The "Izograf" School of Arts will accept 1,200 children after the major renovation.

      April 8, 2026 16:50 Culture and Leisure The three-story School of Arts and Crafts named after A.S. Pushkin "Izograf" on Ulyanova Street, 11 is preparing for its opening. The institution will start operating this spring after a major overhaul. The head of the city, Yuri Shalabaev, assessed how the school is being arranged.

      According to the mayor, after the licensing is completed, the school will be able to accept more than 1,200 children from across the city, including 77 kids with hearing and speech impairments.

      Yuri Shalabaev emphasized that in recent years, special attention has been paid to the development of additional education, which had long been under-supported. Among the examples he mentioned were the renovated Palace of Children's Creativity named after V.P. Chkalov, as well as its branch opened at the end of last year on Composer Kasyanov Street.

      Speaking about "Izograf," the city head noted that the school was previously located in a wooden building that did not meet modern requirements. As a result, a decision was made to move to a new facility in the city center, where comfortable conditions for classes have been created.

      "The building, located near the Kremlin, is ideal for an art school. We conducted a major renovation and equipped it with the necessary facilities. I am confident that the atmosphere of the city center and the cultural environment will inspire the children," said Yuri Shalabaev.

      The school plans to educate about 1,300 children in more than 30 programs. Traditional areas (academic drawing, painting, ceramics, pottery) will be preserved, and modern ones will emerge, including digital design and working with artificial intelligence.

      The school director, Galina Savkina, noted in a conversation with the mayor that the previous building was dear to the staff, but the move to the new space has become a significant and joyful event for everyone.

      Educational programs focused on art will be implemented in full-time, part-time, and distance formats. Classes for children aged 7 to 18 will be conducted by 18 teachers.

      "The school implements academic programs such as 'Watercolor. Drawing. Composition,' where a child becomes a prepared painter by the end. There are also decorative and applied areas - painting on wood with traditional Nizhny Novgorod ornaments: Khokhloma, Gorodets, Polkhov-Maidan, Merin. Special attention is paid to ceramics - from working with clay to firing and glazing," said Galina Savkina.

      As the director noted, everyone is now eagerly awaiting the moment when the institution receives its license.

      "We expect to complete the licensing procedure soon and welcome the children who have been waiting for this for a long time. The school is located in the city center with convenient transport accessibility, and there are large educational institutions nearby, so we anticipate high interest and full enrollment," concluded Savkina.

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