American Academy of Art College

American Academy of Art College

Type	Private for-profit art school
Active	1923 (1923)–2024
President	Richard H. Otto
Academic staff	21+ full time
Students	242
Location	Chicago , Illinois , United States 41°52′38.8″N 87°37′28.5″W
Website	www.aaart.edu

The American Academy of Art College was a private for-profit art school in Chicago, Illinois.[1] It was founded in 1923 for the education of fine and commercial arts students. In July 2024, the college announced its pending closure.[2]

History

The American Academy of Art was founded in 1923 by Frank Young and Harry L. Timmins to train students for careers in commercial and fine art.[3]

Academics

Enrollment was typically between 400 and 500 students. Eight areas of study were offered for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, all of which required 126 credit hours to graduate. The academy was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Notable alumni

• Joyce Ballantyne, illustrator
• Thomas Blackshear illustrator
• Bruce Burns
• Sandy Dvore, designer
• Gil Elvgren, illustrator
• Loren Long, author and illustrator
• Rupert Kinnard
• Alex Ross, comic book illustrator
• Richard Schmid, painter
• Richard Sloan, artist
• Daniel Sotomayor, political cartoonist (attended but did not graduate)
• Haddon Sundblom, illustrator
• Jill Thompson, author and illustrator
• John Tobias, game designer
• Kanye West, rapper (attended but did not graduate)

References

1. "American Academy of Art College". Higher Learning Commission. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
2. Greenberg, Susan H. "For-Profit Art College Closes in Chicago". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
3. "Academy History". American Academy of Art. Archived from the original on 16 April 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2008.

External links

• Official website