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June 16, 2020

Update for Fall 2020

Dear ArtCenter Students,

We are writing to let you know of the exciting progress we are making on our plans for the Fall 2020 semester. In particular, we are happy to update you on a first phase of campus reopening that we anticipate for several courses and educational services. Although the time to register for Fall 2020 semester classes is still several weeks away, we are eager to share some general updates here.

Today, we can confirm the following plans:

  • ArtCenter will offer approximately 200 classes on campus this Fall Term, prioritizing those that involve access to facilities
  • Fall classes that are optimal for remote delivery will be offered exclusively online
  • Controlled campus access will be provided to enrolled students for use of shops, equipment, labs and other making resources outside the classroom
  • Programming of cross-departmental and peer-to-peer engagement opportunities will bring students together in outdoor spaces on campus and online.
  • We are working to establish ArtCenter Community Hubs in select international cities


More detailed information about each of these decisions can be found below.

ArtCenter will offer select classes on campus this Fall Term, prioritizing those that involve access to facilities. We have identified approximately 200 studio classes that will be offered with controlled access to shops, labs, and other facilities for students. Instructional components of some of these classes might still be delivered through online or hybrid modalities, but all of these classes will enable students to work on creative projects on campus in a controlled and safe manner. Specific safe access protocols will be outlined in detail prior to the start of the term as we prioritize the health and wellbeing of every student, faculty and staff in our community.   Please note that all of these classes will also be offered in a fully online format for those who will not be able to be in Pasadena for the Fall term, or who choose to remain remote from campus.

We are following city, county and state guidelines in planning our campus access protocols and will have an online backup plan for these classes in case there is a second wave of COVID-19 related illness.

Classes that are optimal for remote delivery will be offered exclusively online, including all Humanities and Sciences classes. Students who enroll in online courses will be able to complete the term remotely and will not be expected to be physically present at any point in the semester. This includes students enrolling in the fully online versions of classes that allow campus access.

Limited campus access will be provided to students to facilitate making outside the classroom. Beyond the on-campus classes offered, priority access will be made for graduating students who need access to facilities to complete their projects (e.g. shops, labs, library, studios, etc.). Additionally, we will endeavor, whenever possible, to create access for other students to work on campus for limited periods of time. The service-bureau model of accessing campus resources in support of all classes will continue as well.

Programming of cross-departmental and peer-to-peer engagement opportunities will bring students together in outdoor spaces on campus and online. We are developing creative programming to supplement and enrich your Fall semester experience. This will include events held in outdoor spaces on campus, providing online access to remote homerooms, and opportunities to engage in workshops and attend lectures in-person and remotely.

We are working to establish ArtCenter Community Hubs in select international cities. We are in the process of establishing physical spaces in Beijing, Shanghai, and Seoul where we will send faculty to provide instruction and educational support to students who cannot join us in Pasadena. While classes for these students will be delivered online, these hubs will provide convening spaces to work and connect in a structured manner. We will utilize technology, alumni connections and professional partnerships to provide added programming and enrichment opportunities. While we have not finalized these plans yet, we will announce these opportunities once the details are settled.

In addition to everything mentioned above, the Department Chairs are developing innovative courses and leveraging the flexibility of online platforms to engage acclaimed artists and designers from around the world to join classes as guest lecturers or faculty—just as they have done this summer. For specific questions regarding your major, please contact your department administration.

As a reminder, ArtCenter President Lorne Buchman will announce our final plan for Fall 2020 (including any adjustments to tuition and fees) by July 1, 2020.

We feel great about all the hard work that has gone into this planning and are so excited to be taking huge strides towards getting back to the ArtCenter experience we all know and love. We hope this update provides you with enough information to begin your planning and we cannot wait to have you learning with us in the Fall 2020 term.

All the best,

Karen Hofmann

Provost

ArtCenter College of Design