Target selects Savannah for its pilot high school art design program

Jenkins High School seniors Olivia James and Vaux South are getting a leg up in the world of art design thanks to department store Target’s virtual Advancing Design Diversity program. Savannah is one of only three cities hosting it. The pilot program is being offered to 60 students across the nation. Twenty were accepted from the Savannah Chatham County school district after the application process. “Many people go to Atlanta, so I’m really surprised they came here to Savannah and really gave us that opportunity, so I’m really glad and thankful for that,” said James.The program offers a monthly webinar and one on one mentorship with professional artists during the school year. “I get to put myself out there as an artist, meet other artists and collaborate with other artists,” said South. “I really hope this opportunity gets my foot in the door for future business.”Rosemary Dodson, a visual arts teacher specialist for the district, said Target ADD makes students think outside the box. “They don’t think about things like graphic design and interior design,” said Dodson. “They’re learning about different design fields and how lucrative they can be and different ways to get into the design business.”The Target ADD program also allows students to link with professors and resources from three art and design universities across the nation, including SCAD.The other two cities invited to participate in the program are Los Angeles and New York.

Jenkins High School seniors Olivia James and Vaux South are getting a leg up in the world of art design thanks to department store Target’s virtual Advancing Design Diversity program. Savannah is one of only three cities hosting it. The pilot program is being offered to 60 students across the nation. Twenty were accepted from the Savannah Chatham County school district after the application process. “Many people go to Atlanta, so I’m really surprised they came here to Savannah and really gave us that opportunity, so I’m really glad and thankful for that,” said James.

The program offers a monthly webinar and one on one mentorship with professional artists during the school year. “I get to put myself out there as an artist, meet other artists and collaborate with other artists,” said South. “I really hope this opportunity gets my foot in the door for future business.”

Rosemary Dodson, a visual arts teacher specialist for the district, said Target ADD makes students think outside the box. “They don’t think about things like graphic design and interior design,” said Dodson. “They’re learning about different design fields and how lucrative they can be and different ways to get into the design business.”

The Target ADD program also allows students to link with professors and resources from three art and design universities across the nation, including SCAD.

The other two cities invited to participate in the program are Los Angeles and New York.

https://www.wjcl.com/article/target-selects-savannah-for-its-pilot-high-school-art-design-program/39100057