The National Academy of Art (Bulgarian: Национална художествена академия) is a public institution of higher education in Sofia, Bulgaria, specializing in fine arts, applied arts, design, conservation and restoration, and the history and theory of art. Founded in 1896 as the State School of Drawing, it is Bulgaria's oldest higher-education institution devoted to professional art training.
The academy is organized into the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Applied Arts and Design and offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
Contents
History
The institution was founded as the State School of Drawing in 1896. Its establishment was associated with artists Anton Mitov, Ivan Mrkvička and Boris Schatz, and with writers and public figures Konstantin Velichkov and Ivan Shishmanov. The school opened in Sofia in October 1896 following a decree signed by Prince Ferdinand.
In 1911, the teaching staff submitted a development plan to the Ministry of Education proposing that the State School of Drawing be renamed the Academy of Art. The change was made in 1921 following a proposal by Minister of Education Stoyan Omarchevski. The institution later became the present National Academy of Art.
Academics and structure
The National Academy of Art has two faculties: the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Applied Arts and Design. The faculties administer programmes leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. The academy educates nearly 1,000 Bulgarian and international students and doctoral candidates.
Its programmes cover disciplines including painting, sculpture, printmaking, mural painting, illustration and book design, poster and visual communication, industrial design, fashion, textiles, ceramics, scenography, metalwork, woodcarving, conservation and restoration, and art history and theory.
Notable alumni and students
The academy and its predecessor institutions have educated numerous prominent Bulgarian and international artists. The list includes both graduates and notable former students who studied at the institution without completing a degree there.