Drawing in the Capital of the Arts
Why Choose This Program?
Explore
Have fun discovering the open-air museum of Florence.
Network
Meet new friends and art experts. Build your own community.
Get Inspired
Draw using ancient and modern techniques, find your style, and create a portfolio.
The Destination
Welcome to Florence, where artists from all corners of the world gather to witness breathtaking art.
Italy is home to an impressive 60% of the world’s most important works of art, and half of them are in Florence! Tuscany’s capital is not just any destination—it's a dreamland for an artist. As “the cradle of the Renaissance,” Florence ushered European civilization through the Middle Ages and into its rebirth. The transition is still visible today in its incredible architecture, landmarks, and piazzas and throughout Florence’s hundreds of museums, galleries, and churches.
With something for every artist, it's no surprise that Florence is one of the world’s most enchanting cities. The streets pulse with the sights and sounds of street performers, bustling markets, and lively cafés. Contemporary exhibitions at museums and galleries showcase a diverse range of artistic styles while masterpieces like Michelangelo's David and Botticelli's Birth of Venus await at the Galleria dell'Accademia and Galleria degli Uffizi. In Florence, you’ll be inspired to create as you trace the evolution of art from medieval times to how we see it today.
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Florence.
Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
On-site Drawing Class at the Specola Museum of Natural History
A grand gallery of creatures awaits as you enter Florence's Museum of Natural History, La Specola. One room holds walls of vibrant butterflies; in another, a majestic tiger stands frozen mid-prowl. The museum is yours to explore freely, inviting you to select any creature, fossil, or plant that sparks your imagination for your sketches.
Settling into the quiet, spacious rooms solo or with a small group of friends, you feel part of Florence’s centuries-old artist tradition. It’s never lost on you that you might be sketching an insect once drawn by Leonardo himself. As you work, you trade tips with friends and inspire each other, strengthening bonds through shared creativity. This session at La Specola offers more than inspiration—it’s a chance to build a portfolio that reflects your growth and creativity.
Each sketch you complete here could be part of a collection you present to colleges or showcase in your future work as an artist. Immersed in Florence’s rich artistic heritage and surrounded by friends, you’re creating memories and pieces that may shape your path in unexpected ways.
Scavenger Hunt at Local Supermarket in Gavinana
Food and gathering are at the heart of Italian culture, where sharing a meal means so much more than just eating. This tradition takes on special significance as you meet a group of local high school students eager to welcome you to their world in Florence. Together, you’ll head to a bustling neighborhood supermarket to select fresh ingredients and plan the evening’s meal. Laughter fills the aisles as you and your new friends swap ideas about favorite dishes and learn the names of Italian staples.
Back at the casale, you prep ingredients and set tables in the garden, surrounded by the warmth of a summer evening. “A tavola!” someone shouts, and you all head to the table, ready to enjoy the food you’ve prepared together!
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Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
- For Scholarship Eligibility Requirements, Please check our scholarship page.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More Questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations, or contact us!
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2025 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,250 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2025 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,250 |
Ready to change your life?
What's Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
Our Staff
Tina Marisa Rocchio
Center Director
Tina grew up between the mountains of Vermont and the coastline of Rhode Island and has spent her adult life between Tuscany and Rome. Mastering Italian in high school, she...
Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.
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