Leading the way in art and design education
Ringling College of Art and Design was established in 1931 by Dr. Ludd M. Spivey in collaboration with John Ringling. The first class had only 75 students and 13 faculty members.
Today, the College has over 1,700 undergraduate students and offers 13 degree programs. Many of our programs, including Computer Animation, Motion Design, and Game Art, are ranked among the best in the world.
Ringling College is the only institution in Florida dedicated exclusively to teaching art and design. The College believes that creative thinkers represent the future leaders of tomorrow and play a significant role in society as scholars, artists, designers, and creative professionals. We are a community comprised of beliefs and backgrounds from every corner of the world.
Ringling’s Mission and Vision:
Our Vision
Ringling College of Art and Design will be the preeminent college of art and design in the world.
Our Mission
Ringling College of Art and Design provides excellence in education; promotes innovation in art and design; and fosters the creative, intellectual, professional, and personal development of its students and the greater community at large. The College recognizes that scholars, artists, designers, and creative professionals play a significant role in society. Through its policies and practices, the College provides educational programs that help students, the community, and the world understand art and creativity as essential dimensions of life.
In support of this mission:
- Ringling College prepares students for successful careers that contribute positively to society.
- Ringling College strives to enroll both full and part-time students from diverse backgrounds who intend to become creative professionals.
- Ringling College provides community interaction within the complex world of cultural and artistic disciplines for cultural enlightenment, lifelong learning, artistic appreciation, and career development.
- Ringling’s curriculum balances the teaching of technical knowledge and skills with the development of critical, conceptual, and creative abilities and supports courses that provide historical, multicultural, global, and future perspectives.
- Ringling’s faculty consists of professionally active and teaching-oriented artists, designers, professionals, and scholars.
- Academic programs along with Advising, Career Services, and an extensive co-curricular student life program help prepare students for a creative profession, life-long learning, and graduate level studies.
- Ringling College provides the opportunity for all students to gain professional experience prior to graduation by connecting them with leading brands and clients to develop creative solutions to business challenges.
Our Core Values
Fundamental to the College’s mission are the following core values:
- Collaboration
- Community
- Creativity
- Diversity
- Innovation
- Integrity
- Professionalism
Accreditation
- Ringling College of Art and Design is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate degrees. Ringling College of Art and Design also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.
- The College is also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Institutional Memberships
Ringling College is a member of the following organizations:
- Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD). The group is a non-profit consortium of 42 leading art schools in the United States and Canada.
- Cumulus is the only global association serving art and design education and research. It is a forum for partnership and the transfer of knowledge and basic practices.
- Institutional Affiliate of Design Futures Council (DFC), a global network of design community professionals whose mission is to explore trends, changes, and new opportunities in design, architecture, engineering, construction, and building technology for the purpose of fostering innovation and building a better future.
Ringling College
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AllAcademic AffairsAdmissionsAdvancementAdvisingAlertsAlumniAnimationArt NetworkArticleAvant-GardeAwardsBasch GalleryBusiness of Art and DesignCampus GalleriesCareer ServicesCode RedCommencementCommunity Engaged LearningComputer AnimationCreative WritingDavis ScholarDesign CenterDiningDiversity & InclusionEntertainment DesignEsportsEventsFacilitiesFaculty & StaffFeaturedfeatured-homeFilmFine ArtsFirst Year Studio ProgramFullbrightGalleriesGame ArtGraphic DesignHollywoodIllustrationIn the NewsINDEXInterior DesignLazarusLiberal ArtsLibraryLocal PartnershipsMotion DesignMuseumNational Portfolio DayOLLIOpen HousePeterson Counseling CenterPhotographyPreCollegeRankingsRecognitionRecords & RegistrationRingling College Galleries and ExhibitionsRising TogetherSarasotaSarasota Art MuseumSecondSenior ProfileSpecial CollectionsStudentStudent Government AssociationStudent LifeStudio LabsSustainabilityThirdTrustee ScholarUncategorizedUWCVeteransVeterans ClubVirtual Reality DevelopmentVisual DevelopmentVisual StudiesVolunteerWeather
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