Delaware College of Art and Design to close

The Delaware College of Art and Design is closing its doors after 27 years in downtown Wilmington.

President Jean Dahlgren announced the closing in a letter.

“Our entire team is very proud of our 27-year history of educating and training the next generation of designers and artists, and we are working together through this challenging but necessary transition to uphold our legacy and to do what is best for our students,” she wrote.

Dahlgren cited declining enrollment, rising costs and problems with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

“Our declining enrollment numbers over the last several years and for the upcoming school year have prevented us from adequately supporting our educational purposes and programs. The Board of Trustees has worked diligently to find other funding solutions, but none allow us to overcome the longer-term problem of too few students, Dahlgren wrote.

The college president said the college will help rising second-year students and accepted students transfer to partner schools, including the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design and Moore College of Art & Design, to finish their education.