Santa Fe University of Art and Design (SFUAD) was a private, for-profit

art school An art school is an educational institution with a primary focus on the visual arts, including fine art – especially illustration, painting, photography, sculpture, and graphic design. Art schools can offer elementary, secondary, post-seco ...

Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe ( ; , Spanish for 'Holy Faith'; tew, Oghá P'o'oge, Tewa for 'white shell water place'; tiw, Hulp'ó'ona, label=Tiwa language, Northern Tiwa; nv, Yootó, Navajo for 'bead + water place') is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. ...

. The university was built from the non-profit College of Santa Fe (CSF), 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 college closed and the campus was purchased by the City of Santa Fe, the State of New Mexico, and

Laureate Education Laureate Education, Inc. is a corporation based in Miami, Florida, United States. The firm owns and operates Laureate International Universities, with campuses in Mexico and Peru. The company is publicly traded on the Nasdaq. Corporate history ...

, and reopened with a narrowed focus on film, theater, graphic design and fine arts. As Santa Fe University of Art and Design it became a secular college of 950 students. The university closed in May 2018, due to significant ongoing financial challenges.

History

St. Michael's College was established at the behest of Archbishop

Jean-Baptiste Lamy Jean-Baptiste Lamy (October 11, 1814 – February 13, 1888), was a French-American Roman Catholic prelate who served as the first Archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Willa Cather's novel ''Death Comes for the Archbishop'' is based on his life ...

, who had arrived in New Mexico in 1851 to find that formal schooling in the territory was nonexistent. After establishing the Loretto Academy for girls in 1852, Lamy recruited the

De La Salle Christian Brothers french: Frères des Écoles Chrétiennes , image = Signum Fidei.jpg , image_size = 175px , caption = , abbreviation = FSC , nickname = Lasallians , named_after = , formation ...

to open a similar school for boys, and St. Michael's held its first classes in the fall of 1859. In the 1870s, the school appointed a new leader, Brother Botulph, who oversaw its growth into an institution of higher learning. Under Botulph, St. Michael's began offering high school diplomas, and later, teaching certificates. In 1874 it received a charter from the territorial legislature, making it the oldest chartered college in New Mexico.Colleges and Universities
City of Santa Fe Economic Development In 1878, the school completed a new main building which still stands in altered form on Old Santa Fe Trail. Eventually, with different types of educational institutions becoming more sharply delineated, St. Michael's phased out its post-secondary courses by the end of

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

to operate strictly as St. Michael's High School. However, in the 1940s, the school's former principal Brother Benildus of Mary decided to re-establish St. Michael's College as an institution of higher learning. In 1944 he launched a fundraiser to build a new college on the existing campus which fell short of the goal. However, he got a second chance when the former Bruns Army General Hospital on Cerrillos Road was declared surplus property at the end of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. In 1947, Benildus managed to secure a portion of the hospital complex totaling and 39 semi-permanent wooden buildings for the new college, which was ready to begin classes in the fall. By 1949 the college had over 200 students, and in 1961 it completed its first permanent building, Brother Benildus Hall. 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

(a for-profit corporation) purchased the campus, reopening the school as The College of Santa Fe, 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 closed after the 2017-2018 school year.

Campus

The Santa Fe University of Art and Design was housed on 60-acres. Approximately 70% of its student body lived in college-owned housing.

Facilities

The campus 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 Ricardo Legorreta Vilchis (May 7, 1931 – December 30, 2011) was a Mexican architect. He was a prolific designer of private houses, public buildings and master plans in Mexico, the United States of America and some other countries. He was awarde ...

. 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 Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson (29 September 1904 – 6 April 1996) was an English-American actress and singer. She was a major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer who became popular during the Second World War for her portrayal of strong women on the hom ...

. 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 was accredited by the

Higher Learning Commission The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an institutional accreditor in the United States. It has historically accredited post-secondary education institutions in the central United States: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa ...

. The college offered 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 Charles Robert Redford Jr. (born August 18, 1936) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is the List of awards and nominations received by Robert Redford, recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Awards, Academy Award from four nomi ...

to offer a full-ride Unique Voice scholarship for

indigenous people Indigenous peoples are culturally distinct ethnic groups whose members are directly descended from the earliest known inhabitants of a particular geographic region and, to some extent, maintain the language and culture of those original people ...

, as well as several Emerging Artist Scholarships.

Notable alumni

St. Michael's College

* Conrad Hilton, hotelier *

Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo (December 7, 1859April 7, 1930) was a Republican politician who served as the fourth governor of New Mexico and a United States senator. He was the first Mexican-American and first Latino United States senator. Earl ...

, former

Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

and

U.S. Senator The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and powe ...

for

New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...

. *

Manuel Lujan Jr. Manuel Archibald Lujan Jr. (May 12, 1928 – April 25, 2019) was an American politician from New Mexico who served in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican from 1969 to 1989 and as the United States Secretary of the Interior from 1 ...

, former

United States Secretary of the Interior The United States secretary of the interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior. The secretary and the Department of the Interior are responsible for the management and conservation of most federal land along with natural ...

, former member of the

U.S. House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...

