Ringling College of Art and Design

Infobox University
name = Ringling College of Art and Design


image_size =
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established = March 31, 1931
type = Private, Art school
endowment = $8 million USDFact|date=July 2007
president = Dr. Larry R. Thompson
faculty = 130
undergrad = 1,005
city = Sarasota
state = Florida
country = USA
free_label =
free =
website = [http://www.ringling.edu/ www.ringling.edu]
footnotes =

Ringling College of Art and Design is a private, four-year accredited college located in Sarasota, Florida. The Ringling School offers BFA degrees in Computer Animation, Graphic and Interactive Communication, Fine Art, Illustration, Interior Design, and Photography and Digital Imaging. Minors and concentrations include Fine Arts, Photography and Digital Imaging, Game Design, Visual Development, and Business of Art and Design. Ringling's Computer Animation Program was recently rated the Best Computer Animation Program in North America by the acclaimed "3D World" magazine in 2007.

On the 17th of September, Ringling College of Art and Design became the first institution to license the CryEngine 2 for educational purposes.

History of Ringling College

Founded on March 31, 1931, the school was originally a joint venture between John Ringling, of the famed Ringling Brothers Circus and Dr. Budd Spivey, then President of Southern College which is now called the Florida Southern College of Lakeland. After much negotiation, it was decided that the school would be formed and that its name would be The School of Fine and Applied Art of the John and Mable Ringling Art Museum. The school was later renamed to the Ringling School of Art and Design. The building chosen as the site of the new school was originally a 2-star hotel. It was bought and it is now known as Keating Center and is used to house the administrative services, and part of the dormitory and classroom space.

In 1931, there were only 75 students and 13 faculty members. Each student paid $783 per year for tuition, board, room, fees, and books. Also, each student attended chapel services everyday and if they wanted to leave the town, written permission had to be received by the school's president or Dean of the College. One notable faculty member included Dr. Laura Ganno-McNeill, the first woman in the United States to have ever received a doctorate. Harold Fennyhough, known for his charcoal portraits, also taught at the school during the late 1940s.

When the Ringling School of Art and Design was founded by John Ringling in 1931, it was truly a "school" and not a college. Ringling began awarding Bachelor's degrees in the 1970s, but the school name remained. Many people understand that a "school" of art can also be a college, but many others do not. This is especially true outside the United States. As Ringling became more global in scope, it was essential that Ringling be universally recognized as a degree-granting institution. So, in 2007 the school changed its name from Ringling School of Art and Design to Ringling College of Art and Design.

Majors

*Computer Animation - The study of traditional as well as computer-assisted animation. Revolves around the ability to tell a story with moving images.
*Illustration - The study of the singular image and its ability to tell a story.
*Graphic and Interactive Communication - The use of type and image to communicate a message to a given audience.
*Fine Arts - The study of personal expression.
*Interior Design - The study of decorating interior space as well as architecture.
*Photography and Digital Imaging - The study of photography in a fine arts context.
*Digital Film - The study of film production in a digital format.
*Game Art and Design - The study of realizing the goals of game design through art. Covers game design, world-building, and designing and creating visual worlds that tell stories.
*Sculpture - new major beginning in Fall 2008
*Printmaking - new major beginning in Fall 2008
*Painting - new major beginning in Fall 2008
*Business of Art and Design - new major beginning in Fall 2008

New identity

As of April 16, 2007, Ringling School of Art and Design altered their name to Ringling College of Art and Design.

Taken from newsletter forwarded to all current and prospective students:

When we were founded by John Ringling in 1931, we were truly a "school" and not a college. We began awarding Bachelor's degrees in the 1970s, but the school name remained. Many people understand that a "school" of art can also be a college, but many others do not. This is especially true outside the United States. As we become more global in scope, it is essential that we be universally recognized as a degree-granting institution.

The logo is one of many versions that you will see in the coming months. The rectangle (a classic design) and type will not change, but the images will. They reflect our "visual voice" and represent contributions from students, alumni and faculty. Some are more graphic; others more free-form. They represent the way our institution is evolving, yet remaining constant.

[ [http://www.ringling.edu/NewsAndEvents.23.0.html www.ringling.edu] ]

Notable alumni

* Shawn Barber: Fine Artist and Illustrator.
* Fiore Custode: Fine Art Painter/ Teacher
* Carl Dobsky: Fine Artist represented by John Pence Gallery/ School Founder-ConceptArt.Org Atelier
* Andrew Jones: Concept Artist, Founder Massive Black Inc. and ConceptArt.Org
* Kevin Llewellyn: Fine Artist
* Jason Manley: Founder/President of both Massive Black Inc. and ConceptArt.Org
* Jim Moore: Lead Video Game Artist-Factor 5
* Paul Pavlovich: Illustrator and Graphic Designer
* Tim Rogerson: Painter of Disney Fine Art

Notable teachers past and present (if not listed above)

* Thomas B. Allen: Hall of Fame Illustrator
* Fiore Custode: Fine Artist/Painter
* Mario Naves: Fine Artist
* Loran Wilford: painter, American ity of Watercolor Artists
* Frank Rampolla: Graphic artist/Painter

ee also

Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida

References

External links

* [http://www.ringling.edu/ Ringling College of Art and Design official website]
* [http://www.ringling.edu/pdf/TheFirst50Years.pdf A more in-depth look at RSAD's history]
* [http://www.livejournal.com/community/rsad_freshman/ Ringling's Freshman Livejournal, a place where students can meet and discuss topics relating to their first year]
* [http://www.livejournal.com/community/rsad/ The Ringling School Livejournal community for all majors and years]