Illinois Institute of Art plans new campus to meet demands

on Wednesday,January 12,2011 21:01

Illinois residents with a passion for art will have to look no further than their own backyard for a degree.

Recently, the Illinois Institute of Art announced that it will open a new campus in Tinley Park to accommodate its growing number of students, according to TribLocal. Currently, the school has approximately 4,400 students enrolled at its Chicago and Schaumburg locations. Tinley Park campus director Donna Gray told the news source that the new location will offer its most popular degree programs to meet the demands of new students.

"Just like any business, they've identified a demand and they're trying to meet that demand," economic developer Ivan Baker told the news source. "That also demonstrates that it’s not necessarily a situation of for-profit. It's just that there is a demand for additional educational opportunities beyond high school."

Gray adds that the school has seen an increase in enrollment as the economy struggles to recover. More adults are attempting to earn a postsecondary degree after losing their jobs.

Employment of artists is projected to increase by 12 percent over the next seven years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.