Scholarship Competition Offers Over $550,000 in Tuition Scholarships

For the eighth consecutive year, The Art Institute of California – Orange County offers high school seniors the chance to compete for one of nine half-tuition scholarships valued at up to $47,000 for bachelor’s degree programs.

All students are required to submit a 250-word essay, résumé, letter of recommendation and a high school transcript. Detailed entry requirements can be found online at www.ocscholarship.com.

Entries must be postmarked by Friday, April 2, 2010 and winners will be announced, Saturday, May 8 at The Art Institute of California – Orange County’s third annual fashion, music and art festival – Rock the Runway.

Misty Gross named The Art Institute of California – Orange County first place winner in The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition

On January 7, 2010 Misty Gross of Garden Grove was recently named The Art Institute of California – Orange County first place winner in The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition in the Fashion Design category. In addition to her $3,000 tuition scholarship, Gross now progresses to the national Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition. Her entry will be judged against other local winners from throughout North America for the competition's grand prize, a full tuition scholarship to an Art Institutes school, a VIP trip to New York City to attend runway shows during Fashion Week and meet staff at Seventeen Magazine.

The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition was created to encourage and reward young fashion talent. For more information on this year's Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/passionforfashion.

Alex's Lemonade Charity Fundraiser

On February 5 & 6, 2010 The Art Institute of California – Orange County hosted a special fundraiser for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The benefit took place at the school’s renowned 50 Forks Restaurant where notable Orange County chefs teamed up with student servers that hosted two evenings of incredible six-course feasts. Tickets where $50 per person with all proceeds benefitting the cause. A silent auction followed and we are proud to announce that we helped raise a over $4,500!!!

Debbie Millman pulls in huge crowds at The Art Institute of California-Orange County

On January 29, 2010 Debbie Millman, President of the Design division at Sterling Brands, New York, President of the National AIGA, author of four books, host of the radio show "Design Matters" on DesignObserver.com, the Chair of the new Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts, a contributing Editor at Print Magazine, a design blogger for Fast Company and an author on the design blog Brand New, spoke at The Art Institute of California – Orange County. The lecture was Why We Brand, Why We Buy and was an entertaining sociological, scientific and anthropological overview of why we buy and brand things. She spoke to a packed house of over 120 students and industry professionals. The AIGA AiOC Student Chapter and the AIGA OC Chapter, the professional association for design, also sponsored the event with the school.