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Initiatives

Design for Good

SCAD SERVE empowers SCAD students, faculty, and staff to make meaningful contributions through intentional initiatives that improve quality of life for our communities. Design for Good courses are one such example. The 10-week courses are collaborations between SCAD SERVE and selected nonprofit organizations who have a particular challenge that they cannot effectively solve themselves, likely requiring creative exploration and innovative design thinking. A strategically chosen SCAD faculty member leads the students enrolled in the class as if they are a project team of junior design consultants, thereby driving resolution for the nonprofit organization and providing invaluable real-world experience for the students.

 

Habitat for Humanity

SCAD students designed the celebratory campaign for the Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity's 40th anniversary since joining Habitat for Humanity International. Students created the 40th Anniversary branding and marketing programs highlighting forward momentum, community, and historic accomplishments.

Greenbriar Children’s Center

SCAD SERVE channeled the creative power of the university’s faculty and students to revitalize the brand identity and communication strategy of Greenbriar Children’s Center. The center, first established in 1949, serves children and families in Savannah and surrounding areas through early childhood programming; family preservation, counseling, and shelter services; and more than 70 safe-place locations throughout the city. SCAD faculty and students elevated Greenbriar’s messaging with a cohesive suite of visuals for digital and print platforms and an engaging, overarching narrative that tells the story of Greenbriar’s history and illuminates a clear path to the bright future ahead.

Tharros Place 

With the guidance of SCAD faculty, 18 interior design students curated a comforting environment for the first shelter for human trafficking survivors in Chatham County: Tharros Place, which provides trauma-informed support and a safe residential space for female survivors aged 12–17.

SCAD students worked closely with Tharros Place Executive Director Julie Wade during the development, as well as with survivors, to ensure the design, material selections, and aesthetics of the space sensitively and effectively transformed the 16-room facility into a shared living, learning, and healing haven for the shelter’s clients.

Sweet Auburn Works

When Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn Works — a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, revitalization, and promotion of the commercial and cultural legacy of the Sweet Auburn Historic District — approached SCAD, the preeminent leader in higher education for creativity, design, and innovation, it sparked a collaboration to reimagine and elevate the neighborhood's commercial corridor while paying homage to its rich cultural legacy.

Drawing from the university’s global reputation for preservation, adaptive reuse, and historic revitalization, SCAD conceived a new initiative within SCAD SERVE, inspired by the university’s 40-plus-year history of expertise uplifting community neighbors in need. The inaugural Design for Good course gathered students from the university’s top-ranked advertising and branding, interior design, photography, creative business leadership, and preservation design programs in Atlanta and Savannah to research and formulate design solutions for two of Sweet Auburn Works’ keystone initiatives: the design of the SPARK Innovation Lab and the development of a comprehensive visual communication strategy for neighborhood institution Sweet Auburn Bread Company and its owner and pastry chef, Sonya Jones.

Buzz Bus

Inaugurated by SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace in 2010, the SCAD Buzz Bus makes frequent surprise visits to local K–12 schools and organizations to offer one-on-one student workshops, book readings, musical performances, and art-supply donations.

Supply Giveaway for Art Teachers

Each summer SCAD donates tens of thousands of art supplies to the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System as part of the university’s annual Buzz Bus initiative. The new and gently used art supplies — such as paint, brushes, fabric, charcoal, sketch paper, and tools — are collected by SCAD students, faculty, and staff at the end of the academic year to help support local art educators. Every teacher receives a large box of supplies and can also choose from an immeasurable amount of other donated materials to inspire the next generation of artists and designers.

Back40

Since opening in 2019, SCAD’s Back40 organic farm and apiary has donated more 10 tons of fruit, vegetables, herbs, and honey to America’s Second Harvest of the Coastal Empire. SCAD is the organization’s largest supplier of fresh produce, helping ease food insecurity for neighbors in need with weekly donations. SCAD also makes regular donations to Park Place Outreach Youth Emergency Shelter in Savannah.

The Lorlee Workforce Housing

SCAD students, alumni, and faculty from the School of Building Arts (architectural history, architecture, furniture design, interior design, and preservation design) contributed to a SCAD SERVE assignment converting the historic building formerly known as Pulaski House, a three-story residence hall on Barnard Street, into 22 workforce housing units. Renovations began in the spring of 2021 and were completed in late 2022. In 2023, the building was renamed The Lorlee in honor of Lorlee Tenenbaum, a pillar of the Savannah community remembered for her zest for life, her giving spirit, and her deep appreciation for art, education, and culture.

Workforce housing units are defined as housing that is affordable for a household income between 60% and 120% of Area Median Income. Securing workforce housing is a major priority for the city, including Mayor Van Johnson’s Housing Savannah Task Force. In Savannah, housing costs have outpaced incomes at a rate of two-to-one over the past 30 years.

I am elated to learn of this project which strongly aligns with the goals of the City Council and our Housing Savannah Task Force that there will be affordable housing for Savannahians. I am grateful to President Wallace and the SCAD family for this great contribution to our workforce housing inventory and for being a good neighbor.”

