International School of Painting, Drawing, and Sculpture

Frequently Asked Questions

Text Size: Increase text size Decrease text size
Application | Qualifications | Financial | Accommodations and studios | Faculty | Credit | Program | Travel | Family | Jobs | Schedule | Sculpture

Application

Qualifications

Financial

Accommodations and studios

Faculty

Credit

Program

Travel

Family

Jobs

Schedule

Sculpture

Application

Can I apply online?
Yes, the application form online is at www.giotto.us/admit.html. There is a link there to a PDF version of the application, which you can fill out on your computer and send by email. You may fax or email the application and send your images and application fee separately.
Which program should I apply for?
It depends on your schedule, your training, and what you are hoping to accomplish. If you are in art school already, the School program is probably for you. If you have been out of art for a while, CE may be the most appropriate. If you want to just work and not go to classes, Residence is the best. If you only have a short time, either Residence, or CE might be your choice. If you are not sure you can send in your application without indicating your preference, and later we can discuss the options.
Is there sculpture in the Residence Program?
The sculpture facilities are available for use, but there is no instruction in the Residence Program.
Should I send the application now or can it wait?
It's better to send the application in now, since the program is small and space is limited.
When will I find out if I am accepted?
Usually the applications are reviewed weekly, and responses go out within three days. If the application is received close to the beginning of a session, we will review it as soon as it comes in, and give you a response as soon as possible.
What kind of work goes in the application?
12 images: slides in a slide sheet or photos (slides are preferable) of your recent work with your name, size of the work, and TOP indicated on each slide, or a CD. School applicants should include at least four slides of drawings .
Can I send my slides by email?
Yes, images attached to email submissions should be under 1 MB, and mail messages are limited to 10 MB in size, including attachments. You may also send us your web site, Dropbox shared folder, Flickr album, or other image hosting service.
My teacher recommends me very strongly, do I have to apply?
Yes, we will need your information.
Can I speak with someone?
Of course, you can either call the Italy office (+39 075 8780072) or leave a message on the toll-free US voicemail / fax (866-449-3604) or email to make an appointment to talk.
Can I contact any former students?
Yes, please email with your request, telling a little about yourself.
Can you give me a preliminary acceptance before I apply?
Students who are currently studying with our faculty can have a preliminary acceptance, but it is still conditional; we will still need you to send in the completed application.
Do I need a passport to apply?
No.
What is the application deadline?
There are no application deadlines, but keep in mind that the program is small and space is limited. We recommend that you apply early.
Can I register now?
First please send in the completed application.
Can I send photos or a CD instead of slides?
Yes, CD's are ok, also websites. CE applicants may send photos. You can upload your images here: filesio.net/files/Upload_Slides, or you may also send us your web site, Dropbox shared folder, Flickr album, or other image hosting service.
Can I see the work of former students?
You can see some work on the gallery page.
Can I mail my application to the US?
Yes, before June 1 please mail your application package to:
International School of Painting, Drawing and Sculpture
PO Box 5679 River forest, IL 60305 USA

After June 1 please send your application to the Italy office.

Qualifications

Do I need a degree to come to the school?
No.
How old do you have to be to come to the school?
There are no age limits. Last year's ages ranged from 17 to very old.
I'm a self-taught artist; can I still come to the school?
Yes, please send in your application and we will review it.
I am self-taught, how can I get the recommendations?
You name employers, or other artists, or people who know you and your work.
Do you have courses for a high school student?
High school students who are serious about studying art are welcome to apply.
I don't work from life, can I still come?
Yes, although you may be tempted to try when you are there.
Are there courses for beginners?
Beginning undergraduate students may find the School program appropriate. Adults who are interested in returning to art may find CE to be a good choice.
What are the ages of the students?
We have had people from 16 to 77.
Where do the students come from?
Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhsran, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, USA, Virgin Islands...

Financial

Are there any discounts?
Yes: Former students get up to 5% discount. If you bring a friend to the program and you both earn up to 5% discount.
See Fees page for this year's offers.
 
