Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) welcomes you to explore artistic masterpieces, inspiring presentations, and the next generation of artists and designers.
RMCAD, located off Pierce Street, has been a part of the 40 West Arts District and Lakewood community for more than two decades (and Denver for more than six), and like many of its neighbors, the arts are central to what they do. RMCAD is home to over 2000 students across online and campus modalities, who study everything from interior design, illustration, game art, and fine arts.
The college’s distinguished faculty, who are also working artists, this program boasts and have prepared more than 4,500 alumni for careers in the arts. This includes providing many students the opportunity to work with local business clients. In RMCAD’s Design Systems class, they’ve worked with an Arvada nonprofit, Horse Protection League (HPL), as well as Bri’s Kitchen and WE Solutions.
Whether in RMCAD’s historic auditorium or its three gallery spaces, students, alumni, and guest speakers are given the stage to share their craft and express their creativity – inviting the larger Denver Metro Area and you to share the experience with them.
RMCAD’s annual events include the Frames ‘n’ Games Festival, perfect for any animated film or gaming fan. Students and alumni present their own original animated shorts, animations, and 3D renders in a film-like presentation followed by an award ceremony.
This year’s event welcomed John Musker, legendary animator and filmmaker known for directing Disney movies like Moana, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Hercules, who joined the festivities and imparted wisdom for the industry’s future directors.
The visiting artists don’t stop there. RMCAD’s Visiting Artist, Scholar, and Designer (VASD) program welcomes three to four distinguished professionals on an annual basis for free, public talks that span topics across all art disciplines.
The 2024–2025 season included: Justin Martin, creative director and art director for themed entertainment experiences, like Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay Water Park and Meow Wolf Convergence Station; Deanna Van Buren, co-founder and executive director of Designing Justice + Designing Spaces, an architecture and real estate nonprofit; Mindy Johnson, award-winning author and animation historian, known for her book Ink & Paint – The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation.
If you have an interest in fashion, RMCAD’s annual Fashion Showcase is a spectacular, can’t-miss event. This year, 20 fashion design students had 70 looks hit the runway at The Studio Loft at Ellie Caulkins Opera House. This event is a great representation of the college’s dedication to encouraging student participation beyond the classroom, as photography students were also involved in documenting the live event.
Guests are also invited to join a live audience membership at friendly student competitions, like RMCAD’s Design Slam. This year’s event included a fun team challenge where students had three hours to build a functional chair using only cardboard and one roll of tape that could hold at least 200 lbs.
There is truly an event for every guest and interest – from gallery openings, to art markets where you can support student small businesses, and community nights where creatives come together to collaborate. RMCAD opens its doors to the public in celebration of the arts and to foster the next generation of artists and designers.
Are you ready to attend RMCAD’s next event?
Register for upcoming events at rmcad.edu/events and stay up to date with the latest events by signing up for the Events Newsletter.
