Ryman Arts and Otis College of Art and Design Announce Collaboration

Advanced high school art education program to be held on Otis campus

LOS ANGELES, May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ryman Arts, an arts education program that fosters the education of talented young artists in Southern California, and Otis College of Art and Design, the first independent college of art and design in Southern California, today announce a dynamic new collaboration. Ryman Arts' free, advanced studio art classes for high school students will be held on the Otis campus beginning in September 2011.

"We are thrilled to work with Otis," says Diane Brigham, Executive Director of Ryman Arts, citing a "vital need" to provide professional fine art classes to talented teens, fostering their artistic and personal growth. "This collaboration is especially exciting because it offers gifted teen artists the opportunity to learn in a creative environment, along with the added inspiration of being on the campus of a major professional college of art and design."

"The synergy of this partnership is a natural fit. Otis links students to careers and opportunities that power the economy, better the world, and forge a more sustainable future for all," notes Otis President Samuel Hoi. "Otis students and faculty will serve as great role models for Ryman Arts students, and Ryman Arts will further enliven the Otis community."

"Visual arts programs in our schools continue to decline, dropout rates remain unacceptably high and too few teens envision a path to college or a successful life in the arts," says Brigham. "Ryman Arts is addressing this trend by serving the growing number of high potential youth who need a creative and supportive learning environment."

"Nearly all Ryman Arts graduates go on to college and many ultimately pursue careers in the arts," says Marty Sklar, President of the Board of Ryman Arts. "As we begin our 22nd year, our graduates are well-positioned to meet the demands of creative industries, and our collaboration with Otis will further strengthen that aspect of our program."

Application to Ryman Arts' advanced studio art program, which includes 12-week semesters that teach drawing and painting classes at a college level, is open to all high school students with talent, passion and motivation. The program is designed to help young artists achieve their dreams by strengthening their art skills, while also preparing for college and an arts-related career. Beginning with the Fall 2011 semester, the 3-1/2 hour classes will be held on Sundays at Otis College of Art and Design in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles. Applications for the Fall 2011 semester are currently available at rymanarts.org. Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered to Ryman Arts by June 17, 2011.

According to Brigham, plans are underway to add a second university site in central Orange County as part of Ryman Arts' long-range plan to grow by creating a constellation of additional studios, serving even more talented artists from a broader geographic region. "Approximately 10 percent of our current participants come from Orange County," Brigham says, "so adding a second campus will serve more teens there and also free up space to enable more Los Angeles area students to participate in our program at Otis."

About Ryman Arts

Ryman Arts, a leading art education program in Southern California, is a national model for transforming the lives and futures of young artists. Meeting a vital need to foster the artistic and personal growth of talented high school students, the program provides rigorous sequential instruction in foundational drawing and painting skills, free of charge. Ryman Arts students also build self-discipline and confidence, and receive college/career guidance, helping position them for future success.

Since its inception in 1990, Ryman Arts has grown from a single class for 12 students, to 20 classes year round for 300+ talented high school students, most from low-income neighborhoods. To date, the program has engaged more than 4,000 Southern California teens in its core 18-month program, and provides outreach activities to thousands more students from inner-city schools, ensuring access for students with the greatest need. The program began in honor of legendary Disney artist and mentor Herbert D. Ryman. For more information visit www.ryman.org or call 213-629-2787.

About Otis College of Art and Design
Founded in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design prepares diverse students of art and design to enrich our world through their creativity, their skill, and their vision. The College offers an interdisciplinary education for over 1,200 full-time students, awarding BFA degrees in advertising design, architecture/landscape/interiors, digital media, fashion design, illustration, product design, painting, photography, sculpture/new genres, and toy design; and MFA degrees in fine arts, graphic design, public practice, and writing. Continuing Education offers certificate programs as well as personal and professional development courses. For more information visit www.otis.edu or call 310-665-6800.

Photos available upon request

SOURCE Ryman Arts