Instituto Superior de Arte is Cuba’s national arts school, in Havana. Architect Ricardo Porro designed its distinctive brick buildings, with large domes, gardens and sculptures across a leafy campus. Students study subjects including painting, ceramics, sculpture, music and dance, and their work adds to the artistic feel of the grounds. You may be able to see performances during cultural events such as the Havana Biennale, but tourists should arrange permission before visiting; unannounced visitors have been turned away.
A school for the arts
Instituto Superior de Arte is Cuba’s national arts school. Its students train in painting, ceramics, sculpture, music and dance. The campus is also an active place of study, with artists and dancers among the people you may encounter there.
Student artwork is scattered around the grounds. An onsite store has also been noted as a place to look for work by students, including lithographs.
Ricardo Porro’s campus
Architect Ricardo Porro designed the school’s distinctive buildings, made primarily of brick and marked by large domes. Gardens and greenery surround the architecture, while sculptures form part of the campus setting.
The architecture has an unusual, expressive character. During the Havana Biennale, performances have taken place at the school, including the premiere of a new opera. Visiting during a cultural event can give you a chance to see the campus in use as a venue as well as a school.
Preguntas frecuentes
Can tourists visit Instituto Superior de Arte?
Permission may be needed, and visitors arriving without it have been turned away. Arrange access before making the trip.
What can you see at Instituto Superior de Arte?
The campus has Ricardo Porro’s brick buildings and domes, gardens, sculptures and student artwork. The school trains students in painting, ceramics, sculpture, music and dance.
How do you get to Instituto Superior de Arte from central Havana?
A private taxi may be needed from central Havana, particularly if you are not staying near Miramar.
