The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale (AiFL) is a private, coeducational applied-arts college located in southeast urban Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Founded in 1968 by the late Mark K. Wheeler, it is the second Art Institute of a current 42 to be established in North America. The campus is composed of 16 art departments, two applied-art schools, The International Culinary School, the Chef's Palette restaurant and one dormitory complex. Nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, the college is licensed to award Bachelor of Science and Associate of Science degrees, and diplomas. Courses are taught by industry professionals.
History
Beginning
The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale was realized by Mark K. Wheeler and officially opened for admission in September of 1968 in eastern Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. It would be the second Art Institute establishment following the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, founded in 1921; initially only offering diplomas in Commercial Art, Interior Design, and Fashion Illustration and remaining unaccredited. This status would span a duration of 18 months until in April 1971 when the college would be granted accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Trade and Technical Schools of the Career College Association. Two years later, in November of 1973, the school was be purchased from Wheeler by the Education Management Corporation.
Growth
In February of 1975, two years after its purchase by the EDMC, the school became licensed by the State Board of Independent Postsecondary Vocational, Technical, Trade, and Business Schools. It wouldn't be for another four years in 1979, however, that the State of Florida officially recognized the school and gave it authorization to award Associate of Science degrees. For the next seven years, the college did not see any significant changes, until in May of 1986 when the decision was made to relocate the school from Las Olas Boulevard to 1799 SE 17th Street. The following year, the State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities granted the school authorization to award Bachelor degrees and in 1989, the college broadened its facilities at 1650 SE 17 Street; establishing the modern campus it has today.
Campus
The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale campus is made up of three schools, a restaurant and one housing establishment. The main building at 1799 SE 17th St., located at the northeast corner of the Eisenhower Blvd. and SE 17th St. intersection, is primarily an office for the faculty and staff with a majority of courses being taught at the southwest corner of 1650 SE 17th Street; commonly referred to as Harbor Walk. The International Culinary School and Chef's Palette restaurant are situated there as well.
Student activities
Activities
The college has a variety of art groups for students to participate in or become members of in; most of which respectively involve students and their particular field of study.
Chef’s Palette
The Chef's Palette Café & Grill, winner of the 2005 American Culinary Federation Achievement of Excellence Award, is the public campus restaurant, operated by the students and faculty of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. It is located at 1650 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale; the southwest corner of the Eisenhower Blvd. and SE 17th St. intersection. Guests awaiting their meals can watch their dishes be prepared, and ultimately served, by the staff in the kitchens surrounding the dining area.
Times of operation:
- Lunch Tuesday - Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Dinner Thursday & Friday, 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Reservations are preferred.
Awards
- 2005, The Chef's Palette Café & Grill receives the American Culinary Federation's Achievement of Excellence Award.
- 2004, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale is named College of the Year by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges.
- 2001, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale is awarded the Distinguished Performance Award of Career College of the Year by the National Alliance of Business.
Accreditation and Licensing
Institutional Accreditation
The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), recognized by the United States Department of Education, to award Bachelor of Science and Associate of Science degrees, as well as diplomas. All programs at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale are licensed by means of accreditation through the Commission for Independent Education by the State of Florida Department of Education. The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale is approved for the training of veterans and eligible veterans’ dependents and is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.
Programmatic Accreditation
- The Bachelor of Science program in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, formerly known as FIDER.
- The Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts is accredited by The American Culinary Federation Foundation (ACF)
Degrees and Programs
Bachelor of Science
Prepare for a career in culinary management in our Bachelor’s degree program. With proper scheduling, you can stay sharp in the kitchen by cooking throughout the entire program. And by studying year-round, it’s possible to complete your Bachelor’s degree in as little as three years.
Associate of Science
In an Associate’s degree program, you can develop the key teamwork, communications, and management skills you need to be an effective culinary professional.
Diploma
If you already have a college degree, or you want to focus on honing your cooking skills, a Diploma program may be for you.
The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
1799 S.E. 17 St. • Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33316
To request a free information packet at culinaryschools.net
