The School of Visual Art and Design has a partnership with Stormwater Studios, a non-profit visual arts communtiy in Columbia, situated in the Congaree Vista. Our own studio space, the SVAD Studio, provides an essential environment for students, faculty members, and visiting artists to develop new work, lead or participate in workshops, give talks, and exhibit their work. We’ve designed our studio to be an ideal working environment to test new ideas, experiment with materials and equipment, and connect with our community.
The SVAD Studio holds several exhibitions and installations each year, curated and organized by our students, faculty, and visiting artists. Traditional art forms are exhibited alongside sound and moving image media art for members of the community and beyond. We collaborate with the ten resident artists at Stormwater Studios on gallery programming and events.
As a community-facing extension of the School of Visual Art and Design, we value a diverse range of voices and backgrounds and aim to enrich and contribute to the cultural vibrancy of the Columbia arts community. Join us for our programs to learn more about our project and mission.
This annual residency program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration by placing undergraduate artists, scholars, and educators in a shared studio and supporting them in the development of a collective creative vision. The SCR is tailored to students seeking a meaningful opportunity to expand their practice, build their professional network, and gain valuable beyond the classroom experience.
Each semester students can apply for 1-week solo or group exhibitions in the SVAD Studio at Stormwater. Faculty are also encouraged to mount class exhibitions that provide hands-on experience and enhance learning outcomes.
The Stormwater Post-MFA Residency Award is given to an MFA student upon successful completion of their thesis exhibition, who demonstrated sustained excellence in their studio practice. This student, selected by faculty, is awarded a summer residency at the SVAD Studio culminating in a public exhibition.