The Art Institute of Philadelphia
The Art Institutes logo
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| Established | 1969 |
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| Focus | Nonprofit institution |
| President | Charles Restivo |
| Owner | Dream Center Education Holdings (DCEH), LLC |
| Location | California, 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 art colleges owned by Dream Center Education Holdings. At its height, The Art Institutes had greater than 50 campuses. However, as the for-profit education sector came under scrutiny, many campuses saw a marked decrease in enrollment. As such, at least 30 schools closed in 2017. The schools offer master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and certificates in visual, creative, applied, and culinary arts.
The Art Institutes' former parent company, Education Management Corporation (EDMC), was 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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