Alteration of Institutional Objective
The Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) has announced an update to its mission in the field of art and design education. This new mission focuses on preparing students to become influential forces in their industries and communities by integrating career planning, alumni engagement, and curriculum development beyond traditional classroom education.
This student-first approach, which emphasizes inclusivity, self-reflection, and professional development, is strategically aligned with industry needs through RMCAD's RMCAD RISE plan (Reflect, Innovate, Serve, and Evolve). The college offers both on-campus and online programs, providing industry-relevant, project-based learning with a focus on accessibility and adaptability in creative education.
The updated mission is the result of input from all stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, directors, advisory board, and board members. Their feedback was analysed by Dr. Meryl Epstein's team, aiming to enhance student success, program relevance, faculty talent, and creative empowerment.
The educational strategy at RMCAD is designed for dynamic creative fields, focusing on teaching artistic, digital, and critical thinking skills. The institution's faculty, comprised of talented and passionate experts, strive to inspire current and future art and design professionals.
While the mission update does not mention specific changes to the institution's approach to student success, program relevance, faculty talent, or creative empowerment, as stated in the previous mission, it does reflect a more focused approach.
RMCAD is currently awaiting board approval for the new mission. The institution does not provide details about its approach to reaccreditation, with the reaccreditation year set for 2020.
Other institutions also emphasize creativity, inclusivity, and community engagement in art education. For example, the National Art Education Association promotes equitable, innovative visual arts education, and some schools integrate arts into broader educational goals focusing on passion projects and arts integration. However, for a direct mission statement focused on online, industry-relevant, project-based learning, RMCAD provides the clearest, updated articulation.
In conclusion, the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design's mission update underscores its commitment to providing quality, industry-relevant education in the dynamic field of art and design. By focusing on student success, program relevance, faculty talent, and creative empowerment, RMCAD aims to inspire and prepare the next generation of art and design professionals.
- RMCAD's updated mission reflects a more focused approach to online education, prioritizing industry-relevant, project-based learning and emphasizing accessibility and adaptability in creative education.
- The Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design's new mission encompasses learning beyond traditional classroom education, incorporating online education as a strategic tool for student-first, career-oriented art and design education.
