Ringling College launches new certificates in creative entrepreneurship, lighting, and virtual production
New programs in entrepreneurship, lighting, and virtual production begin this fall at Florida-based arts college.
Ringling College of Art and Design will launch three undergraduate certificate programs on August 18, offering students technical and business skills aimed at preparing them for creative careers. The new offerings will run alongside the college’s existing degree programs.
Ringling College is a private, not-for-profit institution in Sarasota, Florida, offering bachelor’s degrees in fine arts and arts disciplines. The college uses a studio teaching model and provides industry-specific training in design, media, and the arts.
The Creative Entrepreneurship Certificate includes three courses focused on business strategy, branding, and sustainable practice for students in art and design fields. According to Ringling, the program is designed to help learners build freelance practices, launch startups, or work within existing companies.
The Professional Lighting Certificate focuses on technical lighting skills used in photography and cinematography. Students will learn how to use contrast, shadow, and studio equipment while following digital workflows. The program concludes with a portfolio showing development from foundational to advanced lighting techniques.
The Virtual Production Certificate offers training in film and game engine integration, preparing students to use tools like LED wall technology and real-time rendering software. The curriculum covers how digital and physical elements intersect in modern film and media production.
Each certificate is structured to deliver hands-on experience, though the announcement does not specify course durations, eligibility requirements, or whether the certificates are open to non-degree students. Prospective applicants may need to clarify admissions pathways, scheduling options, and portfolio expectations.
The lighting program includes a health and safety component for studio environments, and the virtual production track introduces students to emerging production workflows increasingly used in film, television, and interactive media.
The college positions the new certificates as responses to shifts in entertainment, media, and design, aiming to equip students with relevant technical and entrepreneurial skills. According to the announcement, “These certificates open exciting pathways for students to build meaningful careers at the forefront of creativity and technology.”
