Focus on your art for
an Academic Year or for a Calendar Year
Metàfora’s Studio Arts Program is a flexible art program made up of modular blocks which start multiple times a year, allowing students to begin with a 6-week block and extend as they deem fit. The Academic and Calendar Year options are our most popular formats.
Students taking the one year program can enter at foundation (Year 1) or advanced level (Year 2).
Our yearly trip to Madrid, is included in the course fees. Have a look here to see more information about the trip.
FLEXIBLE COURSE DATES
When you want to start?
Choose your dates on the Studio Arts Program
| BLOCK | BLOCK DATES |
| Block 1 | 9th Sept – 16th Oct, 2024 |
| Block 2 | 21st Oct – 29th Nov, 2024 |
| Block 3 | 20th Jan – 27th Feb, 2025 |
| Block 4 | 3rd Mar – 10th Apr, 2025 |
| Block 5 | 22nd Apr – 1st June 2025 |
ART PROGRAM
Scheduled classes
New classes and practical workshops are introduced to the Studio Arts Program every 6-weeks. These are the classes offered for the Academic Year 2024-25:
Whether admitted for long or short term studies, Metàfora’s Studio Arts Program caters for students from beginner to advanced level, based on their previous studies and experience.
INCLUDED FOR ONE-YEAR STUDENTS
Art trip to Madrid
Every February, Metàfora organizes an exciting 3-day trip to Madrid to visit ARCO, one of Europe’s largest international art fairs, featuring over 200 prestigious galleries.
During this time, Madrid transforms into a vibrant hub of artistic activity, with events like Open Studios, alternative art fairs, gallery festivals, and art parties. Our trip is a true art marathon, packed with opportunities to explore and engage with the city’s dynamic art scene.
The experience is curated especially for Metàfora students, with activities led by our in-house tutors, who bring their expertise and connections within Madrid’s artistic community.
In their free time, students are encouraged to visit iconic institutions like the Museo Reina Sofia to see Picasso’s masterpiece Guernica or the Museo del Prado to admire Velázquez’s Las Meninas, along with works by Goya and El Greco.
This trip is a highlight of the year, typically coinciding with Block 4. Beyond the art, it’s also a fantastic opportunity for students to connect, socialize, and enjoy Madrid’s rich cultural offerings.
The Madrid trip is organized as a low-budget experience and is included in the fees for first-year students enrolled in the Academic or Calendar Year programs. A small fee applies to other students and friends who wish to join.
Dates: 6-8 March, 2025
Metàfora offers transport, accommodation as well as art routes given by our in-house tutors.
COURSE CONTENT
Included for all students on the Studio Arts Program:
Tuition
- Choose between weekly drawing and painting classes
- Choose workshops in printing techniques, sculpture, performance, installation, and many more techniques
- Weekly tutorials for all students
- Artwork presentations every 6 weeks
- Off campus exhibition opportunities every block
- Open studio exhibitions
- Artist Residencies (for advanced students)
Working space
- Individual studio space of 6-8 m2
- Large working rooms upon reservation
- Two outdoor patios
COURSE LEVEL COMPARISON
Customised content
based on your artistic needs
| YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 |
|---|---|---|
| WORKSHOPS Students can choose up to 3 elective workshops | WORKSHOPS Students can choose up to 2 elective workshops | WORKSHOPS (Optional) Students can choose up to 2 elective workshops |
| STUDIO SPACE Included | STUDIO SPACE Included | STUDIO SPACE Optional |
| SPECIFIC TO YEAR 1 An art trip to Madrid! | SPECIFIC TO YEAR 2 Residency open call | SPECIFIC TO YEAR 3 Thesis presentation + Grad show |
| ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Artistic portfolio or previous knowledge of recent Art History is not required. | ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Artistic portfolio or previous knowledge of recent Art History is required. | ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Metàfora does not admit students directly to the 3rd year of the Studio Arts Program. |
Course fees
and applicable discounts
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 3
An Early Bird Discount is applicable to all students who pay their course fees in advance.
Refer to the table below to see the discount deadline for each block.
| BLOCK | BLOCK DATES |
20% EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT DEADLINE |
| Block 1 (2025-2026) |
8th Sept – 15th Oct, 2025 | 5th August, 2025 |
| Block 2 (2025-2026) | 20th Oct – 28th Nov, 2025 | 5th October, 2025 |
| Block 3 | 20th Jan – 27th Feb, 2025 | 5th December, 2024 |
| Block 4 | 3rd Mar – 10th Apr, 2025 | 5th February, 2025 |
| Block 5 | 22nd Apr – 1st June 2025 | 5th April, 2025 |
What is included in the Academic/Calendar Year?
