A SUMMER OF CREATIVE POSSIBILITY

Dear Friends of the Accademia dell'Arte,

Welcome back. As we relaunch our newsletter for the first time in several years, I'm delighted to reconnect with the students, alumni, artists, faculty, supporters, and friends who make up the Accademia's global community. There is so much happening at the Villa, and I'm excited to share a glimpse of the energy, creativity, and collaboration that continue to define this extraordinary place.

With Summer I underway and Summer II just around the corner, what inspires me most is the openness our students and faculty bring to the unknown. Every day, artists from different disciplines, cultures, and backgrounds come together to take creative risks, ask challenging questions, and explore new ways of making work.

That spirit of curiosity and experimentation creates a vibrant environment where meaningful artistic discoveries can emerge.

This summer has already brought an incredible range of activity to campus. Students have trained with renowned artists including Christopher Bayes, Jason Bohon, and Alessandra Faienza. We've welcomed faculty-led programs, a travel writing residency from Hendrix College, and participants in our first-ever puppetry program. Across dance, physical theatre, writing, clown, mask work, and puppetry, the Villa has become a dynamic meeting place for artists and scholars exploring the intersections of their disciplines.

Looking ahead, Summer II will introduce exciting new opportunities, including our Screen programming, a collaboration with the Florence Dance Festival, and workshops with Dr. Budi Miller, a UNESCO-designated master teacher of Balinese mask work. We are also proud to host professional certifications in Knight-Thompson Speechwork and Screen Combat, providing participants with valuable industry-recognized training.

Beyond the summer season, we are preparing for several major initiatives. Echo Sibley is leading the return of the Arezzo Arts & Festival this August, while Chiara D'Anna and I are developing the inaugural Women in Commedia Conference, which will take place this December at the Villa. These projects reflect our ongoing commitment to fostering artistic exchange, cultural dialogue, and innovative performance practices.

This summer also marks a significant milestone for the Accademia, with 50% more programming than ever before. Meeting that growth has required extraordinary dedication from our faculty, staff, alumni, and partners, whose enthusiasm, flexibility, and generosity continue to make these opportunities possible. I am deeply grateful for the collective effort that sustains and strengthens our community.

When asked what a successful summer looks like, my answer is simple: meaningful transdisciplinary collaboration. I want to see students stepping beyond familiar methods and discovering new ways of creating across artistic forms, traditions, and cultures. Those moments of connection and exchange are where some of the most profound artistic growth occurs.

My hope is that every participant who comes through our doors leaves with a deeper understanding of themselves, their craft, and their place within a global artistic community. If we can continue to create fertile ground for curiosity, discovery, and transformation, then we are fulfilling our mission.

Thank you for being part of the Accademia dell'Arte. We look forward to sharing this journey with you.

Warmly,

Dory Sibley
Executive Director