Savannah College of Art and Design#Savannah Film Festival

Richard G. Rowan, Paula S. Wallace, May L. Poetter and Paul E. Poetter legally incorporated the Savannah College of Art and Design September 29, 1978.{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.scad.edu/about/scad-glance/history|website=scad.edu|access-date=13 November 2014}} In September 1979, the university first began offering classes with four staff members, seven faculty members, and 71 students.{{cite web |url=https://www.savannahnow.com/article/20090221/NEWS/302219882 |title=A 30-year history of the Savannah College of Art and Design |last=Muller |first=Julia C. |date=February 21, 2009 |website=SavannahNow.com |publisher=Savannah Morning News |access-date=September 17, 2020}} Initially, the school offered eight majors: ceramics, graphic design, historic preservation, textile design, interior design, painting, photography, and printmaking.{{cite web |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/career/a56909/paula-wallace-scad-get-that-life/#:~:text=The%20eight%20initial%20majors%20were,%2C%20and%20weaving%2Ftextile%20design. |title=Get That Life: How I Started My Own College |last=Rudulph |first=Heather Wood |date=April 18, 2016 |website=Cosmopolitan.com |publisher=Cosmopolitan |access-date=September 17, 2020}} In May 1981, the first graduate received a degree. The following year, the first graduating class received degrees. In 1982, the enrollment grew to more than 500 students, then to 1,000 in 1986, and 2,000 in 1989. In 2014, the university enrolled more than 11,000 students.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a rash of faculty suicides prompted a nervous reaction from school administrators. The unrest led a competing art school to open downtown, igniting an "all-out war."{{cite magazine|url=http://linguafranca.mirror.theinfo.org/9607/Savannah.html |magazine=Lingua Franca |date=July–August 1996 |volume=6 |issue=5 |title=Sinister Designs | author=St. John, Warren | author-link=Warren St. John | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005011520/http://linguafranca.mirror.theinfo.org/9607/Savannah.html | archive-date=October 5, 2007 }}

Student unrest grew in the early 1990s regarding student representation within the school, culminating in 1992 with the detonation of an explosive device at the administration building, and two more later that year, at the Savannah Civic Center.{{cite web|last1=Muller|first1=Julia|title=A 30-year history of the Savannah College of Art and Design|url=http://savannahnow.com/julia-c-muller/2009-02-21/30-year-history-savannah-college-art-and-design#|website=Savannahnow.com|access-date=17 December 2015}}

SCAD opened a study abroad location in Lacoste, France in 2002 that provides programming for the various academic departments offered by the university's degree-granting locations. It launched an online learning program in 2003 that U.S. News & World Report ranks as among the best for bachelor's programs in the nation.{{cite web|title=Savannah College of Art and Design Overall Rankings|url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/savannah-college-of-art-and-design-140951/overall-rankings|website=colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com|access-date=13 November 2014}} In 2005 the university opened a location in Midtown Atlanta that merged with the Atlanta College of Art in 2006. In September 2010, SCAD opened a Hong Kong location in the Sham Shui Po district.{{cite web|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=4&art_id=104119&sid=30007676&con_type=1&d_str=20101022&fc=10|title=Old magistrates' court reborn as art college|year=2010|work=The Standard|access-date=2010-11-15}}

File:Ivy Hall.jpg houses classrooms for SCAD's Atlanta campus]]

Richard Rowan (who was married to Paula Wallace at the time) served as president of the college from its inception in 1978 until April 2000, when SCAD's board of trustees promoted him to chancellor. As chancellor, Rowan spent most of his time traveling and recruiting international students and staff. In 2001, he resigned the job and left the college.{{cite web|url=http://old.savannahnow.com/stories/011701/LOCrowanresigns.shtml|title=Richard Rowan resigns from SCAD|year=2001|work=Savannah Morning News|access-date=2007-12-12}}

Paula S. Wallace is the current president. Wallace, formerly Paula S. Rowan, served as SCAD's provost and dean of academics before becoming president. As president, Wallace directs the internal management of the institution. Wallace has led the collaboration for several annual events, such as the Sidewalk Arts Festival, Savannah Film Festival, a Fashion Show, SCAD Style, deFine Art Festival, Art Educators' Forum and Rising Star. Questions have been raised about the unusual pay packages granted to Wallace and her family.{{cite web |last1=Judd |first1=Alan |title=How SCAD sells a dream |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/special-reports/how-scad-sells-dream/VVfRSVilHliyrTe9LAd5hN/ |website=ajc.com |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Cox Media Group |access-date=7 July 2019|date= 9 December 2017}} Paula Wallace received $9.6 million in compensation in 2014, and 13 members of her family have received $60 million over the past 20 years.

