The sagging economy is not slowing down the Art Institute of Raleigh/Durham.

On Tuesday, community leaders, students and academic leaders got together to celebrate AI's grand opening.

At the Art Institute, "students have the opportunity to go to school with people [who] share the same creative passion as they do," local AI president Mike Deprisco said.

Deprisco says that AI offers associate and bachelors degrees. And despite recent economic woes, he's confident the degree programs at AI will provide opportunities in the future.

"The opportunities for future graduates to work in the industries in which we teach looks very strong," he said. "The American Tobacco Campus is a fantastic environment to teach education in the areas that we offer."

Cynthia Glenn is a culinary student at the new campus. Glenn said she tried traditional classes to learn cooking, but she's excited to learn with a 'hands-on' approach.

"You get to actually see what goes on in your field," Glenn said.

Instead of a usual ribbon cutting, speakers and students tossed paint at a blank canvas as a sign of the Art Institute's untraditional approach.

The Triangle campus features art design, culinary and fashion programs.

According to the Art Institute's Web site, the year-round average class size is 22 or fewer students, and will not exceed 35 students in lab sessions or 40 students in lecture sessions. The Web site says AI is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges, which is located in Washington, D.C.

Community leaders say the Institute's home at the American Tobacco Campus is a perfect fit in a developing local economy.

Related Link: Art Institute of Raleigh/Durham