Milan, December 11 – The Accademia di Brera, a cornerstone of Milanese culture and a leading art institution, is set to commemorate its 250th anniversary with a grand year-long celebration. Founded on January 22, 1776, under Austrian rule, the academy has evolved from a school of painting, sculpture, ornamentation, and architecture into an international brand synonymous with creativity, the Brera district, and the city itself. The festivities will span an entire year, honoring its rich history and looking towards a promising future.
A Legacy of Art and Education
With approximately 4,500 enrolled students, a third of whom are international students from 45 different countries, and 400 faculty members, Brera Academy stands as the largest art academy in Italy by enrollment. The institution boasts an impressive roster of alumni, including Nobel laureate Dario Fo, and contemporary artists like Vanessa Beecroft. President Diego Visconti emphasized the academy’s dynamic nature, stating, “We are a living body that evolves, on one hand, by training young students, and on the other, by transmitting tradition through its teachers.” Visconti highlighted the academy’s future role, asserting that in an era dominated by artificial intelligence, Brera Academy and Italy, with their artistic heritage, will be protagonists of “cultural intelligence.” He noted the academy’s global appeal, attracting renowned figures from around the world.
Year-Long Celebrations and Exhibitions
The anniversary program, designed to engage the city of Milan, will commence on January 22 with the conferment of an Honoris Causa diploma to artist Giulio Paolini. From June 30, an extensive exhibition calendar will unfold across various venues, including the Napoleonic Hall, the former Church of San Carpoforo, the Church of San Vittore and the Forty Martyrs in Corvetto. Additionally, the academy’s classrooms will be open to the public in July and August, and a dedicated exhibition on Francesco Hayez will be presented in collaboration with the Pinacoteca di Brera.
The academy’s logo has also undergone a refresh, with the involvement of The Branding Letters. The typographic characters and the 1810 design by Giuseppe Bossi, featuring Minerva supporting the Graces, have been restyled to be more stylized yet recognizable and legible.
Future Expansion to Scalo Farini
A significant development for the academy in 2026 will be the commencement of its expansion program to the spacious Scalo Farini. The current premises in Via Brera have become insufficient for the growing institution. This expansion project began in 2018 with a temporary lease agreement. In December 2021, former president Livia Pomodoro signed a preliminary purchase agreement for Lot A, spanning approximately 18,800 square meters, and Lot B, about 3,000 square meters. These lots include building rights for around 10,000 square meters, with existing buildings slated for renovation and adaptation into workshops, classrooms, and student residences.
As the celebrations begin, there is a hope that the modern intrusions of ATM totems and electronic ticket machines, currently situated behind Canova’s magnificent Napoleon statue in the courtyard of honor, will be removed, allowing the academy’s historical grandeur to shine unimpeded.
Source: https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/25_dicembre_11/milano-l-accademia-di-brera-compie-250-anni-e-prepara-la-festa-lunga-un-anno-nel-2026-inizia-il-trasloco-allo-scalo-farini-9b97716c-c36b-4ccf-9225-44ed6b25cxlk.shtml