The university's second museum, SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film, opened in 2015, at SCAD Atlanta.{{cite web |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/scad-fash-museum-atlanta-opens |title=SCAD Opens Major Fashion Museum in Atlanta |last=Austin |first=Tom |date=October 16, 2015 |website=TravelandLeisure.com |publisher=Travel and Leisure |access-date=September 17, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.savannahnow.com/entertainmentlife/20181117/savartscene-40-years-and-counting-savannah-college-of-art-and-design-continues-to-build-up-creative-community |title=SavArtScene: 40 years and counting, Savannah College of Art and Design continues to build up creative community |last=Kristopher |first=Monroe |date=February 17, 2018 |website=SavannahNow.com |publisher=Savannah Morning News |access-date=September 18, 2020}}

In 2018, a student started a petition calling for better mental health services for students after two suicides occurred after the beginning of the 2018 academic year.{{cite web |url=https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/scad-student-petitions-for-better-mental-health-services/1550206687 |title=SCAD student petitions for better mental health services |last=Staunton |first=Martin |date=October 25, 2018 |website=WSAV.com |publisher=WSAV}} In 2019, SCAD increased the number of professional counseling staff and created Bee Well, which provides virtual and physical counseling, wellness workshops, and a 24/7 toll-free emotional support hotline.{{cite web |url=https://scaddistrict.com/2019/09/21/bee-well-initiative-supports-student-wellness/ |title=Bee Well initiative supports student wellness |date=September 21, 2019 |website=SCADDistrict.com |publisher=SCAD District |access-date=October 14, 2020}}

In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SCAD transitioned to entirely virtual learning for all students, while allowing international students and others to remain in residence halls following social distancing protocols.{{cite web |url=https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20200312/scad-spring-quarter-goes-online-events-canceled |title=SCAD spring quarter goes online; events canceled |date=March 12, 2020 |website=SavannahNow.com |publisher=Savannah Morning News |access-date=September 17, 2020}}

In June 2020, SCAD discontinued studies at its Hong Kong location, citing concerns about student safety and academic quality following the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests and the COVID-19 pandemic. The North Kowloon Magistracy will be returned to the city.{{cite web |url=https://www.artforum.com/news/scad-hong-kong-to-close-permanently-82474 |title=SCAD HONG KONG TO CLOSE PERMANENTLY |date=March 17, 2020 |website=ArtForum.com |publisher=Art Forum |access-date=September 17, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3075092/hammer-blow-hong-kong-creative-arts-scad-closes-city |title=Hammer blow for Hong Kong creative arts as SCAD closes city campus; students of fashion, art and design at a loss |last=Harilela |first=Divia |date=March 13, 2020 |website=SCMP.com |publisher=South China Morning Post |access-date=September 17, 2020}}

In June 2020, in the midst of Black Lives Matter protests around the U.S., SCAD created an office of inclusion and announced related initiatives to address systemic racism, including the addition of 15 endowed scholarships for Black students.{{cite web |url=https://www.wjcl.com/article/savannah-college-of-art-and-design-addressing-diversity/32844816# |title=Savannah College of Art & Design addressing diversity |last=Sulkowski |first=Frank |date=June 11, 2020 |website=WJCL.com |publisher=WJCL-ABC |access-date=September 17, 2020}}

File:SCAD Poetter Hall.JPG, originally Preston Hall, was SCAD's first building and first historic restoration project.]]

File:Savannah U.S. Marine Hospital 2021a.jpg.]]

SCAD's efforts to work with the city of Savannah to preserve its architectural heritage{{cite web|url=http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1996/vp960120/01190123.htm|title=URBAN RENEWAL: NEW LIFE FOR AN OLD CITY|year=1996|work=THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT|publisher=Landmark Communications, Inc|access-date=2007-12-12}} include restoring buildings for use as college facilities, for which it has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Historic Savannah Foundation and the Victorian Society of America.{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1055|title=Savannah College of Art and Design|year=2009|encyclopedia=New Georgia Encyclopedia|access-date=2010-11-15}} The college campus includes 67 buildings throughout the grid-and-park system of downtown Savannah. Many buildings are on the 22 squares of the old town,{{cite web|title=Savannah Squares|url=http://www.visit-historic-savannah.com/savannah-squares.html|website=visithistoricsavannah.com|publisher=Visit Historic Savannah|access-date=28 July 2015}} which are laden with monuments, live oaks and a Southern-Gothic feel.

Located in Atlanta's Midtown, SCAD Atlanta includes classroom and exhibition space, computer labs, library, photography darkrooms, printmaking and sculpture studios, a dining hall, fitness center, swimming pool and residence hall.{{cite web|url=http://www.fightboredom.net/2005/01/scad-comes-to-atlanta.html|title=SCAD Comes to Atlanta|year=2005|work=fight.boredom|access-date=2007-12-12}}{{Unreliable source?|date=July 2008}} SCAD Atlanta's Ivy Hall (also known as the Edward C. Peters House) opened in 2008 after extensive restoration.{{cite web|url=http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/homeandgarden/stories/2008/10/12/ivy_hall_scad_restore.html|title=Ivy Hall reborn as cultural center|year=2008|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=2010-11-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629140233/http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/homeandgarden/stories/2008/10/12/ivy_hall_scad_restore.html|archive-date=2011-06-29}} In 2009, SCAD Atlanta opened the Digital Media Center.{{cite web|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/scad-adds-space-to-156387.html|title=SCAD adds space to expand arts, digital media classes|year=2009|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=2010-11-15}}

File:Cylinder press at SCAD-Lacoste in Vaucluse, France.jpgThe SCAD Lacoste campus is made up of 15th- and 16th-century structures. The campus includes an art gallery, guest houses, computer lab and printmaking lab. In Hong Kong, SCAD occupies renovated historic North Kowloon Magistracy Building, with more than {{convert|80000|sqft|m2}}. It is equipped with classrooms, meeting areas, computer labs, an art gallery and library.

