Art Institutes International Minnesota

About the CollegeThe Art Institutes International Minnesota is part of The Art Institutes, a system of proprietary colleges focusing on creative industries. The Art Institutes International Minnesota offered certificate, associates, and bachelor's degrees and at one time had an enrollment of over 2,000 students. The school is located in two facilities in Minneapolis, MN, the LaSalle Building, located at 15 South 9th Street in downtown Minneapolis, and the historic Pence Building, located on the corner of 8th and Hennepin. The Art Institutes International Minnesota houses a variety of classrooms, labs, kitchens, library, student lounges, photography studios, and a student-run restaurant called the “Gourmet Gallery.”On June 10, 2016 it was announced that the school would stop enrolling students into its programs effective immediately. It will close its doors in three years when the final class graduates.HistoryLocated in downtown Minneapolis, The Art Institutes International Minnesota prepares students for careers in the visual and practical arts. The Art Institutes International Minnesota was founded in 1964 by Petrena Lowthian establishing what was to become Lowthien College.In 1981, Lowthian College was authorized to award the Associate in Applied Science degree. The Art Institutes acquired the College in early 1997. In 2000, The Art Institutes International Minnesota was granted approval to award the Bachelor of Science degree and in 2004, was granted approval to award the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In 2008, The Art Institutes International Minnesota expanded to a second campus, located in the historical Pence Building at 800 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403.Art Institutes' parent company, Education Management Corporation, has been the target of investigations and lawsuits alleging overzealous and inappropriate recruitment practices.