A philanthropic gesture

It all started with an act of generosity from Agustí Massana, who donated 500,000 pesetas to the City Council to create a free school where working-class children could get an education. In 1929, the newly established Escola Massana opened on C/ Avinyó and later moved, in 1935, to its present-day building in the old Hospital de la Santa Creu. The school has been training professionals in the applied arts and crafts ever since, in fields as diverse as painting, jewellery making, metalwork, photography, illustration, engraving and costume and set design.

A nest of artists and intellectuals

Escola Massana plans to move to Plaça de la Gardunya, determined to continue its role as the vibrant and creative centre it has always been. The school divides its teaching into three main areas (visual arts, applied arts and design), covering every level in its range of educational offers: baccalaureates in art, vocational training, undergraduate degrees, Master’s degrees, postgraduate courses and ongoing training.

Its community brings together students and teaching staff from all around and notable alumni include Carme Solé Vendrell, Joan-Josep Tharrats, Roser Capdevila, Carme Ruscalleda, Quim Monzó and Pau Riba.

Escola Massana is part of the Raval Cultural project, a collection of over three hundred cultural offerings from the neighbourhood.