Academy – Institution
History
The Academy of Fine Arts of Urbino, established in 1967 by Presidential Decree no. 1530 of September 29, is among the earliest established academies in Italy after the historic Royal Academies, and unique in its region. It is located in a city renowned for its rich artistic and cultural traditions, from the splendors of the Renaissance to Federico Barocci and his school, also home to an ancient University, and universally known for having been the birthplace, among others, of the illustrious Raphael Sanzio.
In 1967, management was entrusted to Renato Bruscaglia, who was brought from Florence to organize the new Academy with courses in Painting, Sculpture, and Scenography; subsequently, with Presidential Decree no. 1017 of July 9, 1975, the course of Decoration was established, completing the study tracks provided by the Academy regulations.
Management
After Bruscaglia (1967), the management of the Academy was successively held by Concetto Pozzati (1970–1973), Arnaldo Battistoni (1973–1983), Elio Marchegiani (1983–1988), Giorgio Bompadre (1988–1989), Gabbris Ferrari (1989–1991), Cristina Marabini (1991–1997), Rossano Guerra (1997–1999), Massimo Marra (1999–2000), Umberto Palestini (2000–2010), Sebastiano Guerrera (2010–2014), Umberto Palestini (2014–2020), Luca Cesari (2020 to present), who have favored didactic experimentation within the Institute and the numerous cultural initiatives — exhibitions, seminars, conferences, theatrical performances, art editions — carried out from 1967 to today.
Presidency
The position of President of the Board of Directors — the Academy’s financial governing body appointed by the Ministry of Public Education, Inspectorate for Artistic Education (now M.I.U.R. – A.F.A.M.) — has been held by Sergio Antonelli (1967–1972), Corrado Dionigi (1972–1982), Giuseppe Franzè (1982–1999), Piero Guidi (2000–2003), Vittorio Sgarbi (2003–2013), Giorgio Londei (2013–2020), Alessandro Allemandi (2021–2024), Maria Rosaria Valazzi (from 2024).
Locations
The main site, located at Via dei Maceri 2, occupies the former Convent of the Discalced Carmelites, specially restored in 1967 for the Academy. It now overlooks the Park of the Resistance, formerly the convent’s garden and later an agricultural colony adjacent to the Albornoz Fortress.
The convent building was rebuilt between 1713 and 1742, with the adjoining Church of the Annunciation, completed in 1757, designed by Giovan Battista Bartoli (Rome 1668 – Urbino 1741), architect and friar of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites, who succeeded the Servite community present since 1389 and suppressed in 1653; the eighteenth-century reconstruction was necessary following a period of abandonment.
In 1888, the building was transferred from the Municipality to the Italian Government, becoming the seat of the Reform School, Correctional House, and Re-education for minors.
Currently, the Academy operates in three locations, in addition to the main one in Via dei Maceri: since 1988/89, the Aula Theatre in Via Timoteo Viti, created in the gymnasium of the former Re-education House, hosts the Scenography school; since 2004, the Sculpture and Graphic Arts schools (Engraving Techniques, previously located in Palazzo Pascoli) have been accommodated in the building that was once a Pedagogical High School, located at the top of Giro del Cassero, a particularly scenic viewpoint over the city and surrounding hills. The School of New Art Technologies (Multimedia Design) is located in Via Valerio at Palazzo Odasi.
The peculiarity of the Academy as a “unique workshop-space” at its beginnings has evolved over time creating the need for new premises, both due to the increase in student enrollment and the evolution of the curriculum with the introduction of new disciplines, special courses and complementary teachings, but mainly due to the expansion of the educational offer following the courses in Decoration, Painting, Scenography, and Sculpture, lasting four years.
The following were introduced:
a.y. 2000–01 Experimental three-year course in Progettazione Multimediale (Multimedia Design) for the attainment of the first-level Academic Diploma;
a.y. 2004–05 Experimental two-year specialist course in Visual Design (Video Animation) for the attainment of the second-level Academic Diploma;
Three-year courses in Visual Arts and Performing Arts, with specializations in Decoration, Graphic Design, Painting, Scenography, and Sculpture for the attainment of the first-level Academic Diploma;
Two-year specialist courses in Visual Arts and Performing Arts, with specializations in Decoration, Graphic Design, Painting, Scenography, and Sculpture for the attainment of the second-level Academic Diploma;
a.y. 2005–06/2008–09 CO.B.A.SLID, Two-year qualifying courses of Second Level with teaching specialization;
a.y. 2008–09 Three-year courses in Decoration, Graphic Design, Painting, Scenography, Sculpture, and New Art Technologies for the attainment of the first-level Academic Diploma;
a.y. 2009–10 Two-year specialist course in Communication and Art Education for the attainment of the second-level Academic Diploma;
a.y. 2010–11 Two-year specialist course in Visual & Motion Design for the attainment of the second-level Academic Diploma;
a.y. 2011–12 Two-year specialist course in Painting – Contemporary Visual Arts for the attainment of the second-level Academic Diploma;
a.y. 2011–12 Two-year specialist course in Decoration – Contemporary Visual Arts for the attainment of the second-level Academic Diploma;
a.y. 2011–12 Two-year specialist course in Edizioni e Illustrazione per la Grafica d’Arte (Editions and Illustration for Art Graphics) for the attainment of the second-level Academic Diploma;
a.y. 2012–13 Two-year specialist course in Environmental Sculpture and Productive Technologies for the attainment of the second-level Academic Diploma;
a.y. 2012–13 Two-year specialist course in Scenography for the attainment of the second-level Academic Diploma.