| Barbizon Modeling and Acting School | |
| Location: | Tampa, Florida |
| Established: | in New York City, New York, United States |
| Type: | Acting and modeling school |
Barbizon Modeling and Acting School is an international modeling and acting school headquartered in Tampa, Florida. The school provides instructional courses in the domain of modeling and personal development.[1] [2] [3] [4]
The first Barbizon School of Modeling and Acting was opened in 1939 on Fifth Avenue in New York City, New York, by Helen Fraser,[5] a fashion model and teacher with her husband, Dr. Fraser, a dentist. The Barbizon name was developed from the Fraser's vacations to France where they became interested in the town of Barbizon, a village outside of Paris known for the 19th-century Barbizon school of painters. She wrote a book Assignment in Modeling: A Guide to a Career in Fashion and Photographic Modeling.[6]
In 1950, Helen met Ronald Reagan, who would later become President of the United States, and awarded him with the Best-Dressed Man in America award she established. In 1951, Helen acted as a celebrity judge for the Miss Brooklyn Pageant, alongside actress Denise Darcel and comedian Steve Allen.[7]
Barbizon Modeling and Acting Centers are located in more than 200 markets across the United States. International locations include Bangkok, Toronto, Santo Domingo and Japan.
Barbizon School of Modeling and Acting has a student notebook, signed by the National Director.
In 1992, Barbizon initiated a college scholarship program, paying up to $100,000 of tuition[8] to scholarship recipients for any college or university in the United States.[9]