ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Rome Fine Arts Academy Offers Scholarships to Afghan Students

institutional · 2026-04-27

The Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma has launched an initiative to support Afghan students and artists following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul. The academy is establishing scholarships for Afghan students and creating Visiting Professor positions, expanding an existing program that already planned to host two refugee students in the upcoming academic year. In an official statement, the academy emphasized the role of culture, education, and solidarity, particularly for women and girls, echoing Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai's recent BBC interview. The academy calls on all Italian academies, conservatories, ISIA institutes, and universities to join the effort and host exiled students and teachers. The initiative aims to provide protection and a future for those fleeing fundamentalism and political repression, asserting that the academic community must stand united to ensure the transmission of knowledge and free thought.

Key facts

  • Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma is offering scholarships to Afghan students and Visiting Professor positions.
  • The initiative expands an existing program that already planned to host two refugee students.
  • The academy calls on other Italian institutions to host exiled students and teachers.
  • Malala Yousafzai is cited regarding the importance of supporting women and girls.
  • The program responds to the Taliban's rise to power after the fall of Kabul.
  • The academy emphasizes culture, education, and solidarity as tools of freedom.
  • The initiative aims to provide protection and a future for those fleeing fundamentalism.
  • The academy urges the academic community to ensure transmission of knowledge and free thought.

Entities

Artists

  • Malala Yousafzai

Institutions

  • Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma
  • BBC
  • ISIA
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • Afghanistan
  • Kabul

Sources