One of the most powerful effects of art, if not the most powerful, is the way art can change people’s minds, their lives, and even the world at large. From Muybridge’s Galloping Horse, to Frida Kahlo's Henry Ford Hospital, artists are able to push boundaries both technically and culturally with their creations, enriching the world and its people in the process. In a very real, material sense, artists are at the vanguard of social change and cultural evolution.
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) embraces this truth, and works to educate, enable, and encourage artists to push those boundaries. The art institution was established in 1963 in Denver, Colorado, and is dedicated to nurturing its creative talent through a rigorously innovative educational approach. With accreditations from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and offering 11 undergraduate programs in fields including interior design, illustration, animation, graphic design, and game art, RMCAD is well-equipped to prepare students to be influential forces in their industries and communities.
RMCAD reviews well, with glowing praise from students, faculty, and partnered organizations alike readily available. The college is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and community-oriented environment, all in service to the college’s mission: to inspire a passion for critical thinking, social responsibility, and community engagement in their students. From a robust Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) commitment, to regular workshops and partnerships with local organizations, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design gives students everything they need to leverage their artistic-selves toward social change and community involvement.
A Foundation Of Social Responsibility
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design’s focus on social responsibility and critical thinking goes back to its founding. Philip J. Steele, an illustrator and educator with a passion for nurturing students and developing their critical thinking skills, founded RMCAD to create a “community of creatives” infused with a love of creativity, innovation, and lifelong learning in both applied and fine arts. He also recognized the importance of diverse perspectives in such a community, and as a result the school maintains “a policy of inclusiveness that recognizes, values, and reflects the diversity of the community it serves.”
This foundation is also clearly shown in the college’s stated philosophy and core values. Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design abides by 10 Value Statements that read as follows:
“Our students come first”
“We are a campus of professionals, innovators and educators”
“We welcome individuality and self-reflection”
“We appreciate and celebrate our community”
“We communicate our campus pride and excitement”
“We are committed to consistent business processes and systems while fostering innovation”
“We work toward creating a financially sustainable model of higher education that considers the interests of our multiple stakeholders”
“We embrace a culture of leadership, trust, and communication”
“We understand the importance of taking risks and being adaptable to change”
“We value professionalism and role modeling”
With a defined mission statement that traces back to the college’s founding, and a defined set of values guiding the college toward the goals of that mission, it’s no surprise that RMCAD consistently produces artists and professionals of a socially responsible, critically adept caliber.
Community Engagement and Events
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design works with a number of partner organizations, businesses, and programs to give students a wide array of learning opportunities and community experiences. These partnerships allow the school to leverage its resources, connections, and students to affect change both locally and abroad, all in hopes of making the world a better place.
Some of these partnerships include the 40 West Arts District, one of Colorado’s state-certified creative districts and a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; Cumulus, the International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design, and Media, a global organization serving art and research; and the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA), an organization that connects business and the arts to advance the state’s creative economy. Each of these partnerships represent unique opportunities for learning, skill development, professional networking, and meaningful social change—all core components of RMCAD’s mission statement.
RMCAD also operates and hosts a number of programs and events internally for the benefit of students and faculty. One of those programs is the college’s Visiting Artist, Scholar, + Designer (VASD) Program, an initiative that unites the RMCAD community and invites the public to attend evening artist talks, workshops, and Q+A sessions with a roster of distinguished guests. The VASD program celebrates passionate curiosity and provides a platform to explore critical, diverse, and creative inquiry through different events and interactions with leading thinkers and makers from around the world. The guests of the VASD program also engage directly with RMCAD students and faculty via private events like studio visits, gallery talks, and workshops.
Notable Events and Opportunities
Unsurprisingly, RMCAD hosts a number of events that directly relate to the college’s commitment to social responsibility and cultural evolution through art. Recently, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design hosted the co-founder and executive director of Designing Justice + Designing Spaces, Deanna Van Buren as part of the college’s VASD program. Van Buren’s artist talk, “Making Space for Peace,” discusses her experience leveraging various mediums to spark conversation and spur change for racial equity and criminal justice reform. From public art, to film, to the mixed-media of video games, Van Buren’s multi-faceted approach to art and design represents a unique learning opportunity for both students and the public.
“Our VASD Program series welcomes distinguished artists and designers with one-of-a-kind experiences to share with our students,” RMCAD President Brent Fitch states. “Deanna Van Buren is an extraordinary voice in utilizing design for social change and we are honored to host her on our Lakewood campus.”
If you want to hear one of the leading voices in the conversation around criminal justice reform, and learn about the intersection of design, architecture, video games, and mass incarceration, you can watch the recording online.
