ACADEMY’S HISTORY
The IEA was founded in 2012 and focused its activity on providing new and experienced intaglio engravers/designers with strong competences in both hand engraving and digital engraving. The IEA was conceived by Bruno under the aegis of Fausto Giori (General Manager) and Mark Stvenson (President of the IBDA) and was enjoyed teaching support from a host of internationally recognized Master Engravers, visiting lecturers and industry experts with intent to protect, preserve and promote excellence in intaglio, the 500-year-old craft of hand engraving and intaglio artwork design.
To date the IEA has trained over 30 intaglio engravers from around the world and more than 50 banknotes have been issued to date containing intaglio engraving and design work by IEA students.
The Intaglio Engraver Academy Becomes The BCB-Academy
The Intaglio Engraver Academy Becomes The BCB-Academy
Today the IEA embarks on a new chapter as Mr. Bruno Cerboni Bajardi assumes complete responsibility for this global centre of excellence with the full approval of the international banknote industry.
The BCB-Academy will continue to create value for the banknote community through intaglio engraver/design skill development, ensuring a constant availability of highly qualified intaglio design professionals today and in the future.
The Academy
The BCB-Academy is a unique facility with a dedicated infrastructure for developing the skills of our communities current and future intaglio engravers/designers. The very latest digital design tools and hardware co-exist alongside multiple hand engraver studios. Audio visual equipment, a dedicated distant learning laboratory, a host of intaglio proofing equipment and an ambiance conducive to reflection and learning all combine to make the BCB-Academy a special place for special people with a passion to learn and evolve. Essentially the BCB-Academy activities revolve around the following core elements:
• Banknote Engraver education and development
• Engraving work for the banknote community
• Education & Commissioned Artwork for the Fine Arts World
The BCB-Academy is equipped with an intaglio artwork reference library, drawing and sketch tables along with all the tools necessary for an intaglio engraver to test and develop their design technique preferences and experiment with this artform.
Students will also benefit from the academic environment provided by the beautiful city of Urbino which can be considered the birthplace of contemporary intaglio and enjoys a long history of intaglio engraving stemming back all the way to the times of Raffaello. Urbino is a UNESCO Heritage site and hosts one of the oldest universities in Italy along with countless museums and galleries dedicated to the subject of intaglio artwork and engraving.
The BCB-Academy state-of-the-art technology and expert teaching resources married with Urbino’s rich history of intaglio make the learning experience at the BCB-Academy a unique and unforgettable experience for all who visit us.