The Art Institute Establishes Foundation Studies Department and Names New Academic Director

Santa Ana, CA, August 08, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The Art Institute of California – Orange County has established Foundation Studies as a department within Academic Affairs and named former Foundation Studies Lead Faculty Alan Burner as the academic director.

“The Foundation Studies department is essentially the bridge between high school and an education at The Art Institute,” said Alan Burner, Foundation Studies Academic Department Director. “The program fosters student success by acclimating new students to The Art Institute way of education.”

Courses in the Foundation Studies program lay the groundwork for students to learn more advanced skills later in their course of study. Faculty members in this department are tasked with setting the example of what The Art Institute expects from its students as well as what the industry will expect once the students graduate.

“As one of the first instructors on staff, Alan has been instrumental to the successful development of the Foundation Studies program,” said Dean of Academic Affairs, Melinda Lester. “Since 2005, he has worked with the faculty and staff to improve and align the first year courses for incoming students and I am confident that the program will continue to advance under his leadership.”

Burner has over 30 years of experience as an instructor in the U.S. and abroad. Locally, he has taught at Golden West College, Cypress College, Biola University and Azusa Pacific University. A professional artist, Burner’s work has been exhibited at a number of galleries in Los Angles, New York and Japan.

He received his bachelor of arts and master’s of fine arts degree from the University of California, irvine and has an additional background in Japanese Language and Literature. Since earning his degree, Burner has worked in various capacities as an artist, lecturer, educator and author. His art includes photography, painting, bronze sculpture, ceramics and video performances that have been televised on PBS.

At The Art Institute, Burner has taught Art History, Typography, Design History, Fundamentals of Design, Color Theory and drawing and painting courses. His textbook “Color Choreography” is used in all Color Theory classes and has been adopted at other Art Institute locations as well as a number of colleges and universities around the country. Additionally, he frequently conducts color research in Europe and the orient during the year, including work with the painting elephants at the National Elephant Institute in Thailand.

Since joining The Art Institute in 2000, Burner has been actively working to promote student success by assisting with new student orientation and leading the study abroad program, the student mentoring program, the student success committee and the admissions committee.

Media Contacts:
Tricia Cook, 714.338.1303 or tacook@aii.edu
Veronica Orozco, 714.830.0221 or vorozco@aii.edu

The Art Institute of California – Orange County
The Art Institute of California – Orange County is a design, media, fashion and culinary arts school providing bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs in Advertising, Baking & Pastry, Culinary Arts, Culinary Management, Digital Photography, Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing & Management, Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Media Arts & Animation, Visual Effects & Motion Graphics, Visual & Game Programming and Web Design & Interactive Media. Located in the heart of Orange County’s South Coast Metro region, The Art Institute is ideally situated in close proximity to Orange County’s thriving business community, cultural attractions, shopping, entertainment and its famous beaches. The school is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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