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The Art Institutes has announced the permanent closure of several of its campuses, including the Houston location. The private for-profit school, headquartered in Atlanta, informed students that it would be shutting down operations on September 30th. In a statement on its website, the Art Institutes encouraged students to complete their education at another school and assured them that they were working with partners to facilitate transfers.
The closure affects not only the Art Institute of Houston but also other locations such as the Miami International University of Art & Design, the Art Institutes of Dallas and Tampa, the Art Institute of Atlanta and its branch in Virginia Beach, and the Art Institutes of Austin and San Antonio. The announcement was reportedly made via email, and the Art Institutes faced challenges in finding alternative arrangements with other colleges and universities due to the limited time.
One student from Houston expressed their disappointment, stating that the school had built a legacy despite facing numerous challenges in the past decade. According to reports, the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in the shutdown as the Art Institutes' education model did not align well with the necessity for virtual learning. Students have until the end of the month to access their records before the website is permanently taken down.
As students search for other educational opportunities, the Art Institutes is committed to assisting them in transferring to other schools. The closure of these campuses marks the end of an era for the Art Institutes and leaves many students and faculty members seeking new paths for their education and careers.