Top 5 ART academies in Russia

1) St. Petersburg Repin Academy of Arts

The current Academy is the successor of the Imperial Academy of Arts, the oldest and largest higher education institution of arts in the country. It was founded in 1757 by order of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. Such famous artists as Ivan Aivazovsky, Vasily Surikov, Viktor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Vasily Polenov, Mikhail Vrubel and others studied there.

Among the available programs of study are graphic arts, fine art, sculpture, architecture, theory and history of art. Take a more detailed look at the website education-in-russia.com and read the additional information for international students here.

2) St. Petersburg State Stieglitz Academy of Art & Design

It’s not accidental that St. Petersburg is considered the cultural capital of Russia, as there are as many as two famous art universities there. The Stieglitz Academy was founded in 1876 as a technical drawing school and is now famous for its education in design, arts and crafts and theater. 

Find out more information on how to enroll in the academy here.

3) Russian State University of Design & Applied Arts (Stroganov University)

‘Stroganovka’ is one of the most famous art universities in the capital. Count Sergei Stroganov founded the school in 1825 and, initially, talented children from poor families, even serfs, were allowed to enroll free of charge and would train in painting and decorative and applied arts. The university has three main areas of study – design, monumental and decorative arts and restoration. 

Find out how to prepare a portfolio and enroll here. 

4) Moscow Surikov State Academic Institute of Fine Arts

The Surikov Institute grew out of the pre-revolutionary Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, but, in its current shape, it was formed in Soviet times, thanks to famous artist and restorer Igor Grabar. The institute has faculties that include painting, graphics, sculpture, architecture and art theory and history. 

Read more about the programs and admissions at the website education-in-russia.com.

5) Universal University 

This independent private university was founded relatively recently, in 2003. Art and design are taught there in joint programs with the British Higher School of Art and Design. The list of programs includes clothing and textile design, object design, illustration, contemporary art and development of creative projects. The university also has film departments, the programs of which were created jointly with the Moscow Film School. There are also disciplines in graphic games and animation, architecture and business. 

Read more details here, as well on the website of the British Higher School of Art and Design.