Savannah College of Art and Design

Summary

The Savannah College of Art and Design was founded in 1978 by Richard G. Rowan, Paula Wallace, May L. Poetter and Paul E. Poetter to provide college degree programs not previously available in southeast Georgia and to create a specialized professional art college to attract students from throughout the United States and abroad.

History

The Savannah College of Art and Design was founded in 1978 by Richard G. Rowan, Paula Wallace, May L. Poetter and Paul E. Poetter to provide college degree programs not previously available in southeast Georgia and to create a specialized professional art college to attract students from throughout the United States and abroad. The curriculum was established with dual goals of excellent arts education and effective career preparation for students. Today, with multiple locations and online distance education offerings, SCAD continues to assiduously adhere to these goals.

SCAD was legally incorporated in the state of Georgia Sept. 29, 1978. A board of trustees was established, and the search was begun for a competent faculty and an appropriate facility. In the spring of 1979, SCAD purchased and renovated the Savannah Volunteer Guard Armory to serve as the first classroom and administration building. The historic significance of the 1892 structure was recognized by its nomination for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Named Poetter Hall in honor of two of the founders, the building remains in active use by SCAD today.

SCAD is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and masters degrees. The university confers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Architecture, Master of Arts, and Master of Fine Arts. The professional M.Arch. degree is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. SCAD is licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. The SCAD interior design Bachelor of Fine Arts degree offered at SCAD Atlanta and SCAD Savannah is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, 206 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Class sizes at SCAD are small, allowing each student the opportunity to receive individual attention. Faculty members have distinguished backgrounds in their fields. The international faculty and student body come from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. An English as a Second Language program and dedicated international student services staff are available to assist international students with the adjustment to university life in the United States.

SCAD is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The university confers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Architecture, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Fine Arts and Master of Urban Design degrees, as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates. The professional M.Arch. degree is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. The Master of Arts in Teaching degrees offered by SCAD are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. SCAD is licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. The SCAD interior design Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.

SCAD operates museums, galleries, and exhibition spaces across its campuses, including the SCAD Museum of Art, located on the site of the former Central of Georgia Railway headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, and SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film in Atlanta, Georgia. Rafael Gomes is the director of fashion exhibitions and has curated several shows including ‘Robert Fairer Backstage Pass: Dior, Galliano, Jacobs, and McQueen.’

Initially a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics from 1987 to 1992, SCAD then transitioned to Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The SCAD Bees sent 20 teams to NCAA postseason competition between 1996 and 2003, and every SCAD athletics team logged a winning record during the 2001-02 season. Before the start of the 2003-04 season, SCAD renewed its membership with the NAIA and now competes in the Sun Conference (formerly the Florida Sun Conference). In Fall 2010, SCAD Atlanta began competing at the intercollegiate level in NAIA men’s and women’s cross country, golf and tennis. In recent years, SCAD athletic teams have been ranked among the nation’s top 25 teams. SCAD athletics has established an outstanding legacy by recruiting talented student-athletes and fielding teams in the tradition of excellence for which SCAD is best known.

Top Courses

Sneaker Design, MA, MFA

From athletic-inspired and classic designs to smart-casual, office-ready kicks, the SCAD SNKR+ program prepares students for the full spectrum of footwear possibilities in a booming, $80-billion field. SCAD SNKR+ students hone skills in sketching, rendering, concept development, digital prototyping, and branding, guided by accomplished industry insiders. With access to professional technology, students build physical and digital prototypes and become experts in every phase of launching a sneaker brand — from product design to product drop.

Sneaker design is a complex field. To thrive in this specialised industry, many students choose to pursue a double major or related minor while they are at SCAD. They can explore new perspectives, harness creative approaches, and develop a unique, well-rounded style — all while earning multiple degrees. At SCAD, students prepare to launch their own sneaker brands as entrepreneurs or step into leadership roles at elite sneaker design companies.

