In this second part of our exploration of the best art schools in Europe, we continue to introduce you to institutions that stand out for their innovative pedagogy, their commitment to artistic excellence, and their influence on the international scene. These schools are not only training artists, they are also incubators of ideas and creative movements that are redefining the boundaries of art. Join us to discover other iconic institutions where emerging talents are developing their potential and leaving their mark on the world of contemporary art.
Netherlands 🇳🇱
Gerrit Rietveld Academy, ©bureau Monumenten & Archeologie (bMA), gemeente Amsterdam via Wikipedia
- Gerrit Rietveld Academie – Amsterdam
Founded in 1924, the Gerrit Rietveld Academie is a small, independent, internationally oriented university of fine arts and design in Amsterdam. It offers bachelor's and master's programmes, as well as preparatory courses.
Notable alumni: Lita Cabellut , a Spanish multidisciplinary artist known for her large canvases using a contemporary variation of the fresco technique. Rob Scholte: a Dutch contemporary artist known for his reproductions of images from the media and art history.Official website : https://rietveldacademie.nl/en/
- Design Academy Eindhoven
Established in 1947, Design Academy Eindhoven is a design arts university located in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. It is internationally renowned for its innovative approach and renowned faculty.Famous alumni: Maarten Baas, Piet Hein Eek, Hella Jongerius , Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel
Official website : https://www.designacademy.nl/ - Royal Academy of Art (KABK) – The Hague
Located in The Hague, it is one of the oldest art academies in the Netherlands. It offers bachelor's, master's and preparatory courses in various fields of art and design. In collaboration with Leiden University, it also offers a doctoral programme in the arts.
Famous alumni: Louise Schouwenberg, art and design theorist.
Official website : https://www.kabk.nl/en/
Poland 🇵🇱
- Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Founded in 1812, the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw is the largest and oldest institution of higher education in the arts in Poland. It offers programs in various fields, including painting, sculpture, graphic arts, art conservation and restoration, interior design and stage design.Famous alumni: Magdalena Abakanowicz : Internationally renowned Polish sculptor and textile artist, known for her monumental fibre installations. Henryk Chmielewski : Polish cartoonist and journalist, famous for his comic strips under the pseudonym "Papcio Chmiel".
Official website : https://en.asp.waw.pl/ - Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts – Krakow
Established in 1818, the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow is one of the most prestigious art institutions in Poland. It is named after the famous Polish painter Jan Matejko and offers diverse programs in visual arts, design and conservation.
Famous alumni: S tanisław Wyspiański : Painter, poet and playwright, considered one of Poland's most versatile artists. Jacek Malczewski : Polish symbolist painter, known for his works imbued with patriotic and mythological themes. Józef Mehoffer : Painter and graphic artist, famous for his stained glass windows and contributions to Art Nouveau. Official website : https://www.asp.krakow.pl/
Portugal 🇵🇹
Faculdade de Belas-Artes da Universidade de Lisboa, ©Manuelvbotelho via Wikipedia
- Faculdade de Belas-Artes da Universidade de Lisboa
Founded in 1836, the Faculdade de Belas-Artes da Universidade de Lisboa is a prestigious institution dedicated to teaching visual arts, design and conservation-restoration. Notable alumni include artists such as Luciano Freire , a renowned painter and art restorer, and Ana Vidigal , a contemporary artist known for her collages exploring social and political themes.
Official website : https://www.belasartes.ulisboa.pt/ . Escola Superior de Artes e Design (ESAD) Matosinhos
Established in 1989, Escola Superior de Artes e Design de Matosinhos is a private institution located in Matosinhos, Portugal, offering programs in arts and design. The school is recognized for its interdisciplinary and critical approach.
Official website : https://www.esad.pt/ .
Czech Republic 🇨🇿
- Academy of Fine Arts (AVU) – Prague
Founded in 1799, the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague is the oldest art school in the Czech lands. It has trained many renowned artists, including František Kupka , a pioneer of abstract art, and Mikoláš Aleš , a famous Czech painter and illustrator.
Official website : https://www.avu.cz/ . UMPRUM – Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design – Prague
Established in 1885, UMPRUM is a prestigious institution dedicated to the teaching of applied arts, architecture and design. Notable alumni include Eva Jiřičná , an internationally renowned architect, and Bořek Šípek , an influential designer and architect.
Official website : https://www.umprum.cz/ .
Romania 🇷🇴
- National University of Arts – Bucharest
Founded in 1864 by artists Theodor Aman and Gheorghe Tattarescu , the National University of Arts in Bucharest is one of the leading institutions of art education in Romania. Notable alumni include Constantin Brâncuși , a world-renowned sculptor known for his modern and abstract works, and Victor Brauner , an influential surrealist painter.
Official website : https://www.unarte.org/ . University of Art and Design (UAD) – Cluj-Napoca
Established in 1925, the University of Art and Design of Cluj-Napoca is recognized for its role in the development of the contemporary art scene in Romania. Notable alumni include Adrian Ghenie , a contemporary painter whose works are exhibited internationally, and Ciprian Mureșan , a conceptual artist renowned for his installations and videos. Official website : https://www.uad.ro/ .
