Art Institute of Washington-Northern Virginia Opens in Sterling

The Art Institute of Washington-Northern Virginia–a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta and Loudoun’s newest institution of higher education–held grand opening ceremonies last week. The school occupies 19,000 square feet of the first floor of the “neon” building on Route 28 near Route 7 in the Corporate Office Park at Dulles Town Center, 21000 Atlantic Boulevard, Suite 100. Art institute Northern Virginia Campus Director Sam Ortiz, staff and students welcomed the community, government and business leaders to the grand opening on Oct. 28.

The theme of the evening ceremonies was “Where Creativity Takes Flight,” and spoke to both the Art Institute’s creative nature and the campus proximity to Dulles Airport and the National Air and Space Museum’s Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center. A signature Art Institute “paint splash” replaced the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Oritz explained that 36 students are enrolled in the inaugural classes at Ai-Northern Virginia, and were well into their third week of the first semester. Initially, the school will offer bachelor’s degree programs in Advertising, Fashion & Retail Management, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Media Arts & Animation, Photographic Imaging, and Web Design & Interactive Media; and associate’s degree programs in Graphic Design and Web Design & Interactive Media.

In addition to traditional classrooms, computer labs, a large library, a student lounge and a gallery complete the Art institute. Total tuition ranges from $90,000 for a bachelor’s degree to $45,000 for an associate’s degree, and incidental fees, depending on the program of study, according to the school's Web site.

The school joins the Art Institute of Washington, located in Arlington, Va., as the second Art Institute school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Both branches are part 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. The Art Institute of Washington-Northern Virginia is certified by The State Council of Higher Education. 

More information is available at www.artinstitutes.edu/northern-virginia and at 1-888-627-5008.

julia@loudouni.com