The journey to becoming a skilled and accomplished artist is lifelong. The work is intense. Skills need constant updating. But, an important part of the process is building into your schedule a time for renewal, for new experiences, and for a different perspective. Vacations for artists are not to get away from their work, but rather to find ways to inspire their work with new exuberance and energy. The School of Visual Arts knows what artists need to keep creating and inventing at their personal best: Time to reflect and time to work seriously, just for the fun of it.

That is why we continue our Arts Abroad Programs every year and why we offer such a broad curriculum. The work is challenging, but we have discovered that new experiences empower artists to grow and develop. Different cultures, beautiful environments and living art history inspire your personal work and make it worth your while to travel with us. Student artists are not the only people to take advantage our Arts Abroad programs—many artists out of school join us to see the world and polish their skills. College credits, however, are available for all who qualify.

We offer three new programs this year. You can study cinema in Rome and Milan, practice action surf photography in Puerto Rico or attend the Phtographic Practices Masters Workshop in Provence, Southern France.

Choose to paint in Barcelona, while being inspired by Gaudi architecture. Or study art history in Southern France, retracing the footsteps of Van Gogh and Gauguin.

Digital Photography in Florence gives students the opportunity to further their skills in creative image making while being deeply immersed in the life of Tuscany’s towns and villages.

Multicultural, cosmopolitan Shanghai is the center for a unique digital photography workshop for advanced photographers. Photographic exploration of the city, seminars, portfolio reviews, optional language instruction and an excursion to Beijing make up a program that promises to be an adventure.

Art therapy is the unique approach to healing through art. Choose to be inspired this summer in one of two unique programs, either in Florence or Provence.

The Masters Workshop in Design History, Theory and Practice in Venice and Rome is an ideal opportunity for accomplished designers to study visual communication in the birthplace of Western typographic tradition with masters of design and typography.

Your choices are as broad as they are fascinating. All programs are intense and provide the opportunity to visit unique art and cultural locations open to SVA and often unavailable to the usual tourist. The combination of a work / study vacation could be what you need to stimulate your imagination, creativity, reinvigorate your career, and bring excitement and surprise for making art back into your life.