THE ART INSTITUTES AND AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS NATIONAL POSTER DESIGN CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED

Florida Student Off to a Great Start in Art: $25,000 Scholarship Awarded to Attend Miami International University
of Art & Design

(PITTSBURGH) May 26, 2005 - Twenty-five high school students from across the country interested in a graphic design career competed in the 2005 Poster Design Scholarship Competition, sponsored by The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts. Students created original poster artwork that expressed the slogan "Art is a Global Language," and wrote designer statements explaining their poster concept and why they want to enter the graphic design field.

This year's national first place winner is Adrian Patino, of Miami, Florida. Patino is a senior at Miami Coral Park Senior High School and plans to attend The Art Institutes' Miami International University of Art & Design to study graphic design.

"I have always wanted to study something that would satisfy me intellectually and economically. The idea of using my creativity, my imagination, and artistic skills to pursue a graphic design career has always fascinated me. I have strong motivation and a lot of determination to become a great designer." says Patino.

"We're pleased to be collaborating with Americans for the Arts because we believe, as educators, this is a critical time to support and strengthen the universal role that the arts play in our lives and in the world," says Dave Pauldine, President of The Art Institutes.

According to Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts, "As funding for arts programs across the country continue to face budget cuts, we want young people to remember that art is a valuable communication tool, helping us to transcend language barriers and cultures-a tool that needs to be promoted and preserved."

The contest, which began in February, took place in two stages - locally and nationally. Students submitted their entries to an Art Institute of choice, where local competitions were held by February 11. These local winners' entries from the preliminary round were placed into consideration for national judging, which took place April 13 - 27.

A panel of 16 art and graphic design professionals, as well as representatives from The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts, visited The Art Institutes' website (www.aii.edu/posterdesign) and scored the 25 entries on a 100 point-value system. More than $200,000 in scholarships have been awarded to the top 10 students in the national competition.

As for Patino, he is looking forward to attending Miami International University of Art & Design and beginning his graphic design career.

"I am extremely excited about attending Miami International University of Art & Design, it will be a priceless experience in which my knowledge, skills and creativity will be put to the test. I am also looking forward to start studying at the University because I want to enter an environment that is focused on art, my biggest fascination in life." says Patino.

Patino's and all preliminary competition winners' work will be used in a promotional calendar, to be distributed to high schools across North America. In addition, The Art Institutes created an online gallery of all scholarship winning artwork on its web site at: http://www.artinstitutes.edu/posterdesign/.

Participating locations included: The Art Institute of Washington (Arlington, VA) (a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, GA), The Art Institute of Atlanta (GA), The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles, The Art Institute of California - Orange County, The Art Institute of California - San Diego, The Art Institute of California - San Francisco, The Art Institute of Charlotte (NC), The Art Institute of Colorado (Denver), The Art Institute of Dallas (TX), The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale (FL), The Art Institute of Houston (TX), The Art Institute of Las Vegas (NV), Miami International University of Art & Design (FL), The Art Institutes International Minnesota (Minneapolis), The Art Institute of New York City (NY), The Art Institute of Philadelphia (PA), The Art Institute of Phoenix (AZ), The Art Institute of Pittsburgh (PA), The Art Institute of Portland (OR), The Art Institute of Seattle (WA), The Art Institute of Tampa (FL) (a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design), The Art Institute of Vancouver, Canada, The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago, and The Illinois Institute of Art - Schaumburg (accredited by ACCSCT as a branch of The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago) and Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts (York, PA).

About The Art Institutes

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu/poster), with 31 education institutions located throughout North America, provides an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals. The parent company of The Art Institutes, Education Management Corporation (www.edmc.com) is among the largest providers of private post-secondary education in North America, based on student enrollment and revenue. Student enrollment exceeded 66,000 as of fall 2004. EDMC has 70 primary campus locations in 24 states and two Canadian provinces. EDMC's education institutions offer a broad range of academic programs concentrated in the media arts, design, fashion, culinary arts, behavioral sciences, health sciences, education, information technology and business fields, culminating in the award of associate's through doctoral degrees. EDMC has provided career-oriented education for over 40 years.

About Americans for the Arts

Americans for the Arts is the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With more than 40 years of service, we are dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org for more information.

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