History

The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale (AiFL) was established in September 1968 and opened it doors just steps away from the sandy shores of what's known as the Gold Coast of Florida. Although a lot has changed throughout the years, the mission and goals of AiFL remain. Here's a brief summary of some outstanding events:

• 2006 Interior Design major receives the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER)

• 2005 American Culinary Federation's Achievement of Excellence Award – Chef’s Palette
  
  
• 2004 "College of the Year" named by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges
  
  
• 2002-2003, AiFL signed articulation agreements with Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties of Florida under the Tech Prep high school program. In 2002, AiFL also entered into a statewide articulation agreement with Florida Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ProStart School-to-Career Programs.
  
  
• 2001, AiFL was awarded the Distinguished Performance Award of Career College of the Year by the National Alliance of Business (NAB).
  
  
• 2001, AiFL approved three study-abroad articulation agreements with colleges in Germany, Argentina, and South Korea.
  
  
• 2001, AiFL initiated conversion of the college’s course codes to codes approved by Florida’s Statewide Course Numbering System to ease transfer of credit. This code conversion continues.
  
  
• In 2000, college was accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and enrollment surpassed 3,000 students
  
  
• September 1989, expanded facilities to include 1650 SE 17 Street, known as Harbor Walk
  
  
• 1987, the State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities approved the conferring of AiFL’s first bachelor’s-level degree.
  
  
• May 1986, moved from East Las Olas Boulevard to 1799 SE 17 Street in Fort Lauderdale
  
  
• 1979, AiFL was recognized as a two-year degree-granting institution in the State of Florida, authorized to confer Associate of Science degrees by the State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities.
  
  
• February 1975, AiFL was licensed by the State Board of Independent Postsecondary Vocational, Technical, Trade, and Business Schools.
  
  
• November 1973, Education Management Corporation (EDMC) purchased The Art Institute from its founder, the late Mark K. Wheeler
  
  
• April 1971, AiFL was granted accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Trade and Technical Schools of the Career College Association.
  
  
• September 1968, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale opened its doors, offering diploma programs in Commercial Art, Interior Design, and Fashion Illustration.