Even in its earliest days, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh operated with an eye toward employer's needs. In 1921, America was in the throes of a consumer buying frenzy. The advertising business was booming, stoking America's interest in the new and improved. In response to this emerging marketplace, The Art Institute graduated commercial artists who designed billboards and magazine ads that competed for the attention of the buying public.

Just over 80 years and six downtown locations later, the mission of The Art Institute to train students for creative careers remains the same. Otherwise, the resemblance is minimal for the flagship school of The Art Institutes system of schools.

For starters, the curriculum has expanded and changed to prepare graduates with creative skills. The technology revolution has impacted the art, design, and entertainment fields in ways most people never dreamed. The hallmark of The Art Institute has always been industry-relevant curricula. Now students enjoy 17 computer labs, equipped with program specific technology. Still, our curriculum is firmly rooted in the fundamental elements of design and composition. Our students learn the fundamentals of drawing, perspective, color theory, and design principles before they begin to tackle specialized software programs.

In addition to our historically successful two-year associate's degree programs, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh made history in January 2000 as the first post secondary career school to obtain bachelor's degree-granting status from the Pennsylvania State Department of Education.

Now, students have the potential to augment their earnings upon graduation and to better arm themselves with the tools and the knowledge needed to compete in today's art market. This also means that students enrolled in the bachelor's degree program have an extra year to enjoy college life and the sights and sounds of Pittsburgh, and an even better chance to be catch a foul ball careening out of PNC Park! (This has yet to happen, but you never know...)

In 2001, The Art Institute relocated all the way across the Golden Triangle and into an entirely renovated historic landmark building located at 420 Boulevard of the Allies. More square feet, more classrooms, more computers, even more vending machines -- everything is newer, larger, and better equipped to handle the needs of today's students.

MISSION

The mission of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh is to provide distinctive creative and collegiate education, based on a foundation of exemplary learning-centered practices, endowing graduates with skills, abilities, and competencies that enable them to achieve personal and professional success in an evolving global market.  Our mission drives AiP’s programs and practices and serves as the foundation for evaluating our college’s effectiveness. 

GOALS

Programs of study provide students with technologically rich, industry-ready skills; promote ethical practices and moral understanding; and contribute to their being responsible, productive members of society in their respective fields.

Faculty, many of whom are active and productive in industry-related careers, establish a learning environment that encourages freedom of expression, leadership and responsible decision making.

The faculty, administration and staff of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh provide quality programs and services in an environment that embraces civility and collaboration and fosters development of each student’s worth and potential, as each seeks to achieve personal and professional goals.

OBJECTIVES

Working with industry professionals, curricula are developed and revised by faculty to provide students with career-specific skills and abilities, as well as the knowledge and tools for communication, critical thinking, and human relations;

Innovation and market needs drive the development of new programs and services to be delivered or provided via the distance learning modality or by other non-traditional modes of delivery;

Creating an environment in which policy, recommended by faculty, staff, and students, assures freedom of expression, encourages responsible decision making, fosters collegiality, and contributes to innovation and positive thinking; 

Students are assisted in obtaining their first jobs in the field through introductions to working professionals via internships and community service opportunities, as well as through Program Advisory Councils (PACs), and through dedicated personnel in career services;

Encouraging employee involvement, teamwork and professional development and providing employees with activities and educational opportunities in support of this objective;

Effectively allocating resources through annual review and revision of long range institutional development plans, based on significant advances both within and external to the Institute’s culture;

And, we will maintain our reputation for quality and integrity among our faculty, administration, staff, students, and the external community through the education we offer and the community interaction we have historically sought within the region.