SARASOTA, FLA.- Creativity, technology and entrepreneurship intersect in Ringling College of Art and Design’s new Creative Technologies bachelor’s degree program, available fall 2026 and welcoming first-year and transfer students. The curriculum extends beyond conceptualization with a “make it, ship it” model that will equip students with practical experience and empower them to bring their ideas to market. Students will research, prototype and launch original apps, games, videos, multimedia experiences, place-based installations and physical media and ship them to real audiences. Required collaboration across programs will position students to graduate with a strong artistic foundation, valuable project management skills and a professional portfolio of launched work. The new Creative Technologies program also marks the debut of Ringling’s first creative coding courses that are accessible to students of all skill levels, even those without prior coding experience.



“There is no one set pathway to success as a creator. Emerging technologies like AI are having a huge impact on the art and design world,” said Creative Technologies Program Head Rick Dakan. “To succeed, students need to graduate with both hands-on experience and a curious and adaptive mindset that will let them flourish in the ever-changing media landscape. We want students to develop their unique passion and creative vision, and we want them to express that vision with any technology and on any platform they choose.”

With entrepreneurship at the core of the program, the customizable curriculum invites students to develop expertise that aligns with their creative interests by selecting courses from across departments, including graphic design, fine arts, illustration, photography, film and virtual reality. The program’s flexibility extends to students who have completed two years of related coursework at other institutions, including community colleges, allowing qualified transfer students to potentially earn a bachelor’s degree in less than four years.

“Our graduates will have developed the creative vision and entrepreneurial fundamentals to start their own businesses or work at cutting-edge companies making games, apps, media and immersive experiences. They will cultivate the taste, expertise and professional skills needed to be amazing founders and collaborators, building connections between art and technology,” said Dakan.



The Creative Technologies program is strategically designed for minimal institutional impact, leveraging Ringling College’s existing faculty, facilities and labs to bridge artistic vision with technical execution. Six new courses, to be paired with offerings from current programs, provide a focus on innovation, technology and entrepreneurship. Innovation and Technology Fundamentals introduces students to creative coding, software development and entrepreneurship through hands-on projects. Creative Technology Studio is a two-semester course that guides students through researching, testing, developing and launching real products with an emphasis on public release, gathering user feedback and responding to the market. Through INDEX (Industry Experience), an experiential education initiative developed in partnership with The Patterson Foundation, students enrolled in a required lab course will gain professional experience by collaborating on a single project with external clients. Students can continue those relationships with industry professionals through Ringling’s Center for the Creative Economy that provides access to entrepreneurial resources, mentorship and career development. The capstone courses will require students to produce an original creative technology project.



“We are an institution that continues to prioritize our students and their future success. Ringling College has had many firsts, including our world-renowned 3D Computer Animation program in the 90s and then a Business of Art and Design program which to this day, is one of our most popular minors,” said Dr. Larry R. Thompson, president of Ringling College. “We spearheaded AI integration and ethical use within our programs, so launching this new Creative Technologies major was a natural progression. These students will be able to capitalize on our existing resources and facilities here at Ringling College, all while making and shipping real products. It really provides so many new opportunities and will give them a multifaceted education, skillset and portfolio of work.”



Applications for Ringling’s Creative Technologies program are now open. Ringling also plans to offer a Creative Technologies certificate, a three-course program open to students in all majors in search of lessons in creative coding and practical product release experience. For more information, visit ringling.edu.