Study abroad in Florence has translated into a life-changing experience for many students. Just being immersed in the artistic treasures and history of Florence is enriching in itself. Taking this experience one step further, however, Studio Arts College International (SACI) has partnered with major museums in Florence such as the Accademia Gallery and the Bargello. Our objective is to bring about critical design thinking and art history knowhow to work hand in hand with these museums to enhance the visitors’ experience. Millions of visitors—exceeding the resident population more than tenfold—provide real challenges for the museums and limit the appreciation of the artworks for visitors.
SACI MX (Museum Experience), integrating Graphic Design, Museology, Art History and multiple digital design technologies, was established by SACI to create and improve the visitors’ experience at all levels—from standing in line to buy tickets, to developing tools for wayfinding, to enhancing the visual identity through website design. We are also currently engaging Istituto dei Ciechi, an institution for the visually impaired, to have our students develop new and better ways to experience artworks in these museums. This kind of practical learning is where a school assignment comes to life and provides “real world” experience for the student, while at the same time making a valuable contribution back to society. For more information, see the website.
SACI offers Master’s degrees in Studio Art, Photography, Communication Design and Art History—and Post-Bac certificates in Conservation and Studio Art. Students in these programs travel with their instructors throughout Europe and have the opportunity to work in Florence on special projects such as those described above.
SACI graduate students have studios in a fully restored Renaissance palazzo in Florence’s historic center. They regularly host Open Studio evenings which draw artists and collectors from throughout Tuscany. SACI students’ artworks are featured in group exhibitions in Florence, and a number of our students have held one-person exhibitions in Italy and elsewhere in Europe.
SACI graduate programs are US-accredited and 1 or 2 years in length. They include a low-residency MFA in Studio Art degree that can be earned in 3 consecutive summers.
For more information about SACI graduate programs, please visit our website or contact SACI’s Admissions Office at admissions@saci-florence.edu.
SACI is continuing to accept applications for Fall 2017.