College of Santa Fe

Ari Aster Ari Aster (born July 15, 1986) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He is known for writing and directing the horror films ''Hereditary'' (2018) and '' Midsommar'' (2019). Early life Aster was born into a Jewish family in Ne ...

, filmmaker * Jeffrion L. Aubry, politician in New York * Ray Buktenica, television actor * Suzanna Choffel, American singer-songwriter and musician *Paul Collins and Nick Petree of the band

Beirut Beirut, french: Beyrouth is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. , Greater Beirut has a population of 2.5 million, which makes it the third-largest city in the Levant region. The city is situated on a peninsula at the midpoint o ...

Samantha Crain Samantha Crain (born August 15, 1986) is a Choctaw Nation songwriter, musician, producer, and singer from Shawnee, Oklahoma, signed with Ramseur Records (North America) and Real Kind Records (an imprint of Communion Records) and Full Time Hob ...

, singer-songwriter/musician *

Rockmond Dunbar Rockmond Dunbar (born January 11, 1973) is an American actor, best known for his roles as Baines on the NBC series '' Earth 2'', Kenny Chadway on Showtime family drama ''Soul Food'', and Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin on the Fox crime drama '' ...

, actor *

William Jackson Harper William Fitzgerald Harper (born February 8, 1980), known professionally as William Jackson Harper, is an American actor and playwright. He is best known for his role as Chidi Anagonye on the NBC comedy ''The Good Place'' (2016–2020), for which ...

, actor *

Tim Huelskamp Timothy Alan Huelskamp (; born November 11, 1968) is an American politician who was the U.S. representative for from 2011 to 2017. Huelskamp, a member of the Republican Party, was rated the least bipartisan member of the House during the 114th ...

, U.S. Representative from Kansas's 1st district. * Annie Lederman, comedian *

Macklemore Benjamin Hammond Haggerty (born June 19, 1983), better known by his stage name Macklemore ( ; (formerly Professor Macklemore), is an American rapper and songwriter. A native of Seattle, Washington, he has collaborated with producer Ryan Lewi ...

, aka Ben Haggerty, Grammy Award-winning rapper *

Alissa Moreno Alissa Moreno is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of Indie-pop, Country, Americana, and Folk. Her co-write " Every Day", recorded by Rascal Flatts, reached No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Coun ...

, singer-songwriter * Roxy Paine, American sculptor *

Denise Poirier Denise Poirier is an American actress. She is best known for playing the character of Æon Flux in the MTV animated series of the same name. She also had prominent roles in ''Reign: The Conqueror'', HBO's ''Spawn'', and the 1998 Urban Visio ...

, voice actress for Aeon Flux * Graham Robertson, filmmaker *

Debbie Rodella Debbie A. Rodella (born November 28, 1961) is an American politician who served as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from 1993 to 2018. A Democrat, she represented Legislative District 41 located in Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, and Ta ...

, New Mexico state legislator *

William Salyers William Lewis Salyers (born August 16, 1964) is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his vocal performances, such as Reverend Putty on ''Moral Orel'', List of Regular Show characters#Rigby, Rigby on ''Regular Show'' and Doctor Octop ...

, actor/voice actor * Oliver M. Thomas, Jr.,

New Orleans New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans
Merriam-Webster. ; french: La Nouvelle-Orléans , es, Nuev ...

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

ic city council member who pleaded guilty to bribery in 2007 *

Michael Tyburski Michael Tyburski (born August 8, 1984) is an American film director and screenwriter, best known for directing ''The Sound of Silence'', which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. The film was acquired for international distribution by ...

, filmmaker * Bernadette Vigil, muralist

Notable faculty

* Matt Donovan, Chair, Creative Writing and Literature. Recipient of the 2010 Whiting Writers’ Award. *

Chris Eyre Chris Eyre (born 1968), an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, is an American film director and producer who as of 2012 is chairman of the film department at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design. Films In 1998, Chris Eyre ...

, Chair, The Film School. Recipient of Peabody and Emmy awards for his work as a filmmaker. *

Jon Jory Jon Jory is a theatrical director instrumental in the development of Actors Theatre of Louisville; he is also widely rumored to be the writer behind the pseudonym Jane Martin. Childhood Jory is a child of Hollywood character actors as his father ...

, 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 * Susan York, Installation art and Ceramics. Sculptor. *

Horace Alexander Young Horace Alexander Young (born November 4, 1954) is an American saxophonist and flute player. He currently teaches woodwind instruments and jazz studies at Washington State University since 1998; in 2015, he was appointed to serve as chair of the C ...

, Chair, Contemporary Music Program. saxophonist and flute player

Notes

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Santa Fe, College Of Art schools in New Mexico Buildings and structures in Santa Fe, New Mexico Education in Santa Fe, New Mexico Film schools in New Mexico Former for-profit universities and colleges in the United States Former Lasallian educational institutions Former Catholic universities and colleges in the United States Arts organizations established in 1859 1859 establishments in New Mexico Territory Educational institutions established in 1859 Educational institutions established in 1874 Ricardo Legorreta buildings Defunct private universities and colleges in New Mexico