The college's first academic building was the Savannah Volunteer Guards Armory, which was purchased and renovated in 1979. Built in 1892, the Romanesque Revival red brick structure is included on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally named Preston Hall, the building was renamed Poetter Hall in honor of co-founders May and Paul Poetter. SCAD soon expanded rapidly, acquiring buildings in Savannah's downtown historic and Victorian districts, restoring old and often derelict buildings that had exhausted their original functions.{{Cite book|last1=Pinkerton|first1=Connie Capozzola|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_1vT_7zvDp4C&pg=PA7|title=The Savannah College of Art and Design: Restoration of an Architectural Heritage|last2=Burke|first2=Maureen|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7385-1718-6|pages=7–8|language=en|via=Google Books}}

File:Slotin Building, Savannah, GA, US.jpg

The college operates four libraries: Jen Library in Savannah, Georgia; ACA Library in Atlanta, Georgia; Hong Kong Library in Hong Kong; and Lacoste Library in Lacoste, France. There is also a large amount of resources available via the eLearning Library.

The most notable of the group is Jen Library for the size of its collection. The Jen Library houses approximately 42,000 books, 11,000 bound volumes of periodicals, and 1,600 videotapes in an 85,000 square foot building.{{cite web |url=http://www.bigboxreuse.com/SCAD.html |title=The Jen Library Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA |website=Big Box Reuse}} The building, itself, once served as a Maas Brothers department store before being acquired and repurposed by the university. Its structural and design features include a large glass staircase and floor-to-ceiling windows on opposite corners of the building.{{cite web |url=https://www.scad.edu/life/buildings-and-facilities/jen-library |title=Jen Library |publisher=(SCAD) Savannah College of Art and Design |website=SCAD.edu |access-date=6 September 2016}} The Jen Library houses multiple rare collections containing both books and visual arts materials including the Don Bluth Collection of Animation and the Newton Collection of British and American Art.{{cite web |url=http://scad.libguides.com/specialcollections/ |title=Special Collections at the Jen Library, SCAD-Savannah | publisher=SCAD Libraries |access-date=6 September 2016}} It is also home to the Gutstein Gallery, an assemblage of contemporary art from both nationally recognized artists as well as SCAD alumni.{{cite web |url=https://www.scad.edu/life/buildings-and-facilities/gutstein-gallery |title=Gutstein Gallery |publisher=(SCAD) Savannah College of Art and Design |website=SCAD.edu |access-date=6 September 2016}}

In April 2021, the college announced plans of expanding its film and digital media studio, which would make it the largest college movie studio in the country. Plans include a new digital stage and three new soundstages house at a 10.9-acre backlot.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-18|title=Savannah college plans largest US college movie studio|url=https://apnews.com/article/costume-design-savannah-movies-games-video-games-0ff2484b4d0923b14cb608539f20a07a|access-date=2021-05-03|website=AP NEWS}}

In Atlanta, the university provides three residence halls, ACA Residence Hall of SCAD, Brookwood Courtyard, and the Forty. The Hong Kong residence hall is the Hong Kong Gold Coast residences. The residence halls in Savannah are Barnard Village, Boundary Village, Montgomery House, Oglethorpe House, Turner House, Chatham House, Victory Village, Turner Annex, and the Hive student housing complex, consisting of Apiary, Bumble, Colony, Dance, Everest, Flower, Garden, and Honey at The Hive. Students in Lacoste live in Maison Pitot, Fortunee, Renard, Murier, Olivier, and Basse.{{cite web|title=Buildings and Facilities|url=http://www.scad.edu/life/buildings-and-facilities/facilities/|website=scad.edu|access-date=13 November 2014}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.architectmagazine.com/design/buildings/the-scad-museum-of-art_o |title=The SCAD Museum of Art |last=Hagal |first=Caia |date=May 18, 2012 |website=ArchitectMagazine.com |publisher=Architect |access-date=September 17, 2020}} Rafael Gomes is the director of fashion exhibitions and has curated several shows including ‘Robert Fairer Backstage Pass: Dior, Galliano, Jacobs, and McQueen.'{{Cite web |date=2021 |title='ROBERT FAIRER BACKSTAGE PASS: DIOR, GALLIANO, JACOBS, AND MCQUEEN' |url=https://www.scadfash.org/exhibitions/robert-fairer-backstage-pass-dior-galliano-jacobs-and-mcqueen |access-date=2 September 2022 |website=SCAD Fash}}

University galleries include Gutstein Gallery, Pei Ling Chan Gallery, Pinnacle Gallery and La Galerie Bleue in Savannah; Gallery 1600, Trois Gallery and Gallery See in Atlanta; and Moot Gallery in Hong Kong.{{cite web|title=SCAD Galleries|publisher=SCAD|year=2010|url=http://www.scad.edu/exhibitions/galleries/|access-date=2010-11-15}}{{Citation needed|date=September 2020|reason=Need additional/different source than primary.}}

