SCAD Museum of Art facts for kids
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The Savannah College of Art and Design Museum of Art building in 2021
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| Established | 2002 |
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| Location | 601 Turner Blvd., Savannah, Georgia United States |
| Type | Art museum |
The SCAD Museum of Art is a cool place to see art in Savannah, Georgia. It's part of the Savannah College of Art and Design, also known as SCAD. The museum first opened in 2002. Back then, it was called the Earle W. Newton Center for British American Studies.
This museum has a huge collection of over 4,500 art pieces. You can see everything from fancy clothes (called haute couture) to drawings, paintings, sculptures, and photos. It's a "teaching museum," which means it helps students from SCAD learn about art. It also welcomes everyone else who wants to visit!
A special part of the museum is the Walter O. Evans Center for African American Studies. This center helps people learn about and enjoy African American culture, art, and books. There's also the André Leon Talley Gallery, named after a famous fashion editor. In October 2011, the museum reopened after a big makeover. It got new art rooms, a theater, a café, and even a giant touch screen table! A tall, glowing steel and glass tower now lights up the Savannah skyline.
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Museum History
The museum building is very old and special. It was built in 1856 and was once the main office for the Central of Georgia Railway. This building is a National Historic Landmark. It's the only old railroad complex from before the American Civil War that is still standing in the country.
The museum started in 2002. It was named after Earle W. Newton, who gave a large collection of British and American art in 2001. In 2006, the museum changed its name to the SCAD Museum of Art. This new name showed that its art collections were growing bigger.
More work was done on the outside of the building in 2007 and 2008. They fixed the walls, windows, and even replaced the 150-year-old roof! Today, the old train depot next to the museum is also being restored by SCAD.
How the Museum Grew
In January 2010, work began to make the museum bigger and better. SCAD's architects and designers worked hard to mix the building's old history with new ideas. They even studied the old materials to make sure new parts matched perfectly.
The museum now uses lots of energy-saving features. It has special lights that use less power and systems that control the temperature in different areas. The outdoor areas were also planned to save water, using plants that don't need much water.
You can see old bricks and original wood beams throughout the museum. Many of the high ceilings were kept, which helps keep the building cool. These tall spaces also make a dramatic background for all the amazing art on display.
Amazing Artworks
The SCAD Museum of Art has many different collections. One of the most important is the Walter O. Evans Collection of African American Art. It's one of the largest collections of African American art in the United States. You can see works by famous artists like Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence.
The Earle W. Newton Center for British and American Art has old books, maps, and paintings. These include works by artists like William Hogarth and Thomas Gainsborough.
The museum's main collection has over 4,500 pieces. It includes art by well-known artists such as Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol. You can also see beautiful haute couture (high fashion) from designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel.
When the museum reopened in 2011, it showed new art by modern artists. These included Alfredo Jaar, Liza Lou, and Kehinde Wiley.
Museum Curators
Curators are like art detectives who choose and care for the artworks.
- Daniel S. Palmer has been the chief curator since 2022.
- Ben Tollefson is a curator.
- Brittany Richmond is an assistant curator.
Art Collections to Explore
Walter O. Evans Collection of African American Art
This collection is super important! It has African American art from the 1700s all the way to today. It shows how African American artists have created amazing works over many years.
Parts of this collection have traveled to many other art museums across the country. In 2006, some of these artworks were given to the SCAD Museum of Art.
Earle W. Newton Center for British and American Studies
This collection was started by Earle Newton in 2001. It has books, maps, and paintings that show how Britain and America were connected in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. It also has hundreds of portrait paintings by artists from both countries.
The SCAD Costume Collection
Get ready for fashion! This collection has amazing clothes, including fancy haute couture from famous designers. You can see garments from Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, and Givenchy. Some pieces were even donated by Cornelia Guest, whose mother was a fashion icon.
The Modern and Contemporary Art Collection
This collection features art from the 1800s and 1900s, as well as very new art. You can find works by famous artists like Francisco Goya, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Salvador Dalí, and Pablo Picasso. It also includes art by modern artists like Wangechi Mutu and Carrie Mae Weems.
The 19th- and 20th-century Photography Collection
If you love photos, this collection is for you! It has pictures by famous photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Mapplethorpe, Annie Leibovitz, and Andy Warhol.
