The Siena School for Liberal Arts offers students a unique experience among study abroad programs in its exclusive collaboration with the Art History departments of two of Italy's top universities, the University of Siena and the University of Florence. The courses offered by the Siena School for Liberal Arts enable young researchers to study and appreciate Renaissance and Baroque Italian art in its historical and cultural context. Siena, Florence and the surrounding area are home to most of the best-known works of the period, and Siena boasts an extraordinarily rich collection of archival material essential to the complete study of its art. In addition to organized visits to churches and museums, the school hosts lectures and seminars by visiting scholars from major European and American institutions. Each semester focuses on a chosen theme, culminating in a weeklong seminar and lecture series, a capstone experience where our students and those of the University of Siena can enjoy an extended dialogue with each other and attending professors.

In 2005, the Siena School organized a series of lectures on the theme of 'Identity' that included one by professor James Beck (Columbia University) and that ended with a seminar on the theme of the "Portrait", with the participation of professors Tod Marder (Rutgers University), Bernardina Sani and Patrizia Agnorelli (University of Siena), and Piergiacomo Petrioli (University of Florence, Siena School for Liberal Arts).

The Siena School is proud to create a bridge between the academic worlds on both sides of the Atlantic, offering students who wish to engage in research projects the opportunity to work with faculty from the schools participating in our unique collaboration.

We offer courses at all levels. Being so ideally located, the abundance of art available to our students fosters one of the School's principle objectives: to use art history as an instrument to understand Italy, its history, and its culture.

Art History 1
A New Vision from the Past: Italian Sculpture and the Classical Heritage
Art History 2
Discovering the Man: The Renaissance in Siena and Florence
Art History 3
Picturing people: Italian Art and Society during the Renaissance
Art History 4
Art History through its Primary Sources