The Visiting Artists & Scholars (VAVS) Program offers artists and scholars of all nationalities the opportunity to experience the intellectual and artistic freedom, interdisciplinary exchange, and innovation that define life at the American Academy in Rome.

Participants may rent living and working spaces at the Academy and join our vibrant community of Rome Prize winners, Italian Fellows, invited Residents, and global Affiliated Artists and Scholars.

Disciplines encouraged to apply include:

• Arts: architecture, design, landscape architecture, literature, musical composition, and visual arts
• Humanities: ancient studies, historic preservation and conservation, medieval studies, Renaissance and early modern studies, and modern Italian studies

As members of the community, Visiting Artists & Scholars have access to the Academy’s resources, including the Library, Photographic Archive, Norton-Van Buren Study Collection, Bass Garden, Cortile, and other public spaces. They are invited to participate in the Walks and Talks program (subject to space) and in internal and public Academy events.

VAVS are also welcome to join the Rome Sustainable Food Project (lunch and dinner, Monday-Friday) at an additional cost. Meals are seasonal, vegetable-forward, and sourced from the Academy’s garden, regenerative farms, and other organic suppliers. Meals are not à la carte.

During the 2026-27 Academic Year, the VAVS Program will include two sessions:

• Fall Session: Arrivals from September 7, 2026, to January 4, 2027. Application deadline: May 31, 2026.
• Spring Session: Arrivals from February 1 to June 14, 2027. Application portal opens late July 2026. Application deadline: October 31, 2026.

Applications are reviewed in Rome by a committee led by the Director. Applicants are notified within six weeks of the closing deadline.

Arrivals are scheduled on Mondays; departures on Fridays.

Typical Arrival Dates - Fall: September 7, October 5, November 2, November 30, January 4 

Typical Arrival Dates - Spring: February 1, March 1, March 30*, April 26, May 24**, June 14**; Academic Year ends July 2.

*March 29, 2027, is a national holiday in Italy. 

** Three-week (18 nights) stay.

Visiting Artists & Scholars stay at the American Academy in Rome for a minimum of four weeks (25 nights), except for the stays starting on May 24, 2027, and June 14, 2027. Applicants may also request eight- or twelve-week stays. Longer stays are subject to availability of lodging and studio space.

Please note: Prices indicated are current and may be subject to change for the 2026-27 Academic Year.

Accommodations

• Single room with bath: €3,200 / 25 nights [€2,400 / 18 nights starting on May 24 and June 14, 2027]
• Double room with bath: €3,600 / 25 nights [€2,700 / 18 nights starting on May 24 and June 14, 2027]
• One-bedroom apartment: €4,400 / 25 nights [€3,300 / 18 nights starting on May 24 and June 14, 2027]
• Two-bedroom apartment: €5,200 / 25 nights [€3,900 / 18 nights starting on May 24 and June 14, 2027]
• Studio Suites (sleeping loft + studio): €6,400 / 25 nights [€5,400 / 18 nights starting on May 24 and June 14, 2027] (Some apartments available at Villa Aurelia; rates upon request)

Studios

• McKim, Mead & White Building: ~400 sq ft, 20-foot ceilings, natural light, work tables, easels, desks, sofa beds, sink.
• Smaller studios outside main building available with limited light.
• Studios are for work only; not suitable for residential use.
• Cost: €3,200 / 25 nights [€2,400 / 18 nights starting on May 24 and June 14, 2027]

Animals: Not permitted. Visitors arriving with animals must find external accommodation.

For questions about the application process or more information, please contact: vavsapplications [at] aarome.org (vavsapplications[at]aarome[dot]org)