Animation, digital filmmaking core curriculum for Kansas school

Education officials say a soon-to-open Wichita school focused on animation and digital filmmaking may be a new model for higher education in Kansas.

The Wichita Eagle reports that MindFire Academy will begin offering classes in January in an old mall. Bethany College in Lindsborg will operate as the accrediting institution, offering undergraduate certificates in several media arts specialties.

Bethany College president Ed Leonard says the hope is that MindFire students will complete their four-year college degree at Bethany. He envisions a consortium flexible enough to allow students to easily transfer credits.

Wichita State University and Butler Community College have expressed interest in the idea.

One of the two Wichita entrepreneurs starting the school is Jason Opat. Staff at his company, Integrated Media Group, also will teach at the academy.