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Where to study art in Florence

Painting and drawing schools in the Renaissance city.

If ever a city could inspire you to be an artist, it’s Florence. When wandering the streets, everywhere you look you’re greeted by a painting, sculpture or other masterpiece that takes your breath away.

For some, merely admiring the works is not sufficient: they feel compelled to grab their paintbrushes and have a go themselves. You’ll often see sketchbooks set up in front of well-known monuments, and you may even have whipped out your pencil yourself! For those seeking to set off on an artistic journey in the Renaissance city, here’s a round-up of a few of the many schools in the city that will guide you along the path to joining the ranks of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli (you never know)!

Charles H. Cecil Studios in Borgo San Frediano is a perfect spot for honing your skills in portraiture or landscape. The historic atelier is a former church that was adapted as a studio complex by Lorenzo Bartolini. The Atelier training is conduced as an integral journey through artistic practices, taking in contouring, proportions, chiaroscuro, modelling, and of course, colour, all followed by the keen eye of Charles H. Cecil in the small-sized classes. Courses on offer range from 60 hours to 3 years long, with artists like Titian, Rubens and Rembrandt given particular focus. 

A more contemporary option is the LABA fine arts academy (Libera Accademia di Belle Arti), located in piazza di Badia a Ripoli. It declares its educational mission as experimentation, with a small number of students per group ensuring plenty of personal teaching time. Bachelor’s and master’s degrees can be carried out here, with painting and the visual arts blended to encompass video-art, performances and etching, with digital designing brought in as well.

Photo credits: http://www.charlescecilstudios.com/

The painting and drawing course at Accademia Riaci focuses on modern art, but takes in many traditional aspects. Situated on via delle Panche 140, the school passes on the techniques and skills you need to further your career in the fine arts. With a wide variety of courses available and even e-learning options, give the time, dedication and passion to your art, while under the expert guidance of experienced artists.

The Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze is undoubtedly one of the most renowned and historic schools in Florence. It can be found on via Ricasoli 66, and was first founded in 1339, with the Academy of Design subsequently founded by Giorgio Vasari in 1563 with the support of Cosimo I dei Medici who headed the academy along with Michelangelo. We could go on listing the illustrious names who passed through this premises, but let’s fast forward to the present. There are now six main courses that focus on painting, bringing students to an in-depth understanding of the practice.


Photo credits: https://www.artac.org/location?pgid=k5s4l3v2-f8e9148b-adcd-4607-bcb5-ecf88abd61c8

Florence Classical Arts Academy is an accredited and international Visual Arts Academy which combines the ancient teaching method of the Russian school, born 300 years ago at the Imperial Court, with the masters of the Renaissance. The Florence Classical Arts Academy was founded in 2009 by its Director Nadezhda Molugova.


Wherever you choose to pick up your paintbrush, your work will be imbued with the centuries of cultural heritage that can be found in every brick in the city.