WHY ROME?
Rome has been a Mecca for painters and sculptors since the 17th century and continues to serve as muse and subject for beginning and established artists.
The city is an extraordinary synthesis of cultures from around the Mediterranean, and has a history of diversity spanning two millennia. Rome fuses the ancient and the modern worlds and has captivated artists for centuries. Rome stimulates the senses. Its fountains, churches, and architecture are iconic testimonies to its great heritage, which is celebrated worldwide.
The importance of Rome to the history of art is invaluable. With the city’s endlessly varied resources, those involved with the study of art are able to pursue focused work, surrounded by masterpieces of Italian art in their original context. Rome Art Program students become part of the fabric of the city as they paint and draw directly from millennia-old landmarks, and in the parks and streets of lesser-known areas of Rome where locals live and work.
Many of our students coming to Rome are abroad for the first time and we offer what few study abroad programs can: our campus is the actual city of Rome itself.
OUR APPROACH
Rome Art Program (RAP) is an intensive plein air program designed to inspire students to develop their artistic vision through painting and drawing on the streets of Rome. Our ideology is based on the compelling impact that firsthand observation and perception have on drawing and painting, where the interaction of figuration and abstraction intermingle.
We are an independent program, led by working artists who are passionate about Rome and the impact it has on artists of all ages.
Faculty and staff serve as mentors to students during
their study in Rome.
Many of our students describe their time with RAP as a supportive ‘bootcamp’ that accelerates the development of their work. We teach students how to paint in the plein air tradition, on the streets of Rome. Students are given a Weekly Schedule with class locations. Prompts are given at the beginning of each class and students respond, using Rome as their subject.
With RAP, participants will discover the many layers of Rome, from ancient ruins to the contemporary city. Students can expect to create a substantial body of work during their session and leave Rome with a suitcase full of ideas for future work.
Student Experiences
CLASS TIME
What to expect during your program:
- 3 hours of daily plein–air painting in watercolor and acrylic (optional)
- 3 hours of daily drawing in plein–air; transcribing masterworks in churches and museums
- Weekly on–site seminars with our art historian
- Weekly afternoon group critiques and visiting artist lecture
- Individual on-site critiques and one-on-one support
- Visits to Rome's world-class museums and local art galleries
- Included field trip(s) to Florence and/or Pompeii
ACADEMIES & GALLERIES
The curriculum is complemented by lectures, receptions at the American and British Academies, and visits to the city’s diverse art galleries and museums.
CRITIQUES
Critiques are vital to an artist’s development and are an important part of the Rome Art Program.
Group critiques are held on Friday afternoons and all students and faculty participate. Students are given an opportunity to speak about their week and each faculty member provides critique to the student.
Mini critiques are often held at the end of classes and allow for students to observe and comment on each other’s work.
All critiques are designed to encourage and challenge students in a positive way and to help each find their unique artist voice.
Community & Support
Participants attend RAP each summer from different parts of the world, often joining from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and Italy.
During their program, students are supported by our knowledgeable faculty who serve as teachers, mentors, and local guides. Our small groups ensure that each student receives the guidance, feedback, and support that is necessary for their artistic development.
Most evenings and weekends are free for students to do as they wish. Outside of class, students enjoy exploring Rome together, swimming at the local beaches, relaxing at their apartment, or sightseeing other Italian cities such as Venice, Milan, Siena, and other surrounding Italian towns.
Many students form close friendships with their peers while in Rome and continue to support each other throughout their artistic journeys.
