The SCAD Museum of Art is a contemporary art museum at 601 Turner Blvd, on Savannah College of Art and Design’s campus. Its galleries pair rotating exhibitions by established and emerging artists with works from a collection spanning photography, fashion, painting and sculpture. The museum occupies a former railroad depot, where preserved historic details meet modern design. Look for changing installations and fashion displays, and ask a student docent about the works. A café and gift shop give you a place to pause before leaving.
A railroad depot turned art museum
The museum is housed in a former railroad depot, part of the oldest surviving railroad building in the United States. Its renovation retained historic features while adding contemporary design, so the building’s original character remains part of the visit. The result is a setting where brickwork and industrial space sit alongside modern galleries.
The museum belongs to the Savannah College of Art and Design and has an educational role for the college as well as a public one. Student docents lead tours through the galleries and can explain the works on view. Each room has its own character, and visitors have found places to sit and take a pause between exhibits.
What you may see inside
Exhibitions change through the academic year, with new shows introduced each quarter. The program brings together emerging and established artists and can include contemporary art, fashion and multimedia work. Because the displays rotate, the mix of artists and subjects depends on when you visit.
The collection spans several forms, including painting, sculpture, photography, prints and costume design. Permanent holdings include modern and contemporary art, 19th- and 20th-century photography, British works and African-American art. The museum also holds more than 4,500 works, with subjects ranging from haute couture to drawings and sculpture.
Past exhibitions have included Rana Begum’s *Reflection* and the André Leon Talley fashion exhibition *Style Is Forever*. Other shows have presented work by Michi Meko and Tomokazu Matsuyama. These are examples of the museum’s changing program, not a guarantee of what will be on display during your visit. Check the current exhibitions before you go if you have a particular artist or show in mind.
Planning your visit
Give yourself time to move through the galleries at an unhurried pace. Student docents are available to lead tours, and interactive works have been part of the exhibition program. Some installations invite a closer look or engagement; follow any directions provided in the gallery.
Admission is listed at $10 in the visitor information, and advance tickets are recommended. The museum has a café and a gift shop, with art books and gifts connected to current exhibitions among the shop’s offerings. Seating at the café is limited. The museum is at 601 Turner Blvd, and paid parking is available nearby.
FAQ
Where is the SCAD Museum of Art?
It is at 601 Turner Blvd in Savannah, on the Savannah College of Art and Design campus.
How much is admission?
Visitor information lists admission at $10. Advance tickets are recommended.
How long should you spend at the museum?
Allow about 1 to 2 hours to explore the galleries.
Do exhibitions change?
Yes. New exhibitions are introduced each academic quarter, so the displays depend on when you visit.
