EDMC owned the college from 1982 until 2017, when, facing significant financial problems and declining enrollment, the company sold the Art Institute of Seattle, along with 30 other Art Institute schools, to Dream Center Education, a Los Angeles–based Pentecostal organization, before shuttering.

[1][2][3] The Dream Center Foundation acquired the school in 2018 and laid off ten of its thirteen full-time teachers in October 2018.

[5] The school closed permanently on March 8, 2019, with 650 students unable to finish the winter quarter.

[16] In 2006, the school was granted accreditation at a baccalaureate level to offer programs leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

In 2009, Barbara Singer became the President of the Art Institute of Seattle followed by Elden Monday in 2010.