Tuition:
- 10-15 weekly hours of mandatory workshops, classes and tutorials etc. (aprox 15 additional hours of individual studio work is expected)
- 12-15 hours of weekly Tools & Techniques workshops are included in the fees on the 1st and 2nd year, as these credits are mandatory. It is our experience that 3rd year students prefer to spend this time on individual studio work, and these credits are not mandatory on year 3.
- Have a look here to see the programmed classes of an academic year.
Should the student wish to attend Tools & Techniques classes during their 3rd year, an additional fee of 695€ is applicable.
Personal studio space and Project Rooms:
Students have individual studio spaces of 6-8 m2 and access to a range of large “Project Rooms”, available upon reservation.
In the full option payment for Metàfora’s Studio Arts program, the studio space is included on year 1 and 2, as it is our experience that 3rd year students often find a studio some where else in the city to work in.
Should the student want a personal studio space on campus during their 3rd year, an additional fee of 875€ is applicable.
The studios must be vacated by the end of June, unless the student is signed up for the Summer Block.
Metàfora closes its studios during August for cleaning and maintenance.
Continuing students are offered safe storage space for their belongings over the summer.
Materials:
Basic sample materials are available in all Tools & Techniques classes at no cost for the students.
Materials needed for the individual studio practice runs on the student’s account.
Trip to Madrid:
Every year Metàfora travels to Madrid during Block 4, coinciding with the international art fair ARCO. The trip is organized as “low budget” and includes the journey in train or bus and 2 nights in a shared room at a hostel in the center of Madrid. During the days in Madrid the accompanying tutors organize different activities for the students to join, the majority of which are free of cost. The trip is included in the fees of the first year on Metàfora’s Studio Arts Program. Students on year 2 and 3 are welcome for a fee of aprox. 150€.
Off Campus exhibitions: Metàfora organises 4-6 off-campus exhibitions every year in galleries and art institutions around Barcelona. Students are invited to respond to Open Calls organized by inhouse tutors.
Metàfora organizes orientation regarding set-up and contributes with drinks for the opening reception.
Open studio exhibitions: All students get to show their work in our two large Open Studio exhibitions (November and June). In these are shows there will normally be the most part of 300 visitors, press coverage etc.
NEW: Artist Residencies:
Metàfora has recently signed agreements with two artist residencies outside Barcelona: Can Serrat and Nau Estruch. Each year a 2nd year student is chosen for each of these, following an open call. During the residency (1-1 1/2 months) the student can keep contact with teachers and tutors.
The credits of this experience are convalidaded.
3rd year finals:
- Students on the 3rd year are assigned an external tutor for the last 4-5 months of their last year.
- Final presentations are hed at MACBA or other prestigeous institutions in Barcelona.
- The final exhibition is celebrated at Angels Barcelona, Joan Prats or other influencial galleries in Barcelona.
Accomodation:
Accommodation is not included in the fees.
Payment conditions:
Please see here for the entire list of Metàfora’s payment conditions
Reservation fee and remaining fee
Reservation fee:
When registring for the 1st year of Metàfora’s Studio Arts program, all that is necesssary is the payment of the reservation fee.
Upon payment, the student will recieve confirmation of reservation of their place on the course.
Metàfora does not guarantee the place without the payment of the reservation fee.
This payment will not be refunded under any circumstances.
For the 2nd and 3rd year on Metàfora’s Studio Arts Programs, a letter of admission is required to pay for the reservation: this is the case both for students passing from one year to the following (min. grade required for a pass is 65%) or for candidates appliying directly to the intermediate or advanced levels.
If the student wishes to cancel or postpone their registration, said payment will remain valid for a maximum of 12 months, counting from the beginning of the course in which the student originally enrolled (see “Deferring course start”).
Tuition payment:
The remaining tuition fee for Metàfora’s Studio Arts Programs must be paid at least 15 days before the start of the course.
If the student does not make the remaining payment within this period, they may lose their place in the course and go on to the waiting list. For bank transfers it is essential to send proof of payment to Metàfora within the deadline.
Once the course has started, there is no possibility of returning the enrollment (or part of it) if the student wishes to cancel or postpone his / her stay at Metàfora.
The remaining tuition fee can be paid in installments. Please see the section “Paying in installments” for details.
