director statement

A Letter from the Director, Rebecca Olsen

Dear Students, Artists, and Educators,

The Santa Reparata International School of Art is a private non-profitschool located in the historic center of Florence, Italy. Building on its roots as a printmaking workshop founded in 1970, the school enlarged in 2000 to encompass a full curriculum of studio art, art history, and Italian language courses. In the past two years the curriculum has been expanded to include academic classes in Liberal Arts, and related academic fields.

Programs
Santa Reparata provides accredited academic-year programs and summer classes that are attended by students from around the world. The facilities, particularly in printmaking, photography, and computer imaging are some of the finest to be found in Italy. For this reason SRISA is partner to numerous American colleges and universities that offer programs in Florence. SRISA courses are exciting and challenging, and they provide a logical structure for students who have a strong interest in art, art history, and academic fields relating to Italy.

College Credit
Students enrolled in courses at the Santa Reparata International School of Art may receive college credit through The University of South Florida, which provides a transcript for all work completed at the end of each semester. USF is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and therefore such credits are transferable to all accredited American institutions.

Teaching
SRISA provides all students with pedagogically sound syllabi in order that they understand the expectations of their instructors and the goals of each course. Academic courses relate primarily to the history and culture of Italy giving students a framework by which to understand and appreciate their stay in Florence. The school is committed to teaching both the rich history of art as well as contemporary art and ideas. It does not promote a particular style of art-making, Rather, it encourages each student to find his or her own path to personal expression with the active support and tutelage of instructors, who are working professionals in their fields.

Students in studio arts will find courses that embrace both traditional and contemporary practices. Methods such as bookbinding and woodcut printing co-exist with the latest digital programs, creating a unique opportunity to blend high tech/ low tech methods.

Quality
There is a strong commitment to technical expertise in all areas of study at Santa Reparata. Students learn to handle fine equipment and supplies, and they are exposed continually to the latest professional practices in each studio area.

Culture
The school is a cultural institution devoted to the interchange of ideas and culture, and has been a part of the artistic life of Florence for more than thirty years. Accordingly, the school sponsors musical events, lectures, and exhibitions that bring international students into the Florentine milieu.

Non-Discrimination Policy
The Santa Reparata International School of Art admits students of any race, religion, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities made available to the students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital, veteran, or handicapped status in administration of its educational policies, or admissions policies.

Rebecca Olsen, Director