Ringling College of Art and Design

Ringling College of Art and Design stands as a beacon for creative minds, distinguished by its unwavering dedication to art and design disciplines. Born from the visionary spirit of John Ringling, this institution has cultivated an environment where artistic exploration and professional mastery flourish, shaping the next generation of artists, designers, and innovators.

The college's captivating history traces back to 1931, initially as a branch of Florida Southern College. However, its unique ethos and a strong commitment to artistic freedom, notably involving the use of live models, quickly led to its independence in 1933. Renamed the Ringling School of Art, it made a decisive move in 1934 to concentrate solely on art education, shedding non-art related curricula. This focused approach, combined with the post-World War II G.I. Bill, spurred remarkable growth, with student enrollment nearly doubling from 250 in 1949 to 450 by 1959.

Today, Ringling College is recognized for its robust academic strengths and a student experience deeply immersed in the arts. It achieved full accreditation as a degree-granting institution by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1979, becoming the Ringling School of Art and Design. Further accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art in 1984 solidified its standing. With the addition of the Sarasota Art Museum as a prominent division in 2019, Ringling College continues to offer an enriching and dynamic educational journey for aspiring creatives, fostering an engaging and informative experience for all its students.