A Creative Summer in Italy

The Creative School Cortona is a unique transdisciplinary learning experience in the heart of Tuscany, Italy.

Enrol in The Creative School’s transdisciplinary courses for a distinct opportunity to apply your creativity in a new environment and engage with international challenges. Learn about the cultural heritage of Tuscany through art, design and media in collaboration with local Italian industry partners and community members. The Cortona Experience is offered to you in partnership with Cortona On The Move. (external link)

Why go to Cortona?

Learn about the creative heritage of Italy and participate in field trips across Tuscany curated by local experts.

Apply your creative skills working on innovative projects with cultural and industry leaders.

Work with local clients on creative projects including the City of Cortona and affiliated organizations.

2025 Courses

Transdisciplinary offering

FCD 230 Across Cultures: Contextualizing Art & Design Practice
FCD 558 Intro to Design Thinking

These courses are co-taught by Kathleen Pirrie-Adams and Tanya White.

How to Apply

Step 1: Sign-up for an info session (external link, opens in new window)

Step 2: Submit your application (coming soon)

The Cortona Experience

Group of students posing with beautiful sprawling Cortona landscape in the background

Students on tour outside a historic building

Students in classroom listening to a lecture

Students on tour bus talking and laughing

Group of students posing in historic courtyard

Students sitting around table at restaurant in Cortona

Students walking down tree-lined path in Cortona countryside

"It was an amazing experience where I could immerse myself in the local culture and work on a design project with that local first-hand knowledge. I enjoyed the food—pasta, gelato and pizza—and loved the daily nightly walks through the medieval town to the Gelateria with the group. This medieval town was beautiful."

Amy Li (Interior Design student)