While the art and history of the Italian Renaissance can be studied many locations, only in Florence does the rich interaction between medieval Europe and classical antiquity - the embodiment of the Renaissance - truly come alive. Wandering through the winding streets and famous piazze, visitors are struck by the harmonious blending of medieval public buildings, Renaissance churches and swirling baroque decoration. Prestigious museums, such as the Uffizi, also provide unmatched resources for the study of painting, architecture and sculpture. With a spirit of discovery and innovation, a vibrant sense of energy, and a rich and storied history, Florence (or Firenze) continues to be a leading destination for students the world over.
The ACM Florence program seeks to give students the ability to read a city, by immersion in Florence's extraordinary legacy of Renaissance art and culture. Students learn how to view Italian architecture and works of art in situ and how to understand them in the contexts in which they were created. In addition to a required Italian language course, students choose from course offerings in Renaissance art history, Italian culture, and studio art. Offered each fall semester, the program begins in late August with an academic orientation comprised of a four-week intensive Italian language course, lectures on aspects of contemporary Italy, and introductory meetings with background readings for the elective classes. With the exception of the Italian language course, all courses are conducted in English. Florence itself is the laboratory for the program, and site visits are an integral part of the courses. The program also includes two weekend excursions, typically to Venice and Rome. A limited number of internships are also available for students at the Uffizi Gallery. See below for more information about the Florence: Arts in Context winter quarter/trimester program.
When students first arrive on site, they are housed in a small hotel/pensione located in the same building where the ACM Florence program is based. After the first week, students are placed with Italian host families with whom they will live for the duration of the program. In learning Italian, staying with Italian host families, and interacting with Florentines on a daily basis, students gain an immersive understanding of contemporary Italian culture. At the end of the program, students should have a working command of Italian and an understanding of the social and technical processes involved in creativity grounded in one of the world's most richly productive moments in history.
Note: For students interested in a program in Florence during the winter quarter/trimester, ACM offers a Florence: Arts in Context option. For more details, go to the London & Florence section of the website. This 11-week program goes from January to March, and is typically for students at schools using a quarter/trimester calendar who would like to spend their winter term off-campus.
For more detailed information, please use the links located on the left-hand side of this page.
Quick Facts
- Terms: Fall semester & winter quarter/trimester (Jan-March)
- Language prerequisite: None
- Language of instruction: English (plus Italian language class)
- Living arrangements: Host family
- Who can apply? Students from any college or university
Application deadlines
Fall semester 2012
Final deadline: March 15, 2012
Fall semester 2013
Final deadline: March 15, 2013
If the deadline has passed and you are interested in applying, contact the ACM Office immediately. Late applications may be accepted on a space-available basis.
Related Programs
Program contacts
Heather Herriges
Program Associate
205 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 220
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 312.263.5000
hherriges@acm.edu
More program contacts »
Publications & Resources
Florence program brochure
Quarter/trimester programs brochure
Florence student handbook - Fall 2010