Hammer blow for Hong Kong creative arts as SCAD closes city campus; students of fashion, art and design at a loss

A former chair of SCAD Hong Kong calls US art university’s decision sad, and says past 12 months left local creative industry and academia in a state of shock

Current students have the option to transition to SCAD Atlanta or SCAD Savannah or, in some cases, to complete their degrees online

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The Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) school will close its Hong Kong campus in May, a move that leaves its students of fashion, art and design unsure of their next move and deals a major blow to creative arts in the city. Photo: SCAD

Published: 4:00pm, 13 Mar 2020Updated: 9:37pm, 13 Mar 2020

Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) is closing its Hong Kong campus after 10 years of operations in the city. According to an internal memo sent to staff and students on Friday, the university will discontinue lessons after the spring quarter ends.

“SCAD leaders in Hong Kong and the US have devoted significant time and resources to this decision, which we believe is in the best interest of students, staff, and families who are part of the international SCAD community,” Khoi Vo, SCAD Hong Kong vice-president, was quoted as saying in the memo.

While SCAD did not specify why it is leaving Hong Kong, its memo said: “The university prioritises student safety and academic quality above all else, and after a comprehensive analysis SCAD has decided to discontinue instruction at our Hong Kong location.” The city has been rocked by months of sometimes violent anti-government protests that have severely disrupted tertiary education.

“It’s really sad to see, since SCAD had become a source of high-quality candidates and creator of opportunities in Hong Kong – it was also so much a part of the Sham Shui Po community,” said Robert Meeder, former chair of SCAD Hong Kong.

The SCAD Hong Kong campus is based in the former North Kowloon Magistracy in Sham Shui Po. Photo: SCAD

A teacher, who did not wish to be named, said there had been no warning of the school’s closure. “I am so shocked,” she said. She will be looking for a new job.