The Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, a privately owned institution founded in 1563 in Italy, is the oldest public art education institution in the country. Reorganized in 1784, it operates independently from the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno. As of 2023, it employs approximately 160 people and has an annual revenue of less than $25 million. The academy offers undergraduate and graduate level courses, as well as master's programs, to roughly 1400 students. In addition to its educational activities, it supports artistic production and research through exhibitions, events, publications, and conferences. Student support includes scholarships, housing, and meal services, along with internship opportunities and international exchange programs like Erasmus+. The academy also includes a life drawing school and maintains a significant collection of art and cultural artifacts, including a library, historical archives (containing materials such as Galilean manuscripts), and a collection of drawings.
