National Academy of Art

The National Academy of Art (NHA) is the oldest higher education institution in Bulgaria for training professional artists. Founded on 1 October 1896 as the State Drawing School by decree of Prince Ferdinand, the institution has played a central role in Bulgaria's cultural and artistic development. It was renamed the National Academy of Art in 1995. The Academy comprises two faculties: the Faculty of Fine Arts (with departments of Painting, Mural Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Book Illustration and Printed Graphics, Poster and Visual Communication, Art History, Drawing, and Psychology of Art and Art Education) and the Faculty of Applied Arts and Design (with departments of Woodcarving, Ceramics and Porcelain and Glass Design, Scenography, Textile Art and Design, Metal, Industrial Design, Advertising Design, Design for Children's Environments, Fashion Design, and Restoration). Bachelor's degrees take four years; most Master's programmes one to one and a half years, Digital Arts two years, and Restoration five years; the doctoral degree takes three years after a Master's. The Academy prepares approximately 1000 Bulgarian and international students. It has a branch campus in Burgas and creative bases in Ahtopol and Balchik. NHA participates in the Erasmus+ programme with partners across Europe and has bilateral agreements with institutions worldwide.