File:Montgomery Hall at SCAD.jpgSCAD offers fine art degrees. In Fall 2019, SCAD enrolled more than 14,840 students (12,167 undergraduates; 2,673 postgraduates) from all 50 states, and more than 110 countries. As of 2020, international student enrollment was 17 percent.{{cite web |url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Savannah+College+of+Art+and+Design&s=all&id=140951#enrolmt |title=Savannah College of Art and Design |website=CollegeNavigator.com |publisher=College Navigator |access-date=September 18, 2020}}

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.{{cite web|title=Accreditation|url=http://www.scad.edu/about/institutional-effectiveness/accreditation|website=scad.edu|access-date=13 November 2014}}

The university offers a study-abroad campus in Lacoste, France. In Fall 2010, SCAD opened SCAD Hong Kong in the former North Kowloon Magistracy.{{cite web|url=http://www.scad.ed/hongkong|title=Savannah College of Art and Design - Hong Kong|year=2009|publisher=SCAD|access-date=2009-02-17}}

File:Savannah GA USA Lucas Theater.JPG]]

The university is divided into nine schools:[http://scad.edu/academic/ SCAD Degree Programs] (2007). Savannah College of Art and Design. Retrieved December 12, 2007.

• School of Building Arts
• School of Business Innovation
• School of Communication Arts
• School of Design
• School of Fashion
• School of Digital Media
• School of Entertainment Arts
• School of Fine Arts
• School of Liberal Arts

File:SCAD Anderson Hall edit.jpg

There are 80 student organizations related to academic and non-academic programs and activities.{{cite web|title=2014-15 Club Listing|url=https://blog.scad.edu/icc/clublisting/|website=blog.scad.edu|access-date=13 November 2014}} SCAD has no fraternities or sororities.

File:2008.06.02.184103 Student Center Savannah GA USA.jpg

The university has multiple student-run media organizations at its Savannah and Atlanta locations.

Savannah

• District, an online-only news publication, in print from 1995 to 2008
• The Manor, an online fashion magazine published since 2014
• Port City Review, an annual literary and arts journal published since 2013
• The HoneyDripper, a sequential art and illustration blog published since 2016
• SCAD Radio, an online webcasting station broadcasting since 2002
• Women's Empowerment Club (WEC), discussion based group dedicated to intersectional feminism and social awareness

Atlanta

• The Connector, an online-only news publication, in print from 2006 to 2008
• SCAN Magazine, a quarterly general interest magazine published since 2009
• SCAD Atlanta Radio, an online webcasting station broadcasting since 2007
• SCADMC, an online gaming media experience since 2024

{{Main|SCAD Savannah Bees}}

The athletic teams of the SCAD Savannah campus are called the Bees. The college is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA),{{cite web|title=Schools|url=http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27900&ATCLID=205322922|website=NAIA.ORG|publisher=NAIA|access-date=11 November 2015}} primarily competing in the Sun Conference (formerly known as the Florida Sun Conference (FSC) until after the 2007–08 school year) since the 2004–05 academic year;{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://thesunconference.com/sports/2012/7/2/members.aspx|website=Thesunconference.com|access-date=11 November 2015}} The Bees previously competed as an NAIA Independent during the 2003–04 school year (which they were a member on a previous stint from 1987–88 (when the school began intercollegiate athletics) to 1991–92); as well as a member of the Division III ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as an NCAA D-III Independent from 1992–93 to 2002–03.

SCAD Savannah competes in 22 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include bowling, cross country, cycling, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis and track & field (indoor and outdoor); while women's sports include bowling, cross country, cycling, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis and track & field (indoor and outdoor); and co-ed sports include equestrian and eSports. Former sports included men's & women's basketball, cheerleading and co-ed fishing.

;Club/intramural sports

Fencing is offered as a club sport. Opportunities for athletics participation also exist through the college's intramural programs. Volleyball, beach volleyball, basketball, soccer, flag football, softball and various other activities are available at the intramural level.

;NCAA to NAIA

On June 17, 2003, Savannah College of Art and Design executive vice president Brian Murphy and athletic director Jud Damon announced that the university would be changing athletic affiliation from the Division III ranks of the NCAA and re-joining the NAIA.{{cite web |url= http://www.thesunconference.com/news/2009/6/12/MGSCAD20090612.aspx|title=SCAD's Loren Bunting named to PING NAIA All-America Third Team|year=2009| first= Michael |last= MacEachern |work= thesunconference.com| publisher= The Sun Conference| place= Norman, Oklahoma |access-date=2010-11-15}} SCAD had been a Division III member since 1992, but would now be joining the Florida Sun Conference. The college was a member of the NAIA from 1987 to 1992 and renewed membership in the NAIA and the FSC (now the Sun Conference) beginning with the 2003–04 season.

{{Main|SCAD Atlanta Bees}}

The athletic teams of the SCAD Atlanta campus are likewise called the Bees. The college is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) since the 2012–13 academic year;{{cite web|title=Schools|url=http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27900&ATCLID=205322922|website=NAIA.ORG|publisher=NAIA|accessdate=11 November 2015}}{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://www.aacsports.com/|accessdate=15 March 2016}} after spending two seasons as an NAIA Independent within the Association of Independent Institutions (AII) from 2010–11 (when the school began intercollegiate athletics and joined the NAIA) to 2011–12.

