Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Lakewood, CO
Quick Facts
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
RMCAD: Crafting creative futures in art & design since 1963.
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) stands as a vibrant private institution dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists and designers. With a rich legacy rooted in creativity, RMCAD offers a specialized environment where students can immerse themselves in various artistic disciplines, preparing them for dynamic careers in the visual arts.
The college's journey began in January 1963 when artist and educator Philip J. Steele acquired "Art for All Studios" and rebranded it as the "Rocky Mountain School of Art." Through dedication and growing enrollment, the institution evolved, eventually incorporating in 1972. This growth necessitated several moves, culminating in its relocation to a spacious, dedicated campus in Lakewood, Colorado, in 2003, providing students with state-of-the-art facilities.
A pivotal moment arrived in 2010 when the owners of Full Sail University acquired a controlling share, embarking on an ambitious initiative to restructure the college and its curriculum. This period marked a significant enhancement in academic offerings and a forward-thinking approach to education. By 2014, RMCAD further innovated its learning model, aligning in-person campus courses with online classes and moving most liberal arts courses online to provide a flexible yet rigorous academic experience.
Today, under the leadership of President Brent Fitch, RMCAD continues to be a hub for aspiring creatives. It’s an ideal choice for students seeking an engaging, career-focused art and design education that balances a proud history with an adaptive, modern approach to learning.
Key Highlights
- ✦Established in 1963 by artist and educator Philip J. Steele.
- ✦Operates as a private, for-profit art school, specializing in creative disciplines.
- ✦Relocated to its current, expanded Lakewood campus in 2003.
- ✦Underwent significant curriculum restructuring after a 2010 acquisition by the owners of Full Sail University.
- ✦Pioneered a hybrid learning model in 2014, shifting most liberal arts courses online to complement intensive art and design studies.
Timeline
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