The Art Institute of Phoenix opened for business as an additional location of The Art Institute of Colorado (Denver) in September 1995, with classes beginning in January 1996. Initial program offerings included Associates of Applied Science degrees in Visual Communications, Computer Animation, Multimedia, and Video Production. The initial class was made up of 45 students across the four programs with a total staff and faculty of 17.

In July 1996, an additional Associates of Applied Science degree was offered in Culinary Arts. By the fall of 1997, The Art Institute of Phoenix had grown to a total student population of approximately 600 students offering five associate degree programs.

In the Fall of 1998, The Art Institute of Phoenix’s first Bachelor of Arts programs were offered in Computer Animation and Graphic Design. These two 36-month bachelor’s degree programs, along with the six associate degree program offerings, helped The Art Institute of Phoenix achieve a student population of over 800 students and approximately 110 staff and faculty in the fall of 1998.

Two additional Bachelor of Arts degree programs began in fall 1999: Bachelor of Arts in Game Art & Design and in Interior Design. Total student population was approximately 900 after the fall of 1999.

In the fall of 2000, a Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia & Web Design was added. The student population exceeded 1,000. In the winter of 2002 a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Production was added, and the student population exceeded 1,100.

Bachelor of Arts degrees in Digital Media Production and Visual Effects & Motion Graphics were added to The Art Institute of Phoenix catalog in 2002. The first was added to the Winter Quarter, the second in the Fall Quarter. Student population exceeded 1,200 in Fall 2003.

Bachelor of Arts degrees in Advertising and Fashion Marketing were added to The Art Institute of Phoenix catalog in 2003, Advertising in the Fall Quarter, and Fashion Marketing in the winter session. Visual & Game Programming was added in 2004.

A Bachelor of Arts degree in Culinary Arts was added to The Art Institute of Phoenix catalog in January of 2005. The associate degree in Culinary Arts received American Culinary Federation (ACF) accreditation in February of 2005. In February 2006, the Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design degree received Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). In March 2006, The Art Institute of Phoenix was granted status as a freestanding institution by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).

In 2007, a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Filmmaking & Video Production was added. In Winter 2008, an Associate of Applied Science in Baking & Pastry Arts was added. The Bachelor of Arts program in Digital Photography was launched in 2009. That year, The Art Institute of Phoenix received an eight-year grant of accreditation from ACICS through its reaccreditation process.