Venice, Italy
Concentrations: Visual Arts & Graphic Design
Graduate Diploma in Art & Design
Situated on the Adriatic and built on a series of islands, Venice is defined by water. The City of Bridges spent much of its history as a city-state and an independent republic. Aggressively expansionist, the small republic seized control of most of the Aegean Sea and traded goods as far as Constantinople by the 13th century.
The city passed to Austrian hands when Napoléon conquered it in 1797 and was absorbed into the newly-created Republic of Italy in 1866.
The Venice Biennale is a contemporary art exhibit, held in odd years. It incorporates the Venice Film Festival, the Venice Architecture Biennale in even years, and an international dance festival.
KEI students take courses at the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica. The curriculum at the Scuola stresses practical applications and experience. Courses are taught concurrently in English and Italian.
The Scuola has facilities for printmaking, book arts, graphic design, painting and art history. Students are allowed access to the studios when classes are not in session. In addition, students are encouraged to utilize the architectural, visual and natural beauty of Venice in their work. Venice, which itself is a museum, is the perfect setting for exploring one's creative self.
The print shop is equipped for all major print media. The Scuola maintains several relief printing presses including an Albion vertical cast-iron press from 1870, a modern proofing press, and hand operated off-set litho presses used for monoprinting. Intaglio printing can be accomplished through engraving, etching, aquatint and softground processes. Personalized zinc plates as well as Image-On photo polymer are available for photo-based intaglio. Zinc, copper, grained aluminum and stone plates are obtained locally giving a truly Venetian texture to the prints. The print area also contains serigraphy facilities that utilizes oil based ink, a variety of screens, an exposure unit and a vacuum printing table.
The graphic design lab is equipped with Mac computers, a color scanner, printer and digital camera. The Macs are loaded with standard graphic and web design software such as Quark Xpress and, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. The Scuola encourages the integration of digital media with the more traditional media of print and fine art. The induction of fine arts into digital illustrations creates a unique perspective and sets the Scuola apart from other graphic design schools.
Painting courses are held in the painting studio. On occasion painting and drawing classes also utilize the Scuola's outdoor courtyard and the city of Venice. The painting studio is stocked with easels, brushes, paint and other art supplies necessary to teach each course. Students must budget additional funds for personal art supplies.
Courses are offered at the Scuola Internationale di Grafica. KEI students are integrated with art students from around the world. Courses are taught concurrently in English and Italian.
Most courses at the Scuola are awarded 3 credits. Program transcripts are issued by the Scuola or Clark Atlanta University (accredited in the USA). Students should consult with the study abroad and/or academic advisor at their university about course selection and approval, credit transfer, and program transcripts.
The Graduate Diploma is awarded by the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica. The program starts in the fall semester. Starting the program in the spring semester may be possible under certain conditions. Most students complete the requirements in one academic year (two semesters).
The Graduate Diploma is equivalent to a Masters of Art degree in the USA based on the program's curriculum and credit requirements. You will receive a certificate of completion following the program. Students who need official degree validation in the USA should submit their Diploma Certificate and transcript to World Education Services (WES), one of the most trusted foreign credential validation organizations in the USA. WES charges a service fee of $80 to $250 US dollars. KEI cannot guarantee WES equivalency decisions. However, WES has recognized the Graduate Diploma to have a U.S. equivalency of a Masters' degree in the past.
Students live in the Scuola?s residence building, in the Campo San Maurizio. The building is over 300 years old. Apartments house 4-6 people, and are furnished with beds, desks, linens, blankets, pillows, equipped kitchen, toilet, shower, and washing machine.
Since the residence is used by all visitors to the Scuola, do not be surprised if a new person appears from time to time. Artists-in-residence and artists giving special workshops are housed there for long- or short-term periods. It?s a great way to get to know an accomplished artist on an individual basis, and contributes to the familial feel at the Scuola.
Robin Frood is the KEI On-Site Coordinator in Venice. She also teaches printmaking and painting at the Scuola. Robin is originally British, and speaks fluent Italian as well as English.
Robin will meet students at the airport, help you get settled and oriented to Venice, and mediate any problems or conflicts you might have. She is available at any hour by mobile phone. She has plenty of experience working with international students, so don't be afraid to approach her with questions about Italian culture!
Excursions are all organized in conjunction with the Venetian Art History class. The instructor will accompany you and give you an artist?s look at the cities and the artistic works to be found. On weekend excursions, students have the option to extend their stays overnight.
KEI reserves the right to change listed excursions for destinations of equal value and interest. Excursions may change based on availability or special art exhibitions.
- Florence
- Rome (overnight)
- Milan
