Troy

Commercial arts college opens in Troy

By Terry Oparka
C & G Staff Writer

Aspiring photographers, graphic designers, Web designers, interior designers, animators and fashion merchandisers have a new option for undergraduate studies in Troy.

The Art Institute of Michigan – Troy, part of the Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago and the Art Institutes’ system of 45 institutions across the North America, will begin offering classes next month.

Initially, the Art Institute of Michigan – Troy will offer bachelor’s degree programs in digital photography, fashion marketing and management, graphic design, interior design, media arts and animation, and Web design and interactive media. The institute will offer associate degree programs in fashion merchandising and graphic design; and diploma programs in digital image management, fashion retailing, Web design and development, and Web design and interactive communications.

This is the Art Institute of Michigan’s second location. A Novi campus opened in 2007.

The Troy campus will operate in 18,900 square feet of remodeled space at 1414 E. Maple.

“We are excited to expand our fashion, design and media arts programs in the greater Detroit community,” John Mazzoni, president of the Art Institutes, said in a prepared statement. “After looking at the amount of creative talent and the professional opportunities in this area, we knew there was no question about where to open an additional location in the state, to provide the same caliber of education as our Novi … school.”

Campus Director Turner Berg, who previously served as admissions director at the Novi campus, said that the college looks forward to working with the businesses and organizations in the Troy area to meet employment needs in this region.

Berg explained that a wide range of businesses have critical social media and online digital needs.

He also noted that although the campus is new to Troy, the college has operated the main campus in downtown Chicago for decades and in Novi since 2007. “We can harness that infrastructure,” he said.

“We have a strong grasp of who and what we are. We offer highly trained graduates a wide range of placement in the commercial creative arts field,” he said.

He said the Troy campus offers geographic convenience and is assessable from all points, even the bus line. “Troy is a business hub, and we are right in the middle of this amazing city,” he said. “This opens up our educational opportunities to folks who wouldn’t have gotten out to us in Novi. We’re excited about our first class of students.”

For more information about the Art Institute of Michigan – Troy, call (877) 320-3275 or visit www.artinstitutes.edu/troy.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Terry Oparka at toparka@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1054.