Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

The Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) is a for-profit art and design school in Lakewood, Colorado.[1] The college was founded in 1963 by Philip J. Steele, an artist and teacher.[2]

Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
TypePrivate
Established1963
PresidentChristopher L. Spohn
Academic staff
73 fulltime
Administrative staff
150
Location
Lakewood
,
Colorado
,
United States

39°44′37″N 105°4′12″W
CampusUrban
23 acres (9.3 hectares)
ColorsOrange
NicknameRMCAD
Websitewww.rmcad.edu
RMCAD's Lakewood, Colorado Campus at night

History

RMCAD was founded in 1963 by Philip J. Steele, an artist and teacher. The college relocated several times as it increased enrollment. In 2003 the college moved from its 3-building Denver location, to its current and larger location in the suburb of Lakewood.[3] In 2010, a group of investors who own Full Sail University purchased a controlling share of the college from the Steele family, and began an initiative to restructure the college and curriculum.[4] In 2014, amidst a turnover of a significant number of key faculty, RMCAD rescheduled its in-person campus courses to align with the scheduling of online classes, and to cut costs moved most liberal arts courses on line.[5] Currently, RMCAD is affiliated with Full Sail University.[6]

Academics

RMCAD is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)[7] and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design[8] and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). In addition, RMCAD is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The on-campus professional interior design BFA program and the online BFA interior design program (August 2016) are fully accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.[9]

Students

Approximately 1,095 undergraduate students with a student body is 66% female, 34% male, 41% minorities and international students. Seventy-nine percent of students are out-of-state.[10]

Student to instructor ratio is above average at 9 students for every 1 instructor and the average class size is 8 students. The average age of on-campus students is 23 and the average on-line student is 30.[11]

Campus

Rocky Mountain College of Art campus comprises 23 acres.[12] The RMCAD campus has the designation of National Historic District.[13] Currently, the campus has 17 structures, 11 of which are devoted to classrooms, common areas, and other support spaces, including four galleries and studio spaces. The campus is the former site of the Jewish Consumptives Relief Society (JCRS), included in the National Register of Historic Places listings in Jefferson County, Colorado[14] and is located in the 40 West Arts District[15] close to Casa Bonita.[16] The campus is located in the city of Lakewood, Colorado which is between the city of Denver and the foothills of Colorado's Front Range mountains.[17]

Galleries

The college has four main galleries; the Philip J. Steele Gallery, Rude Gallery, Alumni Gallery, and Student Gallery.[18] The Philip J. Steele Gallery is the largest gallery on campus and is named after the founder of the college. Rude Gallery is a more intimate space in the Rude Building, and the Alumni Gallery is located in the main foyer of the Texas building.[19] The student gallery is located in the EPiC building and is run by a jury of students who select the work to be displayed.

References
  1. Vandewart, Lindsay. "One of Denver's Old Art Galleries Sets Sale this Weekend". 303 Magazine.
  2. Hahn, Nancy. "Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design – A Blend of the New and the Old in Lakewood". Neighborhood Gazette.
  3. Jones, Corey. "Upheavals Lead To Uncertainty At Colorado Art School".
  4. Jones, Corey. "Upheavals Lead To Uncertainty At Colorado Art School".
  5. Vaccarelli, Joe. "Students stirred over structural changes at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design". The Denver Post.
  6. "Full Sail University: Policies and Guidelines".
  7. "HLC Statement of Accreditation Status". Higher Learning Commission.
  8. "NASAD Accredited Institutions". NASAD.
  9. "Summary of Accreditation Findings". Council for Interior Design Accreditation.
  10. "Students at Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design". Niche.com.
  11. "Big Future – Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design". CollegeBoard. College Summary.
  12. "Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Ranking". US News and World Reports.
  13. "Jefferson County Historic Site Listings". History Colorado.
  14. Newton, Joel. "JCRS and the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society". Neighborhood Gazette.
  15. "40West Arts District Destinations". 40 West Arts District.
  16. "South Park Casa Bonita". IMDB.
  17. "Lakewood". Colorado.com.
  18. "Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design – A Blend of the New and the Old in Lakewood". Neighborhood Gazette.
  19. Rinaldi, Ray. "Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design exhibit showcases works by Guerra de la Paz, others". Denver Post.
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