The John Hall Venice Course - What Is It ?
Put simply, the Course is an nine-week introduction to some of the finest and most thought-provoking achievements in the Western World, from the Classical Past to Today : it also considers some contemporary global issues.

The Course begins with a week in London and ends with a week in Florence and six days in Rome. The heart of the experience is Venice- being resident for six weeks in an Italian city, arguably the most beautiful and one of the most historic in the world. This allows a residential style of living in an environment of magnificent architecture and art. Students feel at home in Venice and get to know its unique personality- a different experience from that of sightseers in transit.

It is a pre-university Course , opening eyes, ears and minds - an inspirational experience, not a tour.

Click here to view or download our film

How are We Different ?

There are many programmes in Italy, of widely varying quality, mainly of the language-learning or art tour variety

The John Hall Course is Entirely Different.

• We spend a meaningful period of time – six weeks - in one Italian city - a memorable experience in itself.
• Residence in Venice gives time to absorb a whole range of interests – music, international cinema, literature as well as practical activities- drawing, photography, Italian and cookery - a major dimension which makes it much more than just an art tour. The daily programme varies on-site visits in front of works of art with lectures and discussions.
• Our staff of experts, around thirty, are all either rising young stars or already distinguished in their fields – university professors, curators, critics, conductors, theatre directors, writers.
• We have many privileged private visits :in London, the National Gallery, Christies Auction House, Richard Rogers Architects’ Studios ; in Venice, an unforgettable night visit to St.Mark’s, the Fondazione Giorgio Cini ; in Florence, the Uffizi, the Accademia ; in Rome the Borghese Gallery, the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Raphael’s Stanze , the Keats-Shelley Memorial House.
• The Course gives a foretaste of a university style of living and learning.

CONFUSED ABOUT WHICH COURSE TO CHOOSE?
Some students are bewildered by the variety of gap-year programmes on offer. Despite plenty of advice in schools and at gap-year fairs, the very great differences between courses are not always apparent. A recent post-course article from one of the John Hall Venice students in 2010 highlights the dilemma and gives a solution.
To read about her experience please go to Student View.

Referees

• Stephen Bann (Professor, History of Art, Bristol University)
• Michael Davies (Partner, Richard Rogers , Architects)
• Nicholas Hall (Joint International Head, Old Masters Paintings, Christies)
• Paul Hills (Professor of Renaissance Art, Courtauld Institute)
• Charles Hope (Director, Warburg Institute, London University)
• Deborah Howard (Professor, History of Architecture and Art, Cambridge University)
• Emma McKendrick (Headmistress, Downe House School)
• Nicholas Penny (Director, The National Gallery, London)
• Stephen Spurr (Headmaster, Westminster School)
• Andrew Trotman (Warden, St.Edward’s School, Oxford)