Mission and Vision
Mission
Our mission is to educate, inspire, and empower creative and design leaders.
Vision
With students at the heart of our mission and our faculty of practicing artists and designers, along with dedicated staff, committed to excellence, our vision is simple:
To be THE art & design school known as the best at educating, inspiring, empowering and connecting generations of creative leaders – turning passions into professions.
ArtCenter – Our Vision to 2030
Almost 100 years ago, ArtCenter was created to meet the needs of a rapidly changing and growing economy of creative and cultural industries. Our founder, Tink Adams, recognized industry needs that weren’t being met and responded by building one of the world’s most unique and leading design education institutions. This pioneering approach to higher education connected the creativity and talent of students with a faculty of creative professionals, leaders in their respective fields, to create an experience of creative professionalism. ArtCenter disrupted the status quo by creating an environment that was preparing students for the real world, and in turn, helped shape the world we live in today.
Over the past century, ArtCenter has continued to engage, adapt and innovate at the leading edge of art and design education. Our relationships with industry partners ensure we understand what the needs are and how to adapt our programming to prepare our students. The result has been a remarkably effective process for transforming passions into professions.
As we approach our second century, ArtCenter is once again reimagining and strengthening its role in art and design education. Our Vision to 2030 builds on our legacy, while responding to the needs of future creative learners and industries.
Our Strategic Intent
To deliver on our Vision to 2030, ArtCenter is focused on three interconnected actions: Refocus. Reinvest. Refresh.
Refocus
Align our academic portfolio, physical footprint and operations with the needs of the future
Reinvest
We will invest in what drives outcomes: our recruitment, a strong, visible and meaningful brand, deep industry relationships, and an exceptional student experience.
Refresh
Strengthen a sense of belonging and affinity within the ArtCenter community, while building the College’s capacity and our team’s ability to evolve through action and collaboration.
ArtCenter's Roadmap for Success
ArtCenter’s Vision to 2030 is advanced through four strategic themes that bring focus on priorities and guide investment. Together they ensure an exceptional student experience, a future-ready academic portfolio, a resilient foundation and a powerful network of partnerships.
Enhancing the ArtCenter Experience
We will strengthen the distinctive ArtCenter experience by enhancing strategic recruitment, improving the student experience, investing in the ArtCenter brand and celebrating faculty, staff and technology excellence.
Delivering the Academic Portfolio of the Future
ArtCenter will lead with degree programs that directly respond to industry needs, while expanding extended studies to support creative professionals throughout an entire career. Outcomes will be supported by data and insights.
Creating a Resilient Foundation
We will continue to evolve the campus for the future, focusing on people, place, technology and experiences. By optimizing operational efficiency and building financial reserves, we will ensure sustainability, agility and the ability to reinvest in what matters most in protecting the student's experience.
Strengthening and Expanding Strategic Networks and Partnerships
ArtCenter will fuel growth through partnership, activating alumni networks, deepening industry collaboration, and building new relationships with community and stakeholders. These connections will strengthen career pathways, fuel innovation and help build new revenue.
ArtCenter by 2030
Our vision is bold, visionary, realistic, and is designed to ensure we enter our second century with confidence and as a continued pillar of art and design leadership. By 2030, the College will look and feel very different, yet our heart and values will remain the same.
In 2030, ArtCenter will be:
- Consistently ranked in global top 3 of design schools for student outcomes in terms of job placement and return on investment
- Thriving with industry collaborations, seen as best in class of design schools—a top three choice for collaboration and recruitment
- A vibrant learning community—an energetic, dynamic campus and a community with a strong sense of belonging and passion, connecting students, faculty, staff, alumni and industry.
- More focused on industry relevant degrees and diversified career-long programs—increasing access, meeting students where they are.
- Strategically delivering programs and operations through collaborations with other leading institutions
- Operationally agile and more cost-efficient—supporting the affordability of our programs.
- A more culturally significant educational institution to LA, the US and the global design community.
- Strengthened by Alumni, donors and partners, securing a more robust endowment and reserves supporting students and financial stability for ArtCenter
Our History in Action
Since 1930, ArtCenter graduates have shaped culture, industry, and everyday life through human-centered art and design.
Leadership
Guiding ArtCenter’s mission and long-term vision.
ArtCenter Culture
A global community committed to belonging, respect, and creative expression.