Say what you will about SCAD, but we didn’t get to be one of the best art colleges in the country through lack of diversity in our curriculum. SCAD is truly unique in its variety of resources, campuses and program offerings – where else can you get an M.F.A. in theme park entertainment design or a B.F.A. in fibers? That being said, SCAD is always looking for ways to improve and there are certainly more art areas that we are surprised SCAD has not explored. In response to the 2015 new and expanded SCAD programs including service design, film and television, branded entertainment, user experiences (UX) design, and buisness design and arts leadership, here are the top five SCAD programs we want to see introduced next year.
- Culinary Arts.
Photo courtesy of culinaryschools.com.
One of the oldest art forms in history is cooking and with SCAD’s approach to making art careers practical, wouldn’t it seem logical for students to have the opportunity to learn how to better cook for themselves and others? Culinary arts programs are often restricted to trade schools like Le Cordon Bleu, be we want to see SCAD break the mold for the hundredth time and train aspiring chefs with courses like organic cooking, ethnic recipe preparation and classic Southern cooking. Plus, it would be amazing to take that pastry chef elective and master the ability to craft the perfect cake pops.
- Music.
Photo courtesy of performingartsschools.com.
Now we are aware of the music minor available in Savannah, but music is such an eclectic and moving art form that we feel SCAD is missing out by not expanding this program to include a bachelors and masters degree. There are so many opportunities to explore in both classical and contemporary music: composition, orchestra, conducting, music production, even music therapy. Also, with access to a music program, performing arts majors like theater and dance could better hone their music skills and become that ever-sought-after Triple Threat.
- Art Therapy.
Photo courtesy of ourhealingcolors.files.wordpress.com.
A degree of this nature might be better off with just a master’s program, but art therapy is sorely underestimated in its success rate for people of all ages. For a person who finds it difficult to express themselves verbally, art therapy gives them the freedom to work with paint, clay, sculpture and other mediums that highly-trained specialists can examine to determine how the client feels. Art therapy is proven to work well with children, creative-minded adults and especially war veterans with PTSD. With the incorporation of this program, SCAD would be doing a service by training students to help people overcome their struggles through art expression.
- Landscape Architecture.
Photo courtesy of api.ning.com.
With an interior design program voted No. 1 in the country, wouldn’t you think SCAD could balance out this program with another focused on exterior design? Landscape architects are the brilliant minds behind park layouts, landmark designs and garden plans. With courses in landscape design, site planning and environment restoration, SCAD would be doing its part to help the environment by offering a program to teach the construction of eco-friendly, breathtaking outdoor facilities. Who knows, a SCAD alum could even be responsible for designing the next big national park or monument.
- Art Education
Photo courtesy of arts.ufl.edu/.
In the southeast in particular, so many public school are not receiving the funding they need to keep art classes like drama, visual arts and music alive. An art education program at SCAD could help train students to foster these essential learning opportunities to help children shape their problem-solving, self-expression and teamwork skills. In Atlanta, there is a non-profit organization called ArtsNow that aims to use art in schools to teach children math, science and social studies. ArtsNow curriculums have proven to help children better retain information for exams and projects. Also, SCAD might want to consider that if art programs in elementary and middle schools that nurture lifelong passions become extinct, the college might have fewer applicants in the future.
Comment below and tell us if you would want to take any classes from these programs at SCAD.