Through support from The Patterson Foundation, Ringling College of Art and Design is strengthening the student experience by connecting them with organizations that can benefit from creative problem solving and strategies. Experiential learning elevates students beyond classroom theory to dynamic participation in real-world work. These experiences are encouraging brighter futures for students, organizations, and our community.

The Collaboratory at Ringling College of Art and Design began operations in the summer of 2013. A few pilot projects were undertaken in the first year — while the organization was being established, staff and initial faculty supporters recruited, and clients informed about what was possible. Since then, the Collaboratory began offering services to clients and bringing students into the work, gradually developing the complex details of contract requirements for clients, how students would be compensated, what work students could display in their portfolios, etc.

In fall 2015, Ringling College President Larry Thompson made the Collaboratory Commitment to all incoming students: Every student of Ringling College will have the opportunity to participate in real-world, real-time client work through the Collaboratory during their four years in college.

From the outset, the vision was that the Collaboratory would become an integral part of the Ringling College student experience. Since 2015, with the delivery of the Collaboratory Commitment, all Ringling College students have an opportunity to participate before they graduate. With the incorporation of Collaboratory elective classes in the Business of Art and Design program and the inclusion of Collaboratory projects into several other courses across departments at Ringling College, the process of integration is well underway.

The college further demonstrated its commitment to making the Collaboratory offerings a college-wide learning experience embedded throughout the curriculum by weaving the Collaboratory experience into its Quality Enhancement Plan submitted to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for accreditation evaluation. In addition, the Collaboratory, recognizing that its approach to experiential learning is challenging to some faculty more accustomed to the role of teacher/lecturer than guide/partner, has initiated training for interested faculty in how to conduct experiential learning.

 

Please view the video at the bottom of this page. You can also find client feedback in news articles listed on the Ringling College of Art and Design's Collaboratory webpage.

Overall, the students have been extremely positive about their Collaboratory experiences and eager to sign on for more. Some of the most frequent comments point to the significance of delving into the details of a real-world problem and having to understand the clients as well as the situation; discovering the benefits of working with students from different majors on the same projects, where many talents must be brought together; and experiencing the satisfaction of seeing their work come to life in the real world.

For more information about the Collaboratory at Ringling College, contact Roxanne Joffe, The Patterson Foundation’s lead strategic communications consultant at MagnifyGood: rjoffe@magnifygood.com.