National Academy of Arts

The National Academy of Arts (Bulgarian:Национална художествена академия; abbreviated НХА, NAA) is an institution of higher education in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It is the oldest and most renowned school of arts in the country.

The National Academy of Arts was founded in 1896 by the noted artists and public figures Ivan Mrkvička, Anton Mitov and Dr Ivan Shishmanov, who drafted a bill regarding the establishment of the State School of Drawing. Czechs Mrkvička and Jaroslav Věšín were the first teachers in the State School. The faculty has also included Jewish sculptor Boris Schatz. Nikola Marinov served as Chancellor in the National Academy of Arts in the period 1935-1937 and was a professor between 1921 and 1940.