Founded in 1981, The Art Institute of California- San Diego has earned the respect from the industries it serves as a leading creative and applied arts educational institution in the region.

1981
The Art Institute of California — San Diego [formerly La Jolla Academy of Advertising Arts (LJAAA), The Advertising Arts College (TAAC) and later known as The Art Institute of California] was created based on the realization that most traditional college advertising or design graduates were not prepared to go to work. These graduates had acquired theoretical knowledge, but had little ability to perform hands-on tasks.

1986
The school became an accredited member of the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) [formerly the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools (NATTS)].

1987
The school received approval to offer associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, and the College became a member of the International Council of Design Schools (ICDS), allowing for articulation agreements with design schools throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and the Far East.

1996
The school won the regional American Advertising Federation “College World Series of Advertising.”

1997
The school was recognized with the Better Business Bureau Integrity Award.

1998
The San Diego Business Journal named the school for its first time as one of San Diego’s top
twenty-five colleges.

1999
The school changed its name from The Advertising Arts College to The Art Institute of California.

2000
The Art Institute of California-San Diego joined The Art Institutes system of 27 (number of schools in the system at that time) educational institutions located throughout North America.

2002
The school’s new 76,000 square-foot campus opened in Mission Valley, as enrollment doubled to more than 800 students in just two years.

2003
Spring enrollment surpassed 1000 students.

2004
The Art Institute opened its student-run dining facility, The Palette, to the public. By fall 2004, The Art Institute’s enrollment surpassed 1600 students.

2005
By fall 2005, The Art Institute’s enrollment surpassed 1800 students.