SCAD Savannah competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include bowling, cross country, cycling, fencing, golf, tennis and track & field (indoor and outdoor); while women's sports include bowling, cross country, cycling, fencing, golf, tennis and track & field (indoor and outdoor).

;Origins

In 2010, SCAD Atlanta entered the NAIA in men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis and men's and women's cross country.{{cite news|url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-colleges-moving-to-682601.html|title=Georgia colleges moving to add athletics|year=2010|newspaper=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=2010-11-15}}

File:SCAD Trustees Theater.JPG The college holds numerous lectures, performances and film screenings at two historic theaters it owns, the Trustees Theater and the Lucas Theatre for the Arts. These theaters also are used once a year for the Savannah Film Festival in late October/early November. Past guests of the festival include Roger Ebert, Peter O'Toole, Tommy Lee Jones, Norman Jewison, Ellen Burstyn, Sir Ian McKellen, Oliver Stone, Liam Neeson, James Franco, Sidney Lumet, Miloš Forman, Michael Douglas, Woody Harrelson, John Goodman, Claire Danes, James Gandolfini, Patrick Stewart, Holly Hunter and many others.{{cite web|url=http://filmfest.scad.edu|title=Savannah Film Festival|year=2010|publisher=SCAD|access-date=2010-11-15}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.islandpacket.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article175458016.html|title=Patrick Stewart will be at Savannah Film Fest. Here are the other celebs being honored|work=islandpacket|access-date=2018-10-10|language=en}} With average attendance more than 40,000, the event includes a week of lectures, workshops and screenings of student and professional films. There also is a juried competition.{{cite web|url=http://www.scad.edu/filmfest/|title=Savannah Film Festival|year=2007|publisher=Savannah College of Art and Design|access-date=2007-12-12}}

Founded in 2010, deFINE ART brings leading contemporary artists to Savannah and Atlanta annually in February to present new projects, commissioned works, and new performances.{{cite web |url=https://www.augustachronicle.com/news/20200213/scad-celebrates-11th-year-of-define-art |title=SCAD celebrates 11th year of deFINE ART |last=Singer |first=John |date=February 13, 2020 |website=AugustaChronicle.com |publisher=The Augusta Chronicle |access-date=September 16, 2020}} Since 2010, guests have included artists such as Lawrence Weiner, Marilyn Minter, Hank Willis Thomas, Carlos Cruz-Diez, and others.{{cite web |url=https://www.savannahnow.com/entertainmentlife/20190223/savartscene-scads-define-art-showcases-cutting-edge-contemporary-work |title=SavArtScene: SCAD's deFINE Art showcases cutting-edge contemporary work |last=Monroe |first=Kristopher |date=February 24, 2019 |website=SavannahNow.com |publisher=Savannah Morning News |access-date=September 16, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20200220/nasty-woman-marilyn-minter-speaks-on-career-life-at-scad-define-art |title=Nasty Woman: Marilyn Minter speaks on career, life at SCAD deFINE ART |last=Boatwright |first=Adriana Iris |date=February 20, 2020 |website=SavannahNow.com |publisher=Savannah Morning News |access-date=September 16, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20190928/frederick-douglass-exhibit-expands-historical-narrative-at-scad-museum-of-art |title=Frederick Douglass exhibit expands the historical narrative at SCAD Museum of Art |last=Felton |first=Ariel |date=September 28, 2019 |website=SavannahNow.com |publisher=Savannah Morning News |access-date=September 16, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.interiordesign.net/articles/17316-paula-wallace-2019-interior-design-hall-of-fame-special-leadership-award-inductee/ |title=Paula Wallace: 2019 Interior Design Hall of Fame Special Leadership Award Inductee |last=Gura |first=Judith |date=December 6, 2019 |website=InteriorDesign.com |publisher=Interior Design |access-date=September 16, 2020}}

File:SCAD Sidewalk Arts 02.jpg

Each April, SCAD hosts the Sidewalk Arts Festival in downtown Forsyth Park. The festival consists primarily of the chalk-drawing competition, which is divided into group and individual categories of students, alumni and prospective students. Similar is the Sand Arts Festival. This sand festival is held every spring on the beaches of nearby Tybee Island. Contestants can work alone or in groups of up to four people. The competition is divided into sand relief, sand sculpture, sand castle and wind sculpture divisions.{{cite web|url=http://www.scad.edu/events/sidewalkarts/2007/|title=Sidewalk Arts Festival 2007|year=2007|publisher=Savannah College of Art and Design|access-date=2007-12-12 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071206001251/http://www.scad.edu/events/sidewalkarts/2007/ |archive-date = 2007-12-06}}

