News and Media

Published: Feb 17, 2009

HONG KONG—The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), the most comprehensive art and design university in the world, is honored to announce that the Advisory Committee on Revitalisation of Historic Buildings (ACRHB) of the Hong Kong Development Bureau recommended SCAD to receive the historic North Kowloon Magistracy Building (NKMB), 292 Tai Po Road in Sham Shui Po, for the purpose of opening a new SCAD campus in Hong Kong.

SCAD was among six organizations recommended to receive historic buildings from the Hong Kong government as a result of its "Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme." The Advisory Committee's recommendation is scheduled for final approval Feb. 24 by the Secretary for Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).

"We are honored that the Hong Kong Development Bureau has chosen SCAD over more than 100 other applicants for this opportunity," said SCAD President and co-founder Paula S. Wallace. "We believe SCAD Hong Kong will become the preeminent site for the study of digital media in Asia."

With significant expertise in the conservation and adaptive rehabilitation of historic buildings, SCAD plans to conserve and reuse the NKMB to benefit Hong Kong and international students.

SCAD has committed to invest its own capital in conserving the building as well as in creating jobs for faculty and staff and offering scholarships to worthy students, all of which will support the local Hong Kong economy. SCAD's commitment requires no investment by the Hong Kong government. As a result, valuable government financial resources can be allocated to support other public projects and needs.

Actor, philanthropist and Hong Kong native Jackie Chan, the first person to be honored by SCAD with an honorary professorship, has noted his support for SCAD Hong Kong. "SCAD is one of the best art and design universities in the world, and is expert in historic conservation. SCAD is particularly strong at renovating and managing historic buildings, as we will see when the NKMB becomes SCAD's Hong Kong campus. As an honorary professor of the university, I'm sure the building will be preserved to the highest standards, and all faculty members and students will make the best possible use of it. I'm sure Hong Kong people will be very pleased because Hong Kong will become a leader in creativity in Asia. Welcome to Hong Kong, SCAD!"

SCAD's renowned expertise in historic conservation
For more than 30 years, SCAD has been recognized as a leader in the field of historic conservation and adaptive rehabilitation, revitalizing a variety of buildings and historic structures as facilities that serve as a living laboratory for the study of art, architecture and design. With more than 70 buildings restored, SCAD's proven conservation expertise has far-reaching positive impact on the communities with which it partners.

SCAD is sensitive to historical and technical concerns, as well as social issues and economic aspects of historic conservation. SCAD's educational facilities are integrated into the historic fabric of the local communities in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., and Lacoste, France, creating a model for preservationists worldwide.

Due to its outstanding conservation work, SCAD has earned recognition from the United States National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the Historic Savannah Foundation, the Art Deco Societies of America, the International Downtown Association, the Victorian Society in America and the American Institute of Architects, among others.

Hong Kong a natural fit for SCAD
Over the years, SCAD has been approached by other cities interested in bringing the university to their communities. By diligently researching a number of sites around the world, including in the Asia-Pacific region, SCAD has sought to identify distinctive, yet complementary, venues for students.

"Considering the many advantages already afforded SCAD students in the United States and in France, we determined that the ideal location for another SCAD campus was a sophisticated international city with a significant, ongoing need for creative talent," said Wallace. "We believe Hong Kong is that city-a place where SCAD students and professors can partner with cultural and business organizations and where our graduates can pursue professional careers."

SCAD's connections to Asia have developed and strengthened over the past decade, making Hong Kong a natural fit for expansion.

"SCAD has well-established relationships in Hong Kong and mainland China, including a growing network of students, alumni, professors, donors, businesses and organizations that currently recruit talented students from the university," said Wallace. "Study trips to China are part of the SCAD curriculum, and SCAD employs noted Chinese artists and designers as faculty members in the United States. In fact, China ranks third among countries of permanent residence for our international students, who represent more than 90 countries and one-tenth of the total student population at SCAD."

In September 2008, actor and philanthropist Jackie Chan was awarded by SCAD an honorary professorship in recognition of his commitment to education and the arts. Another prominent Chinese citizen, Dr. Chan Lai Wa of Beijing, chair of Hong Kong-based Fu Wah International and founder of the China Red Sandalwood Museum in Beijing, serves as second vice chair of the executive committee of SCAD's Board of Trustees. Dr. Chan is deputy director of the Subcommittee for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Compatriots and Overseas Chinese of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

SCAD has sponsored exhibitions of work by Chinese artists, including an exhibition at the LFK Gallery in Hong Kong; participated in the 1998 International Art Exposition in Beijing; and was the only educational institution to be invited to participate in the 10th annual Shanghai Art Fair. The university also has participated in the digital media exposition China Joy in Shanghai.

In addition, SCAD has an ongoing collaboration with local Hong Kong businesses such as VTech, a world leader in cordless telephones and electronic learning products that is headquartered in Hong Kong. Because of the quality of the student work on these collaborative projects, VTech has hired SCAD students for internships and full-time careers.