Ex’pression College for Digital Arts Founding

Ex’pression College for Digital Arts was founded by Gary Platt, a sound recording engineer and educator, and Eckart Wintzen, a Dutch venture capitalist and media arts enthusiast. A 65,000 square foot building was purchased in Emeryville, California to house a new school to be called “Ex’pression Center for New Media.”

Ex’pression hired preeminent media architect John Storyk , to help design the unique facility which houses the school.  Building began in November of 1998.

State Approvel - Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education

On September 9, 1998, Ex’pression received temporary approval from the BBPVE to operate, and to offer course instruction in a digital visual media and sound comprehensive program.  The BPPVE granted Ex’pression temporary approvals to operate and offer diploma, associates and bachelor degree programs in September of 1998. In January 2001, Ex’pression was granted approval to operate and renewed the approval to operate in October 2005.

On January 11, 1999, 48 students began classes in Sound Arts and Digital Visual Media.

Student Body Growth and Name Change

As Ex’pression’s reputation in the community grew over the next several years, so did enrollment. In 2004, the school included more than 500 students.  The same year, its name was changed from Ex’pression Center for New Media to Ex’pression College for Digital Arts.  The change reflects a stronger emphasis on Bachelor degree level learning and more accurately describes the core focus of the College’s curriculum in digital arts.  However, the commitment to high quality, hands-on instruction in a professional-grade environment did not change.

Accreditation: ACCSCT

In April of 2005, the school became an accredited college and is now accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).

Federal Eligibility: DOE

In August of 2005, Ex’pression was formally recognized by the U. S. Department of Education and approved to participate in the Title IV Federal Student Aid programs such as Stafford Loan, Pell Grant, and PLUS Loan.

Additional Degrees

In November of 2006, Ex’pression was approved by the State of California’s Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education to offer its fourth BAS degree in Game Art and Design, and receive approval to offer the Game Art and Design BAS program from the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology in December of 2006.

Facilities Expansion

In early 2007, Ex’pression expanded its facilities adding an additional 13,000 square feet, creating several new classrooms.