Individual departments host yearly and quarterly shows to promote student work. Annual festivals such as SCAD AnimationFest, SCAD GamingFest, SCAD aTVfest, and events such as SCAD Style and offer opportunities for networking.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/scad-gamingfest-president-paula-wallace-q-a-1199718 |title=SCAD Hosts GamingFest for Next Generation of Video Game Designers |last=Shanley |first=Patrick |date=April 5, 2019 |website=HollywoodReporter.com |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=October 7, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://fashionista.com/2019/05/2019-savannah-college-art-design-scad-fashion-show |title=SCAD'S 2019 FASHION SHOW CELEBRATED DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL AWARENESS |last=Soo Hoo |first=Fawnia |date=May 23, 2019 |website=Fashionista.com |publisher=Fashionista |access-date=October 7, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://ew.com/tv/2020/02/18/scad-atvfest-2020-lineup/ |title=SCAD aTVfest 2020 lineup to include Eric McCormack, Yara Shahidi, Hunter Schafer, and more |last=Kinane |first=Ruth |date=February 18, 2020 |website=EW.com |publisher=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=October 7, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.dosavannah.com/news/20200923/scad-animationfest-2020-goes-virtual |title=SCAD AnimationFest 2020 goes virtual |last=Berinato |first=Christopher |date=September 23, 2020 |website=DoSavannah.com |publisher=Do Savannah |access-date=October 7, 2020}}

Students also frequent en masse non-SCAD-affiliated events if they are held in the historic district, such as the Savannah Jazz Festival and the St. Patrick's Day celebration.

SCAD has received repeated backlash for naming one of its academic halls after Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Thomas was born and raised in Savannah, and served as an altar boy at a convent located at 439 East Broad Street. In 2010, the building was acquired by the school and renamed the Clarence Thomas Center for Historic Preservation, with Thomas attending the dedication. Following the renewed interest of the Anita Hill hearings during Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination, several petitions were formed by SCAD students and alumni demanding the school change the building’s name.West, Charlotte. [https://www.teenvogue.com/story/scad-clarence-thomas-building-petitions “SCAD Building Named After Clarence Thomas Sparks Opposing Petitions”]. TeenVogue. Published October 22, 2018. Accessed March 17, 2023. Despite one petition receiving over 2,000 signatures, SCAD refused to rename the building. Students also launched a petition to keep Thomas’ name on the building, which received over 18,000 signatures.Bowman, Lamar. Change.org Published 2017. Accessed March 17 2023. In 2022, in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade with the decision of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, SCAD once again received backlash for the building’s name.Snyder, Flynn. “SCAD students make petition to rename Clarence Thomas center”. WTOC. Published June 28th, 2022. Accessed March 17th, 2023. Thomas voted with the majority holding that the U.S. Constitution did not confer a right to abortion, returning to individual states the power to regulate any aspect of abortion not protected by federal law, a decision which sparked protests across the country and in Savannah. Another petition was started by a SCAD student which amassed over 2,000 signatures.Hansen, Griffin. “Change the Name of SCAD's Clarence Thomas Center for Historic Preservation”. Change.org Published 2022. Accessed March 17th, 2023. Following this renewed backlash, SCAD removed the sign with Thomas’ name from the building, but issued no statement on the matter.Nicholson, Zoe. “Following Dobbs decision, SCAD removes sign in front of building named for Justice Clarence Thomas”. Savannah Morning News. Published June 30, 2022. Accessed March 17, 2023.

SCAD has had a significant impact on tourism in Savannah. In a report published by SCAD in 2018, the school claimed to have generated over $3 billion for the city and attracted 14.5 million visitors.[https://www.scad.edu/sites/default/files/PDF/SCAD-Economic-Impact-Report-2.7.20.pdf ”THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN - Executive Summary 2019”]. Savannah College of Art and Design. Published 2019. Accessed March 17th, 2023. A similar report by SCAD in 2020 claimed that the school’s Atlanta and Savannah campuses brought in $766.2 million in annual economic impact for the state.[https://www.scad.edu/about/news-press-and-recognition/2020-02-07-scad-generates-766-million-economic-impact-georgia ”SCAD Generates $766 Million in Economic Impact for Georgia”]. Savannah College of Art and Design. Published February 6th, 2023. Accessed March 17th, 2023. Yet many Savannah residents and SCAD students have expressed dissatisfaction with SCAD’s growth, specifically in Savannah. SCAD does not pay property taxes in Savannah,Zapp, Kenneth. “SCAD’s nonprofit status: A closer look”. Connect Savannah. Published July 1, 2020. Accessed March 17, 2023.Judd, Alan. “How SCAD sells a dream”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Published December 9, 2017. Accessed March 17, 2023. and the continued growth of the school’s facilities has raised property taxes in many of Savannah’s lower-income neighborhoods.Dawers, Bill. “SCAD begins work on new Victory Drive dorm complex”. Savannah Morning News. Published June 1st, 2019. Accessed March 17th, 2023. In 2023, the first large-scale protest against SCAD’s expansion was held by community members at the SCAD Museum of Art in response to SCAD’s continued displacement of black families in Savannah.Jones, Kyra. “Community members rally against SCAD’s impacts on the Hostess City”. WSAV. Published February 6, 2023. Accessed February 7, 2023. The school has issued no comment on the matter.

In 2022, it was reported that SCAD has claimed "nearly $800 million of property out of local tax revenue" while luring luxury developers to further displace local residents.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-07 |title=As SCAD grows outward, community questions whether it is revitalizer, gentrifier or both |url=https://www.savannahnow.com/in-depth/news/2022/04/07/scad-savannah-college-art-design-growth-revitalization-preservation-gentrification-georgia/9298085002/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=www.savannahnow.com |language=en-us}}

Between 2020 and 2022, three former instructors at SCAD filed suit claiming racial discrimination and retaliation for speaking out.Polansky, Rachel. "GA college accused of discriminating against Black employees". Atlanta News First. Published April 18, 2022.Dominitz, Nathan. "Former fishing coach Isaac Payne sues SCAD for alleged racial discrimination, retaliation". Savannah Morning News. Published December 10, 2020.