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Royal College of Art, © Chmee2 via Wikipedia
- Royal College of Art (RCA) – London
Founded in 1837, the Royal College of Art is a public research university specializing in art and design, located in London. Its famous alumni include sculptor Henry Moore , film director Ridley Scott and actor Alan Rickman .
Official website: https://www.rca.ac.uk/ . University of the Arts London (UAL)
The University of the Arts London is a federation of arts colleges and universities, including Central Saint Martins , Chelsea College of Arts and the London College of Communication . Notable alumni include singer Florence Welch , actress Bonnie Wright and photographer Rankin.
Official website : https://www.arts.ac.uk/ .Glasgow School of Art – Scotland
Founded in 1845, the Glasgow School of Art is one of the leading institutions of art education in the United Kingdom. It has produced renowned artists such as architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh , actor Peter Capaldi and artist Douglas Gordon .
Official website: https://www.gsa.ac.uk/ .Goldsmiths, University of London
Goldsmiths, University of London, is a university renowned for its arts, design and humanities programs. Notable alumni include musician and Blur member Damon Albarn , artist Damien Hirst and fashion designer Mary Quant .
Official website : https://www.gold.ac.uk/ .
Russia 🇷🇺
- Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg (Repin Academy)
Founded in 1757, the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, also known as the Repin Academy, is one of the oldest and most prestigious art institutions in Russia. It has trained many renowned artists, including Karl Bryullov , famous for his historical painting "The Last Day of Pompeii", Valentin Serov , known for his impressionist portraits, and Ilya Repin , a realist painter who created the iconic "The Volga Boatmen".
Official website :https://www.artsacademia.ru/ . Moscow Academic Institute of Art (Surikov Institute)
Established in 1939, the Moscow State Academic Art Institute, named after painter Vasily Surikov since 1948, is a leading institution dedicated to fine art education in Russia. Notable alumni include Konstantin Yuon , a painter and art theorist; Sattar Bahlulzade , an Azerbaijani landscape artist; and Dmitry Zhilinski , a figurative painter and member of the Russian Academy of Arts.
Official website : https://surikov-vuz.com/ .Stroganov Moscow State University of Arts and Industry
Founded in 1825, Stroganov University is one of the oldest art and design educational institutions in Russia. It is renowned for its programs in applied arts and industrial design.
Official website : https://www.mghpu.ru/ .
Serbia 🇷🇸
- Faculty of Fine Arts (FLU) – Belgrade
Founded in 1937, the Faculty of Fine Arts (FLU) of the University of Arts in Belgrade is a prestigious institution dedicated to the teaching of visual arts in Serbia. It offers programs in painting, sculpture and graphic arts, thus contributing significantly to the development of the Serbian art scene.
Official website : https://flu.bg.ac.rs/ .
Slovakia 🇸🇰
- Academy of Fine Arts and Design – Bratislava
Founded on June 9, 1949, the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava (Vysoká škola výtvarných umení v Bratislave - VŠVU) is one of the oldest and most prestigious art education institutions in Slovakia. It offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in various fields of visual arts, divided into twelve departments and a drawing division. Notable alumni include artists such as Štefan Belohradský , a renowned sculptor, and Anna Daučíková , a contemporary artist known for her work in video and photography.
Official website: https://www.vsvu.sk/en/ .
Switzerland 🇨🇭
Lausanne Cantonal School of Art, ©Younès Klouche via Wikipedia
- Lausanne Cantonal School of Art (ECAL)
Founded in 1821, the École cantonale d'art de Lausanne (ECAL) is a renowned Swiss institution, known for its programs in visual arts and design. Notable alumni include film director Jean-Stéphane Bron , designer Ini Archibong , and artist Philippe Decrauzat .
Official website : https://ecal.ch/ . Geneva School of Art and Design (HEAD)
The Geneva School of Art and Design (HEAD) is a Swiss institution offering training in visual arts, design and film. Notable alumni include artist Émilie Ding , visual artist Anne Le Troter and sculptor Sonia Kacem .
Official website : https://www.hesge.ch/head/ .Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) is one of the largest arts universities in Europe, offering a wide range of programmes in art, design, music, theatre, dance and other creative disciplines.
Official website : https://www.zhdk.ch/ .
Sweden 🇸🇪
- Konstfack – University of Arts, Crafts and Design – Stockholm
Founded in 1844, Konstfack is the largest university of arts, crafts and design in Sweden. It offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in various artistic fields. Notable alumni include Tove Jansson , creator of the Moomins, and Hilma af Klint , a pioneer of abstract art.
Official website: https://www.konstfack.se/en/ . Valand Academy – University of Gothenburg
The Valand Academy, founded in 1865, is an art school within the University of Gothenburg, specializing in film, photography, literary composition and fine arts. In 2020, it merged with the School of Design and Crafts (HDK) to form HDK-Valand – Academy of Art and Design. Notable alumni include award-winning film director Ruben Östlund and multidisciplinary artist Ernst Billgren .
Official website: https://www.gu.se/en/hdk-valand .
Jean Dubreil