School of Fine Arts

The Arts represent the needs of the annual Rome Prize Fellows in the Fine Arts and presents public programs to provide a cultural bridge between the United States, Italy and Europe. Included under its auspices are the activities of the annual Fellows in architecture, design arts, historic preservation and conservation, landscape architecture, literature, musical composition and visual arts. Among the activities designed for the Fellows are site visits and trips to locations of cultural interest, as well as visits to the Academy by important practitioners of all the various Arts disciplines. The emphasis is on 20th century work, though subjects of historical interest are also included. Examples of activities include trips to the Venice art and architecture Biennali and other important exhibitions, visits to major architectural sites, studio visits in the Rome area, talks by visiting American artists, as well as day-to-day exchanges with Residents and other distinguished visitors to the Academy.

In addition, the Arts sponsors public exhibitions, lectures and concerts. Three to four exhibitions are presented annually in the Academy's gallery, including the annual Fellows Exhibition presenting the work of that year's Fine Arts Fellows at the end of their year in residence. Other exhibitions focus on the work of prominent contemporary artists, architects and designers -- particularly Americans whose work has not been widely seen in Italy and Europe -- as well as historical and thematic exhibitions of timely interest.

Exhibitions are often accompanied by public lectures by the principals involved. During the course of the year lectures, readings and symposia are held by distinguished artists, writers and critics. These events are generally free to the public. The Academy also sponsors an active music program, presenting concerts and recitals by American and European musicians, with an emphasis on music by 20th century American composers.

The Arts program is administered by Martin Brody, the Andrew Heiskell Arts Director, working in concert with Visual Arts Liason, Roberto Caracciolo and Music Liaison, Richard Trythall.

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