The Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) is a private, for-profit art institution located in Lakewood, Colorado. Established in 1963 by artist and educator Philip J. Steele, RMCAD has grown into a recognized institution for creative education.
History
Founded in January 1963, RMCAD began when Philip J. Steele acquired the Art for All Studios from Dorothea Seeley Shulenburg. He later renamed it the Rocky Mountain School of Art and, on September 11, 1972, incorporated the institution.
As student enrollment grew, the college underwent multiple relocations. In 2003, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design moved from its Denver campus to its current Lakewood location. In 2010, Bill Heavener, Ed Haddock, and Jon Phelp—owners of Full Sail University—purchased a controlling stake from the Steele family. They introduced a restructuring initiative to revamp the curriculum. By 2014, RMCAD adjusted its campus course schedules to align with online offerings and transitioned most liberal arts courses to an online format as a cost-saving measure.
Accreditation
RMCAD holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Additionally, its Interior Design program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).
Students
The college has an undergraduate student population of approximately 1,400. The demographics include:
- 66% female, 34% male
- 41% minority and international students
- 79% of students from out-of-state
The average age of on-campus students is 23, while online students average 30 years old.
Campus
RMCAD’s campus spans 23 acres (9.3 ha) and includes 17 structures. Of these, 11 serve as classrooms, common areas, and support facilities, including four galleries and studio spaces. The campus is located at the former site of the Jewish Consumptives’ Relief Society, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places in Jefferson County, Colorado. However, under the leadership of RMCAD President Brent Fitch and the Full Sail ownership, some historical elements of the campus have been altered.
The campus is situated in the 40 West Arts District, near Casa Bonita.
