Accademia di Belle Arti di Lecce

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The Academy of Fine Arts of Lecce, the oldest of the three academies in Puglia, has been housed since the 1970s in the Convent of the Dominican Preaching Fathers, erected by the will of Giovanni d’Aymo in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 18th century by Emanuele Manieri, who is responsible for its current appearance. The structure is adjacent to the 17th-century church of San Giovanni Battista, which was once an integral part of the ancient religious complex along with the nearby Ospedale dello Spirito Santo, which is now the headquarters of the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio. These two entities, whose facades face each other, both contribute to the beauty of the urban section of the historic center, effectively forming an arts district together with the prestigious and nearby museums of the city.

The fundamental goal of the institution is to enhance the creative talent of students by introducing educational strategies and research activities that stimulate individual expressiveness and project skills, which are the foundation of every artistic path. Through the activities carried out by the Departments of Visual Arts and Design and Applied Arts, perfectly balanced between practical and theoretical disciplines, students acquire the culture of craftsmanship combined with historical-critical knowledge. Advanced Training gains strength and substance from the constant interaction between the disciplines of the Study Courses through an artistic education based on the learning of techniques, languages of tradition and contemporaneity, enriched by the knowledge connected to new technology, which is indispensable today for access to the job market. Professionalism in the creative field is formed between classical tradition, new media, and cutting-edge technologies in constant evolution and in continuous dialogue with the contemporary.

The attention to employment prospects and the strong drive for institutional promotion are factors that characterize the action of the current governance, expressed fruitfully through a series of agreements with the main interlocutors of the territory. An essential value for the Academy is the precious opportunity for comparison between different realities and cultures thanks to the presence of a substantial group of students from non-European countries, mostly from China. The library’s restyling, digitization activities, and the expansion of the educational offer show the dynamic profile of the historic Institution, aimed at investing in innovation and dialogue with the territory with the intent of creating opportunities for comparison and cultural development.

Studying at the Academy in Lecce means investing in and cultivating one’s artistic talent by following a study path always looking to the future, in a dynamic and welcoming environment where diversity is an important strength, a vector of ideas and creativity.