Art in Barcelona

This program is now full. All new applicants will be put on the waitlist. Thanks for your participation! You are also welcome to consider the other 2024 summer programs. (Jan. 29, 2024)

Schedule an advising appointment at smccd.edu/goabroad to speak with a Study Abroad Counselor.

Gilman Scholarship Workshop and Lunch on Feb. 5, Monday

Immerse yourself in the art history and studio art practices of Barcelona, boasting modernist buildings designed by Antoni Gaudí. The ginormous Sagrada Familia Church also calls Barcelona home. It is the largest unfinished church and is permanently under construction as well as still being open to the public. While studying the art here in Barcelona, it will be mainly architecture based as they house such historic landmarks. In addition it is an incredibly colorful and diverse city with a lot to learn about.

Barcelona is a culturally vibrant and cosmopolitan coastal Spanish city of 1.6 million people, and it is the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia. It boasts a wide array of museums, theaters, and historic buildings, including modernist buildings designed by the famous Antoni Gaudí. Barcelona is home to an abundance of parks and gardens, a diverse and unique local cuisine, and a world-renowned nightlife. Imagine yourself in Barcelona, walking among some of the world’s top architectural gems daily as you both live and study there

Program Dates

Arrive BCN: Monday, June 3, 2024

Depart BCN:Friday, June 28, 2024

Duration:4 weeks

Activity Level:Moderately Active

Program Provider:AIFS

Apply by: March 8, 2024

Info Sessions Planned Itinerary Program Info Sheet Important Dates

Program Costs

Based on 15-20 participants, the program fee is $4,625, including single room housing, health insurance, cultural tours, and other services. It does not include airfare.
Independent Housing (optional): the program fee is $2,595 (own accommodation and airport transfer, and to and from meeting points on travel days)

Optional Add-Ons:

Group airfare package: $1620 (including airport pickup)

Optional Two-Day Excursion to Madrid:

Cost Sharing a Twin Room: $595

Optional Trip Interruption or Cancellation Insurance:

Participants will have the option of purchasing additional trip cancellation or interruption insurance which allows them to protect their study abroad program. This policy includes options to cancel for any reason (CFAR) and interrupt for any reason (IFAR). Details of the Worldwide Trip Protector Plans with travel insurance underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company, rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best 2019, are available on the Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) website - www.culturalinsurance.com. Students may purchase their plan directly through the CISI website.

Course Information

ART 223, 224, 244 and 247. OIL PAINTING I, II, III and IV.

Introduction to principles, elements, and practices of oil painting. Focus on exploration of painting materials, perceptual skills and color theory, paint mixing and technique, as well as creative responses to materials and subject matter. Emphasis on history and culture of the city of Barcelona.

UNITS: 3.0

Prerequisites: None

Corequisites: None

Recommended: ART 204

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC

C-ID: ARTS 210

The course listing is now available. The registration will open in April/May 2024.

Refund & Withdrawal Policy

If an individual student withdraws there will be a refund according to the following schedule:

Withdrawal on or before: Friday, March 8, 2024

All fees paid less a $150 processing fee.

Withdrawal after Friday, March 8, 2024 but on or before Friday, April 5, 2024

All fees paid less the $450 deposit and any non-refundable deposits paid by the student or by AIFS on the student’s behalf.

Withdrawal after: Friday, April 5, 2024

No refund and the total program fee is due.

Withdrawal once the program has begun

No refund

Program Fee includes:

Health and Safety Support

On-site orientation with local staff to provide advice and guidance on general and culturally relevant topics such as safety, incident response procedures and contact information for local emergency services (police, ambulance, fire service, hospitals, U.S. Embassy, etc.)
24/7 AIFS emergency service with both local number to reach on-site staff and toll-free number in the U.S.
Student medical insurance policy, as outlined in the AIFS insurance brochure. Coverage includes $100,000 accidental medical expense and $25,000 accidental death payment plus 24-hour emergency care assistance during the program and repatriation in cases of verified emergency beyond the students’ control
Each student on the program will be enrolled in the CISI insurance plan and global app. Students have access to the ‘My CISI’ website where they can locate their ID card, policy document, search for a doctor (if traveling away from the program site), access personal security information and a copy of the claim form. The CISI app also includes resources such as the location of U.S. Embassies and consulates around the world, individual country profiles, CDC vaccine advice and U.S. State Department advice
A check-in facility is also part of the CISI app allowing students to mark themselves as “safe” during an incident or requesting assistance should they need it while traveling independently

Accommodation, Meals and Travel Pass

Accommodation

Individual, ensuite room in student accommodation. Centrally located, maximum 45 minutes travel time to the classroom facilities, with shared kitchen and living space and laundry facilities on-site. Linens and towels, monthly cleaning and free wireless internet are provided.

Meals

Self-catering facilities at student accommodation, a welcome dinner, a farewell dinner.

Travel Pass

Unlimited travel on the metro, buses, trams, and trains in the central zone of Barcelona for the duration of the program.

In-Country Student Support

An orientation program in Barcelona consisting of a meeting with experienced AIFS staff, covering topics such as general acclimation to Barcelona, safety and security issues, cultural differences, travel, money and cultural activities
Local area walking tour covering housing and classroom location and local amenities
A half-day sightseeing tour of Barcelona by private bus with the services of a professional, English-speaking guide
A team of AIFS staff to ensure the smooth running of the program, providing information and advice to students, organizing excursions and supervising housing
24-hour on-call service in Barcelona for the duration of the program.
Access to the AIFS Student Center with free internet access and printing facilities.

Cultural Activities and Excursions

An Articket pass, allowing one free entry to each of the following museums: Museu Picasso, Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Fundació Joan Miró, Fundació Antoni Tàpies, and Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona.
A standard ticket to Caixa Forum
A guided tour of the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell
A guided tour of MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona)
A group cooking class
A full-day excursion to Sitges. Transport by public train, entrances to the Cau Ferrat and Maricel Museum, guided walking tour of Sitges and the services of a professional guide and AIFS staff escort throughout
A full-day excursion to Girona and Figueres. Transport by private bus, entrances to the Cathedral and Dalí Museum, guided walking tour of Girona and the services of a professional guide and AIFS staff escort throughout.

Program Eligibility

Students need not be currently enrolled at one of the sponsoring colleges in order to participate.

Program eligibility requirements:

Be 18 years of age or older.
Be in good academic and disciplinary standing.
Complete an interview with the professor of the course.

Meet Professor Aina F. Clotas

Aina F. Clotas, b.1987, is a figurative oil painter from Catalonia, Spain. After attending an undergraduate filmmaking course, Aina received her BFA from the Universitat de Barcelona and Universidade do Porto, Portugal, in 2012. To further her training, she studied traditional painting methods at the Barcelona Academy of Art, graduating in 2015. She taught at the Barcelona Academy of Art, La Salle University, the Florence Academy of Art in Sweden and the Bay Area Classical Artist Atelier.

Aina's personal work is influenced from both the nineteenth century atelier methods and the cinematography language. Her compositions are clear and striking, full of intimacy and sensitivity. Her work has been exhibited in Spain, United States, Portugal, Canada and Estonia. Aina is currently living in California, where she teaches at the College of San Mateo and runs an art atelier, Nuance Fine Art, with her husband Joe Altwer.

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