Paier College

Paier College (formerly Paier College of Art) is a private for-profit art college in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Previously located in Hamden, Connecticut, Paier is the only independent art college in Connecticut.

History
In 1946, Paier was established by Edward T. and Adele K. Paier as the Paier School of Applied Arts in West Haven, Connecticut. Paier absorbed students from the Whitney School of Art when it closed, leading to the new title Paier School of Art. Paier moved to New Haven in 1954 and then finally to 6 Prospect Court in Hamden in 1960 and in 1963 expanded to its present location. In 1982, Paier was accredited as a 4-year degree-granting college. In 2019, the Paier College of Art named Joseph Bierbaum as its new president to succeed former president Jonathan Paier. In March 2021, Paier announced a name change from Paier College of Art to Paier College and plans to move its campus to Bridgeport, Connecticut, into facilities formerly used by the University of Bridgeport, before the start of the fall 2021 semester.

Academics
Paier College of Art focuses on training students for technical and professional careers as artists. Paier offers five Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree programs as well as four certificates and one Associate degree. The college also offers part-time and evening classes, continuing education, and electives in general education and liberal arts.

Accreditation
Paier College of Art is licensed by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). It was also previously a member of the International Council of Design Schools. In June 2024, Paier received a continued warning from AACSC related to a range of issues. Connecticut news sources have reported that faculty and staff had their employment terminated as of April 30, 2024 as the school underwent the process of changing ownership. Paier College has since stated that it intends to renew contracts as needed for the Fall 2024 Semester.

Galleries and events
Paier has a student gallery and a faculty gallery. The campus hosts annual Winter and Spring Art Shows, sales as well as a Fall Paier Picnic.

Notable alumni
Paier College of Art has graduated successful artists including:


 * Romas Kukalis, Canadian-American artist
 * Vance A. Larson, painter
 * Don Maitz, science fiction/fantasy artist
 * Tim O’Brien, who has drawn covers for Time Magazine, GQ and Rolling Stone
 * Howard Porter of DC Comics and Marvel Comics
 * Joseph Reboli, painter
 * Ruth Sanderson, book cover illustrator
 * Walter Wick, co-creator of the I Spy series
 * George Wildman, cartoonist