its inception and a time. Some of its most famous alumni include the famous Italian Futurist painter Umberto Boccioni, famous Italian sculptor Medardo Rosso, and contemporary artists like Francesco Vezzoli.
- San Francisco Art Institute, California, USA
The San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI), located in San Francisco, California, is a leader in the visual and media arts. Founded in 1871, SFAI has been involved in some of the most notable moments in American art history. It was here, in 1915, that avant-garde photographer and painter Edward Weston started the country’s first photography department. SFAI has also played a big role in the development of feminist art, conceptual art, body art, and performance art. Today, SFAI contains twelve distinct departments devoted to the study of creative practices within the realms of filmmaking, art history and criticism, painting, and printmaking.
- Slade School of Fine Art, London, England
The Slade School of Fine Art, located in London, England, is a world-renowned art school that has been training artists since its founding in 1871. In its almost 150-year history, the Slade has been home to some of the world’s most influential artists, including Henry Moore, D.H. Lawrence, Stanley Spencer, Eduardo Paolozzi and many more. Today, the Slade continues to be one of the world’s leading centers of innovation and experimentation in the visual arts and its students are some of the most highly-regarded in the art world.
- École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris, France
The École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, often referred to simply as the “Beaux Arts”, is an art school located in Paris, France. Founded in 1816, it was the first school to integrate the study of history and aesthetics into an artistic curriculum and has been one of the most influential art schools in the world ever since. Students at the Beaux Arts have had the opportunity to study under some of the most famous artists and teachers of the time, such as Antoine-Jean Gros, François-Joseph Navez, and Camille Corot. Today, the Beaux Arts remains a leader of art education and research in France and its students can be found exhibiting their works in some of the most renowned art galleries in the world.
- Escola Superior de Desenho Industrial, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Escola Superior de Desenho Industrial (ESDI) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is one of the country’s top art institutions for design and has been a leader in the field for more than 50 years. ESDI’s curriculum is divided into five main subjects including Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Visual Arts and Product Design. The school is a pioneer of sustainability initiatives, using the environment as both a source of inspiration and a benchmark for its activities. It boasts some of Brazil’s most influential contemporary designers and has launched the careers of many of the country’s rising stars.
- Royal College of Art, London, England
The Royal College of Art (RCA) in London, England is the oldest school of art in the world, having been founded in 1837. It is the only postgraduate art school in the United Kingdom and is considered one of the most prestigious in the world. It counts amongst its alumni some of the most celebrated names in the art world, including Henry Moore, Brian Eno, Frank Auerbach, Lawrence Sterne and Tracey Emin. The school has powerful ties to the world of industry and commerce, meaning RCA graduates are well-positioned for some of the most lucrative positions in the art world.
For over centuries, art academies have been instrumental in shaping the course of creativity and their influence has been felt throughout the world. In this article, we’ve taken a look at some of the most famous art academies in the world, from Milan to London and from Paris to Rio de Janeiro. Whether they’re dedicated to traditional or contemporary forms of art, these art schools have become some of the most renowned institutions in the world, launching the careers of some of the world’s greatest painters, sculptors and designers.