In 2014, the New York Post reported that former SCAD employee and influential publicist Bobby Zarem was suing SCAD for dismissing him after he spoke out about a series of sexual assaults on campus.Johnson, Richard. "Bobby Zarem suing Savannah Film Festival after firing". New York Post. Published November 14, 2014.

SCAD was censured by the American Association of University Professors for issues surrounding academic freedom, tenure, and the dismissal of faculty members. The first censure came in 1993. After working with the AAUP to be removed from the list in 2010, the organization and school came to an impasse and again, in 2012, the AAUP renewed its censure, where it remains as of 2025. [https://www.aaup.org/report/academic-freedom-and-tenure-savannah-college-art-and-design "Academic Freedom and Tenure: Savannah College of Art and Design"] [https://www.aaup.org/our-programs/academic-freedom/censure-list "Censure List".]

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{{Faculty|name=John Edgar Browning|dept=Liberal Arts|nota=Professor of Liberal Arts, author, editor, and scholar recognized internationally for his nonfiction works about the horror genre and vampires in film, literature, and culture}}

{{Faculty|name=Jill Bullitt|dept=Visual Art|nota=Professor of Painting, award-winning artist}}

{{Faculty|name=Stephen Geller|dept=English|nota=Professor of English and Dramatic Writing, author, screenwriter of Slaughterhouse-Five}}

{{Faculty|name=Tom Hardy|dept=Design Management|nota=Professor of Design Management: award-winning industrial designer, design strategist and former corporate head of the worldwide IBM Design Program|ref=Eadicicco, L, Fitzpatrick, A., Howorth, C., Luckerson, V., Peckham, M., Pullen, J. P., Raab, J., Vella. M. ″The 50 Most Influential Gadgets of All Time″ [https://time.com/4309573/most-influential-gadgets/]Time, May 3, 2016.Aldersey-Williams, H., (1992) World Design: Nationalism and Globalism in Design, New York: Rizzoli, pp.155, 170, 172Sakakibara, K., "IBM ThinkPad 700C Notebook Computer Case″, Centre for Design Management - London Business School, 1994, pp.25-9, 30-9, 40Chung, K.; Freeze, K., "Design Strategy at Samsung Electronics: Becoming a Top-Tier Company″, [https://www.academia.edu/11240728/Design_Strategy_at_Samsung_Electronics_Becoming_a_Top-Tier_Company_CASE_STUDY]Design Management Institute Case Study - Harvard Business School Publishing, 2008, p.8}}

{{Faculty|name=Suzanne Jackson|dept=Visual Art|nota=Professor of Painting (1996 to 2009), visual artist, gallery owner, poet, dancer, and set designer |ref={{Cite news|last=Felsenthal|first=Julia|date=2019-11-19|title=An Artist Who Makes Paintings Without a Canvas|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/19/t-magazine/suzanne-jackson-artist.html|access-date=2020-09-13|issn=0362-4331}}}}

{{Faculty|name=Christopher McDonnell|dept=Fashion|nota=Founder of eponymous British and US fashion label Christopher McDonnell and co-founder of London boutique/brand Marrian-McDonnell; Queen fashion editor|ref={{cite news|last1=Adburgham|first1=Alison|title=Man on the Inside|newspaper=The Guardian|date=30 November 1971|page=9}}{{cite book|last1=O'Byrne|first1=Robert|title=Style City: How London Became a Fashion Capital|date=2009|publisher=Francis Lincoln|location=London|isbn=9780711228955|page=48}}}}

{{Faculty|name=Michael Nolin|dept=Film & Television|nota=Professor of Screenwriting, screenwriter and producer of Mr. Holland's Opus}}

{{Faculty|name=Sharon Ott|dept=Performing Arts|nota=Artistic director of Performing Arts department, winner of the 1997 Regional Theatre Tony Award for her work as Artistic Director of the Berkeley Repertory Theatre}}

{{Faculty|name=David E. Stone|dept=Sound Design|nota=Won an Academy Award for the film Bram Stoker's Dracula for Best Sound Editing during the 65th Academy Awards}}

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{{AlumniStart}}

{{Alum|name=Danny!|year=|nota=Recording artist for Questlove's Okayplayer Records and record producer for MTV's Hype Music production library|ref={{Cite news|last=Stoehr|first=John|title=Local Student Wins MTV Award|newspaper=Savannah Morning News|date=2007-01-24|url=http://savannahnow.com/node/216937}}}}

{{Alum|name=Tomas Kalnoky|year=|nota=Lead singer of the ska punk band Streetlight Manifesto, and the musical collective Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution; first lead singer for the band Catch 22|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=M. Alice LeGrow|year=2003|nota=Alternative comics artist; creator of the graphic novel series Bizenghast|ref={{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214062944/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?threadid=35349|archive-date=14 February 2009|url-status=dead|url=http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=35349|title=Checking out Bizenghast With M. Alice LeGrow|date=6 June 2005|author=Ong Pang Kean, Benjamin|work=Newsarama|access-date=4 July 2009}}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221223658/http://www.bizenghast.com/about.html|archive-date=21 December 2008|url=http://www.bizenghast.com/about.html|title=About the Author|work=bizenghast.com|publisher=M. Alice LeGrow|access-date=12 September 2012}}}}

