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Art Academy of Cincinnati is a private, independent college of art and design located in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. It is dedicated exclusively to the visual arts, offering accredited bachelor’s degrees (BFA) in a focused array of studio disciplines, as well as an associate degree (AAS) and a master's degree (MFA). This university’s core mission is to foster creativity, critical thinking, and professional mastery through an intensive studio-based curriculum and a comprehensive liberal arts component. The university leverages its location in a vibrant, arts-centric urban environment to fully integrate students into the professional arts community.

The university's origins are deeply intertwined with the history of art in the region, tracing back to 1869 when it began as the McMicken School of Design. It was later incorporated into the Cincinnati Museum Association in 1887 and officially renamed the Art Academy of Cincinnati. For over a century, it was housed in a building adjacent to the Cincinnati Art Museum in Eden Park. This close relationship allowed students immediate access to one of the nation’s premier art collections. A major milestone in the university’s evolution occurred in 2005 when it moved to its current, modern, and open campus in the Over-the-Rhine district, securing its independence and its connection to the city's rapidly revitalizing creative core while maintaining its dedication to traditional and contemporary arts education.

This university remains a dedicated and influential force in arts education, distinguished by its singular focus on the visual arts, its historic legacy, and its commitment to professional preparation. By offering an intensive studio curriculum within the stimulating context of a major urban arts hub, the university successfully trains students to become technically proficient, critically engaged, and professionally viable artists and designers. The university's independent structure and clear artistic mission solidify its status as a premier institution for those seeking a focused, rigorous, and highly practical education in the field of art and design.