The Art Institute of Tampa, a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design, has received approval from The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design, media arts & animation, multimedia & Web design, interior design or game art & design, as well as the Associate of Arts in graphic design or multimedia & Web design. The new institution will hold classes for the first time in January 2004. The school will be located at 4401 North Himes Avenue in Tampa, Florida. The Board of Trustees has elected Glenn K. Johannesen president of the new Tampa school. He previously served as president of The Art Institutes International Minnesota and as an officer of The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.

"We look forward to providing academic programs in the creative arts to students from the Tampa Bay area and beyond, and to serving the growing needs of employers here and elsewhere," said Johannesen.

The Art Institute of Tampa has temporary administrative offices at 4511 North Himes Avenue. With 29 schools located throughout North America, The Art Institutes provide an educational source for design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals with more than 140,000 alumni. For more information visit www.artinstitutes.edu.