The Art Institutes
The Art Institutes logo
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| Established | 1969 |
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| Focus | For-profit education |
| President | Charles Restivo |
| Owner | Education Management Corporation (EDMC) |
| Location | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US |
| Coordinates | 40°26′31″N 79°59′59″W / 40.441947°N 79.999828°W |
| Website | www |
The Art Institutes (Ai) are a system of for-profit art colleges with 50 locations across the United States and one in Vancouver, Canada. However, at least 19 schools are in the process of closing, five additional schools are losing their accreditation, and three are on probation from their accreditor. The schools offer master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and certificates in visual, creative, applied, and culinary arts. The Art Institutes' parent company, Education Management Corporation (EDMC), is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In November 2014, EDMC was delisted from the NASDAQ amid financial difficulties, lawsuits, and investigations and its stock is valued at less than one cent per share.
Educational accreditation of The Art Institutes and their programs varies among campuses and programs. One of its accreditors, Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), has been criticized by a dozen states' Attorneys General for its lax standards.
In June 2016, the US Department of Education voted to end ACICS power to accredit. ACICS was stripped of its power to accredit in September. In December, nine additional Art Institutes were placed on probation by their accreditor, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Thousands of former students of the Art Institutes claim they have been deceived and misled by the schools and their recruiters and have filed claims with the US Department of Education. Art Institute students are able to file defense to repayment claims with the US Department of Education.
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