PITTSBURGH - Without question the most valuable part of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh is the people who make up this creative, nurturing community. It is a place where creative minds come to learn new ways to apply personal talent, energy and skill in a new world of opportunity.

More than 2,500 students come to the institute from many states and many nations, rural towns and big cities.

Students converge at The Art Institute with goals just as diverse as the places they've come from but with one common idea - to begin a path toward a creative career.

Now creative people interested in pursuing a creative career can take courses offered at the Regional Learning Alliance in Cranberry Township. Contact The Art Institute to learn more about combining courses in Cranberry with online courses to build a schedule for your needs.

At The Art Institute, we understand that the creative process doesn't just happen. It takes time. It takes imagination. It takes practice.

Education that is grounded in the realities of the professional path you choose is the key to your beginning. And a world-class faculty can help you get there.

The Art Institute faculty is drawn from the industry and brings valuable professional experience into the classroom. Many still work in the fields they teach or operate professional studios.

Many are seasoned educators who have been with The Art Institute for more than 20 years. They're all here to help you graduate and become part of the successful alumni network.

Still, The Art Institute's historic impact on American culture is a story best told through the successes of more than 40,000 alumni.

Graduates influence our daily lives as photojournalists for metropolitan newspapers and interior designers for major firms and hotels and hospitals. They entertain us as animators on feature films, television shows and video games.

Industrial design graduates create innovative new products. Video and digital media specialists bring us the news and tell the stories we watch everyday. The advertising and graphic design industry is influenced by Art Institute graduates who create visual communications for agencies and corporations.

The hallmark of The Art Institute has always been industry-relevant curriculum, precipitating monumental investments in classroom technology.

The school has 10 floors of networked computer labs and specialty facilities such as editing suites, digital photography labs, a television production studio, an industrial design machine shop and fully equipped culinary kitchens.

A staff of financial planners, job advisers, and counselors provides students with individualized service. Counseling is available when academic or personal problems create roadblocks to success.

Students are encouraged to join school organizations or student professional chapters. They also can get experience while in school by getting freelance opportunities and by participating in community service projects supported or co-sponsored by The Art Institute.

A team of career advisers works with graduating students to designed a plan to help each student define and meet career goals.

For information, call 800-275-2470 to find out about getting started at the Regional Learning Alliance.