Visiting NABA in Rome
- Suzie Castello
- Oct 12
- 3 min read
In September, I visited the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA) campus in Rome.
NABA was first founded in Milan in 1980 as an internationally-focused arts academy with the mission to grow traditional academic arts education to include contemporary and professional practices. Since then, it has grown into an internationally recognized arts institution serving students from all over the world, offering programs in both Italian and English. NABA opened its Rome campus in 2019. Between the Milano and Rome campuses NABA today has over 6000 students from 90 countries.
The campus is located in the Ostiense section of Rome, and area that was once important for manufacturing. Vestiges of its industrial past are present all around campus. Walking around the exterior spaces gave me a slightly surreal feeling, like I was inhabiting a Giorgio Di Chirico painting. Like RUFA, and Polimoda in Florence, the campus is another interesting example of how Italian institutions are revitalizing former industrial sites to fuel the creative economy.
In addition to campuses in Milan, and Rome, NABA is opening a campus focused on Fashion and Design in London for programs starting October 2026.
NABA offers programs at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels. In addition, they offer gap year, foundation, and summer courses.
Undergraduate degrees related to Painting and Visual arts, Design, Comics and Visual Storytelling, Film and Animation, Graphic Design and Art Direction, Creative Technologies, Marketing and Management for Creative Business, Set Design, and several degrees related to Fashion Design and Fashion Business.
The impression I got from learning about the campus and programs is that storytelling is at the heart of all the disciplines and practices taught at NABA. Education is not just an opportunity to develop a set of artistic skills, but also a chance to learn how to apply those skills to specific projects with purpose.
Undergraduate programs are 3 years, and most are available in Milan and Rome, and taught in Italian or English. Fashion Design, Fashion Management and Marketing, and Design will also be available in London.
Admission to undergraduate programs is selective. Applicants must provide their high school transcript and the appropriate proof of language proficiency. Some national high school curricula may not meet entry requirements, or may need additional verification. In addition, applicants' dedication and commitment is measured by an admissions test that includes an artistic statement, project or assignment specific to the course, and a review of a portfolio of work.
NABA's Foundation Course, available in Milan and London, is a nine-month interdisciplinary course for students who do not qualify for direct entry to a three-year undergraduate program. It is offered in Italian and English, fully in-person, or in a blended synchronous and asynchronous mode. The foundation covers technical skills and portfolio development, presentation, language skills, and provides a context of art history and the Italian cultural panorama.
Tuition fees are based on the student's residency. Residents of EU countries have different fee status than non-residents. NABA also offers partial scholarships for merit and partial funding for students with significant financial need.
While NABA does not provide its own housing, it does help students find third-party accommodations. NABA also assists international students with visa processes, health insurance, and other services to support overall well-being.
The NABA website has a wealth of information. They also have a fantastic webinar series with admissions counselors and professors about courses and careers, curating portfolios, and student life.
If you would like to find out more about my visit to NABA's Rome campus, or how to get ready to apply to creative programs, please reach out.
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