Fibers, BFA, MFA, MA

The SCAD fibers department is the largest of its kind in the U.S. with a comprehensive curriculum and large, inspiring facilities stocked with top-of-the-line tools and resources. Student can join the elite ranks of fibers artists who regularly win major awards. Then, follow in the footsteps of successful fibers graduates, who work in demanding and inventive roles, developing thermal insulating blankets for NASA, automotive interior surface fabrics for Chrysler, innovative athletics materials for Nike, and custom fabrics and installations for fashion houses and retailers like Anthropologie, Lilly Pulitzer and Macy’s. Former classmates Maureen Walsh and Trish Andersen (each earned a B.F.A. degree in fibers in 2005) attribute their success creating retail interiors and events for companies like Google and Bravo, to SCAD.

SCAD emphasizes collaboration between departments through opportunities like the SCADpad® micro-housing project. SCADpad combined students from 12 different fields to reimagine the spaces in which we live. The project earned global media attention and the World Architecture News Urban Design Award for its innovations. “From the beginning at SCAD, I was encouraged to dig deep and create work that means something to me. I have experienced so many wonderful and exciting moments at SCAD that have empowered me and made me a stronger person.” (Sugandha Gupta | M.F.A., fibers, 2018).

Fashion Marketing And Management, BFA

With a focus on brand building in the global fashion industry, SCAD fashion marketing and management program opens the door to diverse careers. Guided by industry mentors and faculty, students gain hands-on experience in product development, supply chain management for sustainability, fashion merchandising and retail buying, visual communication, content creation, and marketing for consumer engagement on-ground and online.

It is all directed at fostering the next generation of executives, creators, and entrepreneurs empowered to shape the future of fashion. SCAD empowers students to collaborate and provide design and business solutions for fashion brands through SCADpro, the university’s in-house design studio. Students recently partnered with Sam Edelman on a market-ready capsule collection. Other partners have included eBay, Movado, and David Yurman.

Accessory Design, BFA

Students can explore accessory design in SCAD’s innovative, future-forward programs, including the world’s first sneaker design minor. Guided by expert faculty and collaborating closely with industry partners, they will hone their creative vision, learn advanced skills including VR-assisted design, and discover how to translate brand DNA into desirable goods. Collaborations across the School of Fashion, and working relationships with factories, manufacturers, and suppliers prepare accessory design students for the professional practices of the industry. At SCAD, Erika Lynn McKelvery (B.F.A., accessory design, 2012) discovered a love for fish leather and established a unique accessory line using the fishing industry byproduct.

Jewellery Design, BFA, MFA, MA

Working with creatives in the fully equipped 13,800-square-foot studio space, students develop expertise in advanced techniques, materials, and cutting-edge 3D technology. Guided by experienced faculty, along with mentors from industry partners, they learn to conceptualise, design, make, and market jewellery collections. When they graduate from the STEM-designated degree program, they are ready to define the future of jewellery as an artist, creative director, entrepreneur, maker, and innovator.

David Yurman x SCAD — With a gift of $1 million worth of gemstones, jewelLEry visionaries David and Sybil Yurman are nurturing emerging artisans at SCAD’s leading-edge jewellery program, the largest in the U.S. Whether a jewellery collection is destined for exhibit or for retail markets, the SCAD education will prepare students for the journey. Graduate Kristen Baird (B.F.A., metals and jewellery, 2012) attributes her education at SCAD for inspiring her to launch her own jewellery brand.

Luxury And Brand Management, MA, MFA

SCAD offers the world’s first M.A. and M.F.A. degrees in luxury and brand management. Students will enter the $350 billion global luxury industry through tech, travel, hospitality, beauty and fragrance, and fashion. Through electives, internships, and thesis research, they will learn to create proposals and business solutions relevant to the international luxury market.

