Santa Fe University of Art and Design (SFUAD) is a for-profit, accredited four-year university located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The university built from the College of Santa Fe which was a Catholic facility founded as St. Michael's College in 1859, and renamed The College of Santa Fe in 1966. After financial difficulties in 2009, the campus was purchased by the City of Santa Fe, the State of New Mexico, and Laureate Education, and reopened with a narrowed focus on the film, theater, and other arts. The school is currently secular, and as of 2017, reports having 950 students. According to the U.S. Department of Education, as of 2017 the overall graduation rate is 22%. The university is scheduled to close in May 2018.
History
Opened by the De La Salle Christian Brothers in 1859, the school (then known as St. Michael's College) received a charter for higher education in 1874 making it the oldest chartered college in New Mexico. In 1966, the Christian Brothers changed the name of the school to the College of Santa Fe.
In February 2009, the College of Santa Fe declared a state of financial emergency. Attempts to merge with Highlands University faltered due to funding concerns, and the school nearly closed. In September 2009, a public-private partnership that included the City of Santa Fe, the New Mexico State Governor's Office and Laureate Education (a for-profit corporation) purchased the campus, reopening the school as The College of Santa Fe, albeit under different leadership.
The name changed to Santa Fe University of Art and Design on August 30, 2010 after the school decided to narrow its focus on art and design. There is no longer an affiliation with the Lasallian Brothers or the alumni of College of Santa Fe.
On May 18, 2016 the school announced that it would be acquired by Raffles Education, a Singapore-based private company. However, the deal fell through, leaving ownership of the school with Laureate Education. Citing "significant ongoing financial challenges," the university will close after the 2017-2018 school year.
Campus
The Santa Fe University of Art and Design is housed on 60-acres. Approximately 70% of its student body lives in college-owned housing.
Facilities
The university is the location of the Greer Garson Theatre Center, which includes the Weckesser Studio Theatre, a black-box performance space, a dance studio, the Claire Stewart Williamson Acting Lab, practice rooms and costume shops.
The Visual Arts Center houses the art and photography departments. The facility is a series of interconnected buildings designed by Ricardo Legorreta.
Garson Studios is a 27,000-square-foot motion picture soundstage facility connected to the university’s Film School. It has the largest permanent green screen in the state of New Mexico. The facility was founded in 1989 by actress and College of Santa Fe patron Greer Garson. According to the school, Garson Studios has been the filming location of over 30 films, which collectively have been nominated for 20 Academy Awards, with 5 wins. Students from all programs are eligible to intern on films produced at Garson Studios.
The Screen is a cinematheque with seating for 165. It screens international, artistic, and independent films, and also streams performances of operas, ballets, and plays via satellite. The theater is open to the public.
Academics
Santa Fe University of Art and Design is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The college offers degrees in arts management, contemporary music, creative writing, digital arts, film, graphic design, performing arts, photography, and studio art.
In 2012 the school began collaborating with actor Robert Redford to offer a full-ride Unique Voice scholarship for indigenous people, as well as several Emerging Artist Scholarships.
Notable alumni
St. Michael's College
- Conrad Hilton, hotelier
- Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo, former Governor and U.S. Senator for New Mexico.
- Manuel Lujan Jr., former United States Secretary of the Interior, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives
College of Santa Fe
- Ray Buktenica, television actor
- Suzanna Choffel, American singer-songwriter and musician
- Paul Collins and Nick Petree of the band Beirut
- Samantha Crain, singer-songwriter/musician
- Rockmond Dunbar, actor
- Tim Huelskamp, U.S. Representative from Kansas's 1st district.
- Joseph Matukewicz, senior vice president at Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions
- Alissa Moreno, singer-songwriter
- Roxy Paine, American sculptor
- Denise Poirier, voice actress for Aeon Flux
- Graham Robertson, filmmaker
- Debbie Rodella, New Mexico state legislator
- William Salyers, actor/voice actor
- Oliver M. Thomas, Jr., New Orleans Democratic city council member who pleaded guilty to bribery in 2007
- Anna Ramey Borden, First Assistant Director for Better Call Saul
Notable faculty
- Matt Donovan, Chair, Creative Writing and Literature. Recipient of the 2010 Whiting Writers’ Award.
- Chris Eyre, Chair, The Film School. Recipient of Peabody and Emmy awards for his work as a filmmaker.
- Jon Jory, President's Chair, Performing Arts Department. Member of the American Theatre Hall of Fame; recipient of the National Theatre Conference Award and the American Theatre Association's Distinguished Career Award.
- Anne Valente, Creative Writing and Literature. Recipient of the 2011 Dzanc Books Short Story Prize
- Horace Alexander Young, Chair, Contemporary Music Program. saxophonist and flute player
Notes
References
External links
- Santa Fe University of Art and Design
- Garson Studios
- The Screen