The Art Institutes Enters New Market In Virginia Beach

Hampton Roads’ Newest Creative Arts Destination Slated to Begin Classes in January 2010

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ — The Art Institutes system of schools officially announces the opening of The Art Institute of Virginia Beach. The new school, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, will hold its first day of classes on January 11, 2010.

The Art Institute of Virginia Beach will occupy approximately 35,000 square feet at Two Columbus Center, 4500 Main Street in the heart of Virginia Beach.  The school will begin enrolling students immediately.

“The Art Institutes schools have earned a strong, national reputation for excellence in creative arts education, and we look forward to bringing our signature culinary, fashion, design, and media arts programs to Virginia Beach,” says John Mazzoni, president of The Art Institutes.  “We see our expansion in the Virginia Beach community as a great opportunity to provide an inspiring environment to a new, creative class of students, while preparing them well to enter the workforce.”

Initially, The Art Institute of Virginia Beach will offer bachelor’s degree programs in Advertising, Culinary Arts Management, Fashion & Retail Management, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Media Arts & Animation, Photographic Imaging, and Web Design & Interactive Media; and associate’s degree programs in Culinary Arts, Graphic Design, and Web Design & Interactive Media.

“I am excited about the opportunity for The Art Institute of Virginia Beach to provide a career focused, market driven education to the residents of the Hampton Roads communities,” said Marilyn Burstein, newly appointed president of The Art Institute of Virginia Beach.  “Our team is looking forward to educating students, enhancing their professional development, and connecting them with the many fine business and professional organizations in the region.”

The Art Institute of Virginia Beach will join two existing Art Institute schools in the Commonwealth, with locations in Arlington, Va. and Sterling, Va.

For more information about The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, call (877) 437-4428 or visit the school’s website at www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=ai1001


The Art Institute of Virginia Beach is a branch campus of The Art Institute of Atlanta.  The Art Institute of Atlanta is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.   Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of The Art Institute of Atlanta.

The Art Institute of Virginia Beach is certified by The State Council of Higher Education to operate in Virginia.

The Art Institute of Virginia Beach is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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