{{Alum|name=Luna Brothers|year=2001/2003|nota=Comics/graphic novel creators of Ultra, Girls, and The Sword (Image), and artists for Spider-Woman (Marvel)|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Heather Doram|year=1996 |nota=Designer of the Antigua & Barbuda national costume|ref={{Cite book|last=Kras|first=Sara Louise|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TnItHSAgevMC&dq=heather+doram&pg=PA79|title=Antigua and Barbuda|date=2008|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|isbn=978-0-7614-2570-0|language=en}}}}

{{Alum|name=Dan Hentschel|year=2018 |nota=Comedian and satirical creator|ref={{cite web|title=Joking Around with Dan Hentschel |url=https://scadradio.org/2018/04/14/joking-around-with-dan-hentschel/| website=SCAD Radio}}}}

{{Alum|name=Meredith Pardue|year=1998 |nota=Abstract painter|ref={{Cite web |url=http://www.theenglishroom.biz/2013/07/11/southern-artist-spotlight-series-meredith-pardue-2/ |title=Southern Artist Spotlight Series: Meredith Pardue - the English Room |access-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307112342/http://www.theenglishroom.biz/2013/07/11/southern-artist-spotlight-series-meredith-pardue-2/ |url-status=dead }}}}

{{Alum|name=Peg Parnevik|nota=Swedish singer, songwriter, and television personality, known for starring in Parneviks|ref={{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/peg.parnevik|title=Peg Parnevik|website=Facebook|access-date=17 March 2016}}}}

{{Alum|name=Momo Pixel |year= |nota=Video game designer and advertiser |ref={{Cite web |title=Artbreaker |url=https://oregonbusiness.com/18346-artbreaker/ |last=Diehl |first=Caleb |website=OregonBusiness.com |date=May 29, 2018 |access-date=February 10, 2025 |language=en}}}}

{{Alum|name=Residente|year= MFA |nota=Four-time Grammy Award recipient; singer and founder of the alternative hip hop group Calle 13|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Claire Rosen|year=2006|nota=Photographer; known for her series "Birds of a Feather;" included in Forbes magazine's "30 Brightest Under 30" lists in Art & Design|ref={{cite web|url=https://www.clairerosenphoto.com/birds-of-a-feather|title=Birds of a Feather}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/in-sight/wp/2018/01/26/from-bees-to-bison-dinner-tables-with-unusual-guests/|title=From bees to bison, dinner tables with unusual guests|newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/proof/2018/04/claire-rosen-fantastical-feasts-animals/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905065119/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/proof/2018/04/claire-rosen-fantastical-feasts-animals/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2018|title=Do Turtles Have Good Table Manners? A Photographer Finds Out.|website=National Geographic Society|date=April 24, 2018 }}}}

{{Alum|name=Samuel Shaw|year=2006 |nota=Professional wrestler, wrestles in WWE as Dexter Lumis|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Daniel Thrasher|year=2015 |nota=YouTuber|ref={{cite press release |title=SCAD Commencement 2022 |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scad-commencement-2022-301558938.html |website=Cision |access-date=12 April 2023}}}}

{{Alum|name=Ingrid Vanderveldt|year= 1993 (Masters
/Architecture) |nota=Businesswoman, media personality, and investor |ref={{cite web |last=Losee |first=Stephanie |url=http://techpageone.dell.com/technology/a-conversation-with-ingrid-vanderveldt-dells-entrepreneur-in-residence-2/#.UmBZFGRgZqI |title=A Conversation With Ingrid Vanderveldt, Dell's Entrepreneur-in-Residence |publisher=Techpageone.dell.com |date=2013-02-27 |accessdate=2013-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219010640/http://techpageone.dell.com/technology/a-conversation-with-ingrid-vanderveldt-dells-entrepreneur-in-residence-2/#.UmBZFGRgZqI |archive-date=2013-12-19 |url-status=dead }}}}

{{Alum|name=Jarrett Williams|year= 2006 (BFA), 2010 (MFA) |nota=Comic creator and writer known for his comic Super Pro K.O.!|ref={{cite web|url=http://www.scad.edu/about/news-press-and-recognition/oni-press-hires-jarrett-williams| title=Oni Press hires Jarrett Williams | website=scad.edu |access-date=4 May 2018}}}}

{{Alum|name=Jefferson Wood|year=1995|nota=Penciler on Big Bang Comics for Image Comics, two-time Pollstar Award winner; Billboard magazine Number 18 best rock poster artist of all time |ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Charlie Zink|year=2001 |nota=Major League Baseball pitcher|ref={{cite web|title=Charlie Zink |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zinkch01.shtml| website=Baseball Reference}}}}

{{AlumniEnd}}

{{Reflist}}

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• {{official website|http://www.scad.edu/}}
• [http://savannah.scadathletics.com/ SCAD Savannah Bees athletics website]
• [http://atlanta.scadathletics.com/ SCAD Atlanta Bees athletics website]

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