Through SCADpro, the university’s in-house design studio, luxury and brand management students work with powerhouse brands such as Hermès, L’Oréal, Kendra Scott, and Ernst Benz. Fashion designer Vivien So (M.A., luxury and fashion management, 2019) attributes her education at SCAD for instilling in her the business acumen to make her dream of starting an activewear line a reality.

Equestrienne Studies, BA

A practice that dates to the Byzantine era, the equestrian world is a massive economic machine supported by legions of professionals in business, marketing, medicine, and sport. At SCAD, students explore career paths from a state-of-the-art equestrian center amid a climate perfectly suited for year-round riding and stable-side education. With a comprehensive academic program complemented by a national championship equestrian team and a faculty of accomplished riders and coaches, students are prepared for careers across the equine studies spectrum.

SCAD students’ gateway to the equestrian world is the Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center, the university’s state-of-the-art, 180-acre compound located north of Savannah. Home to the champion SCAD equestrian team, students prepare for careers in business, marketing, medicine, and sport from an equestrian center that features stable barns, competition arenas, riding arena, paddocks, pastures, a staff veterinarian, and industry-standard equipment. The Shaw Pavilion also offers a covered riding arena for practice and fieldwork and is engineered with considerations for optimal equine vision and ventilation.

Job Integration Rate

Savannah College of Art and Design continues to demonstrate exceptional job integration rates for its graduates. A 2024 study revealed that 99% of recent SCAD alumni were either employed, pursuing further education, or both within 12 months of graduation. Notably, 90% of these graduates secured positions directly related to their field of study, underscoring the effectiveness of SCAD’s career-focused curriculum.  SCAD’s commitment to career readiness is evident through its comprehensive support services. The university offers personalized career advising, portfolio development workshops, and networking opportunities with industry leaders. Events like the annual SCAD Career Fair attract top employers from various sectors, providing students with direct access to potential job opportunities.  The success of SCAD graduates is further reflected in long-term employment statistics. According to data from Niche, 91% of SCAD alumni were employed two years after graduation, and 88% remained employed six years post-graduation. These figures highlight the lasting impact of a SCAD education in preparing students for sustained careers in the creative industries.

References

1. “Savannah College of Art and Design”. datausa.io.
2. “College Navigator – Savannah College of Art and Design”. National Center for Education Statistics.
3. “History”. scad.edu.
4. “A 30-year history of the Savannah College of Art and Design”. SavannahNow.com.
5. “Get That Life: How I Started My Own College”. Cosmopolitan.com.
6. “Savannah College of Art and Design Overall Rankings”. colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com.
7. “Old magistrates’ court reborn as art college”. The Standard.
8. “Richard Rowan resigns from SCAD”. Savannah Morning News.
9.  “How SCAD sells a dream”. ajc.com. The Atlanta Journal
10. “SCAD Opens Major Fashion Museum in Atlanta”. TravelandLeisure.com.
11. “SavArtScene: 40 years and counting, Savannah College of Art and Design continues to build up creative community”. SavannahNow.com.
12.  “SCAD student petitions for better mental health services”. WSAV.com.
13. “Bee Well initiative supports student wellness”. SCADDistrict.com.
14. “SCAD spring quarter goes online; events canceled”. SavannahNow.com.
15. “SCAD HONG KONG TO CLOSE PERMANENTLY”. ArtForum.com.
16. “Hammer blow for Hong Kong creative arts as SCAD closes city campus; students of fashion, art and design at a loss”. SCMP.com.
17. “Savannah College of Art & Design addressing diversity”. WJCL.com.
18. “URBAN RENEWAL: NEW LIFE FOR AN OLD CITY”. THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT.
19. “Savannah College of Art and Design”. New Georgia Encyclopedia.
20. “Savannah Squares”. visithistoricsavannah.com.
21. “SCAD Comes to Atlanta”. fight.boredom.
22. “Ivy Hall reborn as cultural center”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
23. “SCAD adds space to expand arts, digital media classes”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
24. The Savannah College of Art and Design: Restoration of an Architectural Heritage. Arcadia Publishing.