College Profile: Ringling College of Art and Design

I’ve toured a lot of schools and am always impressed by buildings, facilities, and students. But on a recent trip to the Ringling College of Art & Design, I was blown away by what they had to offer students interested in creative arts. I roamed through one building with walls covered with every animated film I think I’ve ever seen (or pretty close), and the long list of Ringling students who had worked on each one. From sculpture, to computer animation, printmaking, graphic design, film, and any other artistic pursuit, the facilities were top notch and the post-graduate results extremely impressive.

Fun Facts:

• Ringling College spans a leafy 48‑acre campus in Sarasota, FL, with over 100 buildings dedicated to studios, galleries, a café, and a top‑tier library.

• Mascot? Meet Remy the Armadillo, uniquely representing the college spirit.

• Highly acclaimed: #1 worldwide for Motion Graphics, top‑3 overall among creative schools globally, and ranked top 5 for Film nationwide. Students graduate undergrad and often walk right into film careers with no further graduate school necessary.

  
  

History:

• Founded in March 1931 by Dr. Ludd M. Spivey and circus magnate John Ringling, originally as the School of Fine and Applied Art of the John and Mable Ringling Art Museum under Florida Southern College.

• Became independent in May 1933 and began focusing solely on art by 1934.

• Went from a humble start—75 students and 13 faculty—to over 1,700 students across 13 majors today.

• Accredited to grant full degrees in 1979, with further accreditation in 1984.

  
  

Traditions & Campus Culture:

• Catalyst for Creativity campaign, launched 2018–23, has raised over $127M toward facilities, scholarships, and community programs.

• The Alfred R. Goldstein Library, a 46,000 ft² creative hub with a café, group studios, rooftop terraces—opened in 2017 and regularly showcases student-sourced design.

• Ongoing community engagement includes the Paper Jam art book fair, gallery exhibitions, town halls, and partnerships with the Sarasota Art Museum and Madeby Gallery.

• Each October the nearby Ringling Museum hosts the Ringling International Arts Festival, featuring global artists and performances.

  
  

Student Snapshot:

• Enrollment: ~1,700 undergraduates.

• Gender breakdown: 74% female, 26% male.

• Diversity: Notably international (21%) representing 57 countries, plus nearly one-third U.S. minority representation.

• Ethnicity (2023–24): 44% White, 15% Hispanic, 10% Black, ~5% Asian, ~3% multiracial.

• Financial aid: 22% of students receive Pell Grants. Most students receive some form of aid.

• Student–faculty ratio: Exemplary 12:1 & 68% full‑time instructors.

• Outcomes: 96% of grads employed or in grad school within a year vs. 80% goal.

  
  

Why Choose Ringling?

1. Elite Programs – Computer Animation, Film, and Motion Design ranked among the world's best.

2. Vibrant Creative Culture – From film screenings and Esports to student galleries and workshops, there’s always something buzzing.

3. Community Spirit – Small size fosters collaboration, with studios, group critiques, and peer support central to the experience.

4. Global Perspective – Diverse student body from all 50 states and 57 countries; ESOL & Writing Studio support for international students.

5. Beautiful, Art-rich Surroundings – Nestled next to the iconic Ringling Museum campus and Sarasota’s cultural scene.

   
   

If you are thinking about art school, Ringling College of Art and Design blends rich history, world-class programs, a tight-knit creative community, and vibrant campus life. If you're looking to immerse yourself in a place that empowers artistic expression, fosters professional success, and celebrates creativity in every form, Ringling might just be your ideal school.

I highly recommend visiting in person, and checking out the website at https://www.ringling.edu/ to learn more about programs and the process of submitting your application and portfolio.