— Van Johnson, Mayor of Savannah

Paint Our Parks

The Paint Our Parks public art initiative invites our neighbors and friends in SCAD’s hometowns of Savannah and Atlanta, Ga., to enjoy the work of accomplished SCAD artists. Since launching in 2021, Paint Our Parks has beautified and enlivened 16 basketball courts and play spaces at city parks, schools, and community youth centers with vibrant murals by SCAD alumni.

Atlanta

  • Arthur Langford Jr. Park: Emily Eldridge (B.F.A., illustration, 2024)
  • Mozley Park: Carla Contreras (M.F.A., painting, 2019)
  • Adair Park I: Alex Waggoner (B.F.A., painting, 2012)  
  • Adair Park II: Joseph Veazey (B.F.A., graphic design, 2009); Dohyun “Odni” Lim (B.F.A., animation, 2019) 
  • Sara J. González Memorial Park: José Ray (B.F.A., painting, 2011) 
  • Howell Park: Drew Borders (B.F.A., animation, 2020) 
  • Thomasville Heights Recreation Center: Alexandria Hall (B.F.A., illustration, 2019) 
  • Stone Hogan Park: Nina Robinson (B.F.A., animation, 2019) 
  • Usher-Collier Elementary School: Alexandria Hall (B.F.A, illustration, 2019) 

Savannah

  • Coastal Middle School: Peach Tao (B.F.A., illustration and printmaking, 2010) 
  • Greenbriar Children’s Center: Chris Nickels (B.F.A., illustration, 2012) 
  • Hodge Elementary School: Joe Dreher (B.A., architecture, 1993) 
  • Savannah Jewish Educational Alliance: Melyssa Amann (B.F.A., illustration, 2020) 
  • W. W. Law Community Center: Anthony “Mojo” Reed II (B.F.A., sequential art, 2015) 
  • Southwest Middle School: Cherry Chandra (M.A., illustration, 2021)
  • Heard Elementary: Juliana Lupacchino (B.F.A., fibers, 2017)

The places where we lounge, laugh, and play. The spaces where we stroll, reflect, and reinvigorate. Our parks are where we find our best selves — and SCAD SERVE's Paint Our Parks public art initiative invites our neighbors and friends to enjoy the work of accomplished SCAD artists who realize shared visions of positivity, wellness, and joy, and uplift neighborhoods from Atlanta to Savannah.”

— Paula Wallace, SCAD President and Founder

SCAD has given our students and our community the most amazing gift — a gift that combines art, joy, and play. The SCAD SERVE Paint Our Parks team transformed what was an eyesore of an outdoor space into a work of art. Our Parent Teacher Student Association has been working to beautify the space for years, but SCAD swept in and worked their magic as only they can. Our students, families, and community will enjoy this amazing spot for years to come. Thank you, SCAD!”

— Allison Schuster-Jones, principal of Coastal Middle School

Working alongside the amazing SCAD SERVE team on our Paint Our Parks initiative brought me so much joy and inspiration. Employing the creative skills I gained while at SCAD to positively impact a community has been so deeply rewarding. Providing a space for the community to thrive, grow, and experience joy is the best aspect of being a muralist. From the design creation process, working with the amazingly talented volunteers, to witnessing the finished courts come to life — it has been such a blessing and an honor to work on this project with everyone involved at SCAD SERVE.”

— Alexandria Hall (B.F.A., illustration, 2019), SCAD SERVE Alumni Ambassador

Tree-planting Initiative 

SCAD engaged in a long-term project to explore the impact of trees on the environment, economy, human health, and social well-being. This timely research provides innovative concepts and solutions that grow and protect urban forests and help address tree-equity issues. Based on this in-depth research, SCAD took immediate action, planting or donating hundreds of trees in Savannah neighborhoods directly affected by environmental inequity.

Union Mission

Since its founding in 1937, Union Mission has grown from a small soup kitchen to a multifaceted organization serving the homeless population of the greater Savannah area. A unique SCAD SERVE collaboration with Union Mission in 2022 amplified and beautified the organization’s new Mental Health Counseling Center and Parker’s House: A Home for Women. SCAD alum Robin Maaya (B.F.A., photography, 2021) photographed Union Mission clients, portraying the stories and lives of these Savannahians and others served by Union Mission in a collection of 28 black-and-white images titled Mission of Mercy. Enlivening the walls of Union Mission’s spaces, the photographs convey a message of hope and authenticity.

Holiday gift drive

Each year since 1994, SCAD students, faculty, and staff donate hundreds of gifts — from clothing and toys to books, electronics, bikes, and more — to Union Mission to create joyful holiday moments for local children and their families. To boost the festive spirit, SCAD elves transform one of Union Mission’s rooms into a holiday wonderland with garland, Christmas trees, and other seasonal scenes.

SCAD has provided a bright and beautiful holiday experience for the most vulnerable in our community. I know our clients are incredibly grateful for the compassion, hope and cheer brought during this time of giving. We are honored by the tremendous dedication, expertise, and care of the SCAD team.”

— Michael Traynor, Union Mission president and CEO

 

Emmaus House

SCAD SERVE volunteers weekly at Emmaus House to support the clothing closet initiative, serving 20–40 individuals each week. Continuous service by volunteers has dramatically increased the number of clients Emmaus House is able to serve. The clothing closet collaboration originated as a Design for Good course in which SCAD students redesigned the initiative including labeling and workflow.