Ringling College of Art and Design was established in 1931 by Dr. Ludd M. Spivey in collaboration with John Ringling. The first class had only 75 students and 13 faculty members.
Today, the College has over 1,700 undergraduate students and offers 13 degree programs. Many of our programs, including Computer Animation, Motion Design, and Game Art, are ranked among the best in the world.
Ringling College is the only institution in Florida dedicated exclusively to teaching art and design. The College believes that creative thinkers represent the future leaders of tomorrow and play a significant role in society as scholars, artists, designers, and creative professionals. We are a community comprised of beliefs and backgrounds from every corner of the world.
Fact Sheet
Ringling’s Mission and Vision:
Our Vision
Ringling College of Art and Design will be the preeminent college of art and design in the world.
Our Mission
Ringling College of Art and Design provides excellence in education; promotes innovation in art and design; and fosters the creative, intellectual, professional, and personal development of its students and the greater community at large. The College recognizes that scholars, artists, designers, and creative professionals play a significant role in society. Through its policies and practices, the College provides educational programs that help students, the community, and the world understand art and creativity as essential dimensions of life.
In support of this mission:
Ringling College prepares students for successful careers that contribute positively to society.
Ringling College strives to enroll both full and part-time students from diverse backgrounds who intend to become creative professionals.
Ringling College provides community interaction within the complex world of cultural and artistic disciplines for cultural enlightenment, lifelong learning, artistic appreciation, and career development.
Ringling’s curriculum balances the teaching of technical knowledge and skills with the development of critical, conceptual, and creative abilities and supports courses that provide historical, multicultural, global, and future perspectives.
Ringling’s faculty consists of professionally active and teaching-oriented artists, designers, professionals, and scholars.
Academic programs along with Advising, Career Services, and an extensive co-curricular student life program help prepare students for a creative profession, life-long learning, and graduate level studies.
Ringling College provides the opportunity for all students to gain professional experience prior to graduation by connecting them with leading brands and clients to develop creative solutions to business challenges.
Our Core Values
Fundamental to the College’s mission are the following core values:
Collaboration
Community
Creativity
Diversity
Innovation
Integrity
Professionalism
Start your career at Ringling College
We’re so glad you are considering working with us at Ringling College of Art and Design. Our campus community is a diverse blend of people, ideas, and creativity. From its students to the faculty, staff, alumni, and friends that support them, the College offers an intimate environment for learning.
Ringling College recognizes that creatives play a significant role in society. The College’s primary mission is to provide programs leading to degrees that prepare students to be discerning visual thinkers and ethical practitioners in their chosen area of art and design.
Art and design thrive through diversity.
We are a community comprised of beliefs and backgrounds from every corner of the world. That’s why we elevate, support, and empower our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters to celebrate their differences in an environment of trust and respect. Art and design exist and thrive through diversity.
Diversity of thought and perspective shapes cultures and conversations. It comprises the foundation on which Ringling College is built. Every community member adds to who we are: a dedicated, curious, quirky, and talented blend of creatives. We are relentless in our pursuit of brilliance and uncompromising in our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
