DIPLOMA IN VISUAL ARTS

Students who successfully complete the Three-Year Diploma Program are awarded a private institutional Diploma in Visual Arts of European standard. This intensive program offers a highly customized and progressive sequence of learning, with applied training delivered in small groups under the close guidance of expert instructors.

 

Structure of the Three-Year Program

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Year 1 Foundation Year
The program begins with the Foundation Year, where students progress through a structured learning sequence:
from drawing and painting basic geometric forms, to still life, then plaster casts, and finally portraiture.
This year establishes the essential technical and perceptual skills needed for all further study.

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Year 2 Portraiture Focus
The second year places a major emphasis on portraiture, including portraiture with hands, which requires a more advanced understanding of anatomy, structure, and character. Students refine their ability to create expressive, accurate likenesses in both drawing and painting.

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Year 3 Full Figure & Multi-Figured Composition
The third year concentrates on the full human figure and increasingly complex multi-figured compositions.
The program culminates in the Thesis Project, a fully realized multi-figured composition that demonstrates the student's mastery of design, narrative, anatomy, technique, and artistic vision.

 

Core and Supplementary Studies

Across all three years, in addition to the core subjects—Painting, Drawing, Artistic Anatomy, and Composition—students receive a comprehensive range of supplementary classes designed to provide a 360-degree education in the visual arts. These include:

• Museum Practice

• Color Science

• Quick Sketch

• Technique & Technology of Painting

• Constructive Drawing

• Art History

• And other supporting disciplines

These classes develop not only technical ability, but also refined artistic taste, deep understanding of harmony, and a cultivated sense of beauty, essential to the classical tradition.

 

Professional Outcomes

By the end of the program, students graduate with a strong classical and competitive portfolio, suitable for entry into a wide variety of professional paths. This portfolio serves as the foundation for careers such as:

• Painter

• Draftsman

• Illustrator

• Designer

• Visual storyteller

• And other creative roles in the visual arts field

The program is designed to guide students from initial foundations to full professional readiness, empowering them to enter the world of visual arts with confidence and mastery.

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In the first year, students may choose between different intake periods and may study either in-person or in the hybrid format.

https://www.artac.org/one-year-program

The second and third years are in-person only and always begin with the Fall intake.

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For Tuition Fees, Deadlines & Policies please see this page

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The Florence Classical Arts Academy reserves the right to make changes in schedule, teaching staff or studio location when necessary.

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