Do you know where I can get a scholarship?
Try doing a Google search for grants.
For certain artists, The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation: The objective of the Foundation is to promote, by its charitable activities, an appreciation of traditional expression in painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking, by aiding worthy art students, artists or sculptors who need further training or other assistance during their formative years. Awards are limited to candidates in the early stages of their careers and who are working in a representational style in painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking. The terms of the Foundation's Charter preclude consideration of non-objective art. Download Application Here.
Can I come as a work-study student?
There are some work-study opportunities to FORMER STUDENTS. If you are a former student and are interested, please contact the school.
How much does the program cost?
School sessions:
Fees include classes in painting, and drawing, and sculpture (see faculty list page for details), studio space, room, three meals a day, group trips, and ground transportation from and to Fiumicino airport in Rome on the first and last day of each session. The reservation charge for a single room, when available, is 100 Euro per week. The same fees apply for Independent Residencies taken during the School sessions. Residents may take advantage of classes as they choose, and request faculty critiques.
Guest Program:
SAIC (3-6 credits)
June 17 - July 6
3 weeks € 2700
July 6 - July 27 3 weeks € 2700
July 27 - August 17 3 weeks € 2700
June 17 - July 27 6 weeks € 5000
July 6 - August 17 6 weeks € 5000
Semester 12 weeks € 9700
Artist's Residency sessions:
Fees include studio space, open drawing sessions with model, a single room, three meals a day, group trips, and ground transportation from and to Fiumicino airport in Rome on the first and last day of each session. Residents and CE students may register for less than a full session.
June 1 - June 15 2 weeks € 2100
August 17 - Aug. 31 2 weeks € 2100
Aug. 31 - Sept. 21 3 weeks € 2700
Aug. 17 - Sept. 21 5 weeks € 4600
Weekly 1 week € 1200
CE session:
Fees include painting classes, open drawing sessions with model, studio space, a single room, three meals a day, group trips, and ground transportation from and to Fiumicino airport in Rome on the first and last day of the session. Residents and CE students may register for less than a full session.
Guest Program: Charlotte Wharton
June 1 - June 8
1 week see website
August 17 - Aug. 31 2 weeks € 2100
Can I pay by personal check?
US checks over $500 must be cashier’s or bank certified checks: personal checks over $500 will not be accepted.
Can I pay in cash?
Yes, but you must arrange it in advance since otherwise all fees must be received no later than one month before the session begins.
I have a house in the area, what is the price without residence?
School, Residence, CE: 450 Euro per week.
Can I pay in US dollars?
Yes, payments in US dollars or other currency will be credited at the exchange rate of the day of deposit.
Can I pay by credit card?
You can pay by credit card with PayPal, Google CheckOut, and Amazon Payments. Please go to our Payment page at http://giotto.dynamic-storefront.com/ for details.

Accommodations and studios

Is room and studio included in the tuition?
Yes.
Can I have a single room?
Residence and CE fees include a single room. For School programs, the additional charge for a single room, when available, is 100 Euro per week.
Are there provisions for disabilities?
Accommodations, classrooms and transportation are not as well suited to serve the needs of people with disabilities as those found in modern cities. Please enclose a letter with your housing and insurance form describing your particular needs, and we will inquire as to whether your needs can be met. If not, we will do our best to find you a suitable alternative.
Can I stay in the hotel in Montecastello?
If the hotel ever opens again... yes. There is a Bed & Breakfast in Montecastello: Bed & Breakfast Gente Vibia, right in the center of our little village, nice people. Email: gentevibia@gentevibiabb.it; Tel. 333 4871149
Can I ship supplies to the school?
If you want to ship art supplies, plan at least 4 weeks for delivery by mail or courier. You can use the postal system to mail your supplies back to the states at the end of your session, and it's not terribly expensive. Mail to yourself at the school, using your return address at home:
Your name
c/o International School
2, via Unita d’Italia
06057 Montecastello di Vibio PG Italy
for courier include telephone: 075 8780072
For customs, if you declare a value may be charged 21% of the sum of the postage PLUS the declared value. To avoid paying the 21% tax you must declare the minimum commercial value, usually $10. List all your items, but be sure to add "PERSONAL EFFECTS, NO COMMERCIAL VALUE" to the form. Use generic terms: instead of "24 tubes of oil paint", write "24 artist's colors".
Air mail takes about 10 days from the US and surface mail takes around 3-4 weeks. Choose air mail rather than surface to be sure you get it in time. Things slow down the closer they get to Montecastello. On the way back to the US, they speed up! I found when I shipped to myself back to the US there was only a week's difference between surface and air, but the price difference was significant. But surface mail to Montecastello took forever.
The alternative, taking the stuff with you, may cost more or even be prohibited, since there are new strict limits on weight per person these days. Some airlines now have a maximum baggage allowance of 50 pounds (23 kg) per checked bag and penalties per bag over that weight. Check with the airline or their website to see what the weight restrictions are. See also: USA Transportation Security Administration: Know Before You Go.

Faculty

Who is teaching?
Please see the faculty list page for the most up-to-date information.

