Dare to dream of a place where art and design converge? That place is Art Center College of Design. Founded in 1930, Art Center College of Design stands as a beacon for aspiring artists and designers. It is located in Pasadena California. This private art university has shaped the landscape of visual arts and design for nearly a century.
Originally named ArtCenter School, its roots trace back to downtown Los Angeles. Edward A. “Tink” Adams founded Art Center College of Design. In 1935 Fred R. Archer established its photography department. Ansel Adams even graced its halls as a guest instructor in the late 1930s.
During World War II, Art Center College of Design contributed to the war effort. It ran a technical illustration program with the California Institute of Technology. The post-war era brought significant expansion. In 1947 Art Center College of Design relocated to the former Cumnock School for Girls. It maintained a presence at its original downtown location. By 1949 Art Center College of Design began granting Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in arts. It gained full accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in 1955.
The school officially became Art Center College of Design in 1965. The college broadened its curriculum and introduced a film program in 1973. A major move occurred in 1976 when the school shifted to the Hillside Campus in Pasadena. From 1986 to 1996, Art Center College of Design operated ArtCenter Europe in Vevey Switzerland. In 2003, Art Center College of Design earned Non-governmental organization status from the UN.
Art Center College of Design opened its South Campus in Pasadena in 2004. A fundraising campaign launched in 2011 exceeded its goal. It raised $124 million for scholarships and campus expansion by 2019. In 2020 Art Center College of Design celebrated its 90th anniversary.
Art Center College of Design offers a wide range of programs. These include undergraduate and graduate degrees in art and design. Public programs are available for children, high school students, and adults. It is one of the few schools that offers a degree in Interaction Design. The Pasadena campuses are architecturally significant. Art Center College of Design is known for preparing G.I.s for commercial arts. In 2003, it became the first design college to receive NGO status from the United Nations.
The college’s logo is an orange circle known as the Art Center “Dot”. Tink Adams and colleagues created it. Art Center College of Design is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Notably, DesignIntelligence consistently ranks its undergraduate and graduate industrial design programs number one. U.S. News & World Report also places Art Center College of Design’s art, industrial design, and media design practices programs among the top 20 in the U.S. The Hollywood Reporter has recognized its film programs as among the top 25 globally.
The Hillside Campus is a modernist design by Craig Ellwood. The “bridge building” spans an arroyo on 175 acres. It features classrooms, studios, computer labs, and the James Lemont Fogg Memorial Library. The South Campus opened in 2004 in a former aircraft-testing facility. It houses graduate programs, exhibition space, and public programs.
Art Center College of Design’s impact extends beyond its campus. Its graduates have a median salary of $70700. The college continues to shape the future of art and design. It fosters creativity, innovation, and social responsibility in its students.
As you stand here remember the countless artists and designers who honed their skills within these walls. Their creations have influenced our world. Art Center College of Design remains a place of inspiration and transformation.