Payment conditions:
Please see here for the entire list of Metàfora’s payment conditions
Deferring course start
Defer the beginning of a course or change course:
If the student wishes to postpone course start or change to another course, the amount paid remains valid for a maximum of 12 months, subject to an additional fee (see below). The deferment period counts from the beginning of the course on which the student originally enrolled.
The fees will not be refunded under any circumstances.
During this period, the student may opt for other courses (subject to admission and free places). In the event that the fees for the new course do not coincide with the course chosen initially, the student will be requested to pay the difference. If the chosen course has a lower value than the one paid, the remaining amount will be saved for another Metàfora activity, for a maximum of 12 additional months.
To postpone the start of a course or change to another course, it is necessary to inform Metàfora by written notification at least 6 weeks before the beginning of the original course start.
A deferment letter carries an additional cost of 250€, to be added to the remaining fees.
Cancelling enrollment
Involuntary interruptions of studies:
In case of accident or illness during the course, studies may be interrupted for a maximum period of 12 months. It is essential to present a medical certificate in this regard. During this time the acquired economic commitment remains valid without any surcharge.
Voluntary interruptions of studies:
Once the course has started, there is no possibility of returning the tuition fee (or part of it) if the student wishes to cancel or postpone his/her stay at Metàfora.
In case a student decides to interrupt the studies voluntarily, he/she loses his place in the course and must comply with the acquired financial commitment. In no case will interrupting the course voluntarily leaves the student exempt from the financial commitments contracted.
If the student wishes to resume the studies in the future, he/she must restart the application and enrollment payment procedures again.
Payment conditions:
Please see here for the entire list of Metàfora’s payment conditions
Paying the year in 3 installments
Once the reservation fee of 495€ has been paid, the remaining fees for the full option are due as follows:
YEAR 1
- Installment 1: 3.797,61€, due 6 weeks before course start
- Installment 2: 1.898,80€, due December 1st
- Installment 3: 1.898,80€, due March 1st
YEAR 2
- Installment 1: 2.961,25€, due 6 weeks before course start
- Installment 2: 1.480,62€, due December 1st
- Installment 3: 1.480,62€, due March 1st
YEAR 3
- Installment 1: 2.152,70€, due 6 weeks before course start
- Installment 2: 1.076,35€, due December 1st
- Installment 3: 1.076,35€, due March 1st
Students who pay the fees in installments will be held liable for the fees of the duration of the ENTIRE course, even if they should decide to leave before the end date.
Payment conditions:
Please see here for the entire list of Metàfora’s payment conditions
Paying the year in 8 installments
Once the reservation fee of 495€ has been paid, the remaining fees for the full option are due as follows:
YEAR 1
- Installment 1: 2.398,92€, due 6 weeks before course start
- Installments 2 to 8: 795€, due monthly for 7 months
YEAR 2
- Installment 1: 1.345€, due 6 weeks before course start
- Installments 2 to 8: 695€, due monthly for 7 months
YEAR 3
- Installment 1: 1.049,40€, due 6 weeks before course start
- Installments 2 to 8: 495€, due monthly for 7 months
Students who pay the fees in installments will be held liable for the fees of the duration of the ENTIRE course, even if they should decide to leave before the end date.
Payment conditions:
Please see here for the entire list of Metàfora’s payment conditions
Start the Application Process
Please fill in the following registration form to start the sign up process:
1. Register
2. We will accompany you during your application *
3. Pay a reservation fee upon admission
4. Finalise your enrollment
* Students signing up for Year 2 will be requested to fill in an entry level form, send a portfolio of previous work, and sit for an informal admission interview.
Did you know that you can try the Studio Arts program for 6 weeks and then decide to stay for longer?
About the Metàfora Studio Arts Program
Student testimonials
Life at Metàfora, making new friends, artwork process and future plans. Listen to what our students have to say about the Studio Arts Program.
Videos from our YouTube Channel
Read what our students have to say on our blog
Recent exhibitions & events
Thesis presentations 2024
Graduation Show 2024
Misfit manifesto exhibition
Artist talk with Periferia Cimarronas
How a Soft Sculpture and Installation workshop can lead to a gallery exhibition
PLANTOCENE, CHTHULUCENE AND OTHER STORIES: A conversation between Paula Bruna & Helen Torres
LOOP Festival participation: “The Quilted Child” by Leyli Alakbarova
BECOMING OBJECTIFIED exhibition