Credit

Can I get credit for the program?
While the school does not offer credit, our students do receive credits from their home schools for the work they have done here based on our transcript.
Do you have an MFA program?
No.
Is the school accredited?
We are not accredited but our students do get credits from their home institutions. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, for example, gives their students 3 credits for each class here. Normally students will take 2 or 3 classes in a 6-week session (6-9 credits), but often as not they stay for the 13-week semester, so they would normally gain 12-18 credits for the summer.
Is any diploma or certificate granted?
Our students may receive credit from their home institutions for work done at the International School, based on a transcript. To receive a transcript, send $10 per transcript with your transcript request form (PDF file) to the school office.

Program

Do you have interior design, or photography, or watercolor, printmaking, computer graphics, cooking etc.?
No, at the International School of Painting, Drawing and Sculpture, we have painting, drawing and sculpture
Is Italian language available?
There is a language school in Todi, but we don’t offer Italian language. Everyone in Montecastello speaks it, though.
Are the courses taught in English?
Yes.
Can I work in acrylics?
Yes, but most of the other students will be working in oil.
Can I just study drawing, painting, sculpture?
Yes.
Can I do independent study?
Yes, but we recommend that you schedule regular critiques with the faculty.
Are live models provided?
Yes.
What materials do you use?
Students generally paint in oil and draw with pencil, charcoal or chalk. Sculpture is in clay or plaster. See the art supply store list for supplies you can get at the School.
How many students are there?
School students usually number between 15 and 25.

Travel

What airport do I fly to?
To Rome, Fiumicino airport (FCO), also known as Leonardo da Vinci.
Can I rent a car?
You may rent a car for the summer from Hertz in Perugia, tel/fax +39-075 5002439. Ask for our neighbor, Rita Capociuchi.
Where is the school located?
Montecastello is about 130 km. north of Rome, a 2-hour drive, and about 2 hours from the Adriatic and Mediterranean coasts. We are right in the center of Italy. Take an Italy map and fold it twice, you will find Todi right in the center. See Google Maps for a closer look.
Do you have courses in New York, France, Miami, anywhere else?
No.
Do I need a visa to come to Italy?
Citizens of the US, UK, Australia and many others do not need a visa to enter Italy for the purpose of tourism for a stay of less than 90 days. In most cases, your visit to the school will be considered tourism. Please seehttp://www.esteri.it/visti/home_eng.asp Ministero degli Affari Esteri - Visti web site for specifics for your country. List of countries whose citizens are exempt from the visa requirement for short stays.

Can I take it?

See Transportation Security Administration website for a list of prohibited articles.
Can I bring my laptop?
Yes. Look on the power supply for "Input: V 100-120-220-240." This means it works both in the US (110 Volts) and Italy (220). All you will need is an inexpensive international plug adaptor which you can buy at most airports. Look for a European two-pin plug (Europlug), or a German or Italian plug. See our Plugs page.
Can I check my email?
Yes, we have wireless Internet connection and two wired computers at the school.

Family

Can I bring my spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, child, pet?
Depends on space availability, and the individual.
Can my spouse visit and take meals at the school?
Sorry, we don't make accommodations for meals for spouses, except on special days like gallery openings.
What hotels are there in the area?
Here is a short list, see this website for more: Todi district - hotels, holiday farms, restaurants.
Bed & Breakfast Gente Vibia, right in the center of our little village, nice people. Email: gentevibia@gentevibiabb.it; Tel. 333 4871149
Le Grazie - Tel. +39 075 8796041
Fattoria di Vibio - Tel. +39 075 874960
Istituo Crispolti - Tel. +39 075 8945337

Jobs

How can I teach in the school?
If you would like to send some information, please do so. We'll be happy to look at your work and resume. If you have a group of students that you would like to bring, please contact the school.
Can I come as a work-study student?
There are some work-study opportunities to FORMER STUDENTS. If you are a former student and are interested, please contact the school.
Can I come as a model?
Please contact the school with your resume and recommendations from artists or teachers you work with.

Schedule

Do you have classes in the winter?
No, we have sessions from May through September.
Can I come just for a one, two, five weeks?
If you have only one week, please consider the Residency or CE. If you can only stay for 5 weeks out of six, we will still have to charge you for 6. You may come to Residency on a weekly basis.
Can I stay for 6 months?
You can theoretically stay from May through September.
Do you have any classes that last for a year or more?
Some students return year after year, to continue their studies at the School. But we have sessions from May through September.

Sculpture

Is there rock carving, or bronze, ceramics, steel etc.?
No.

Request Information
International School of Painting, Drawing, and Sculpture
Artist's Residency Program
CE (Continuing Education)
Student Handbook

Bookmark and Share