SCAD Atlanta: A Local Guide to The Savannah College of Art and Design in Midtown

The Savannah College of Art and Design – Atlanta (SCAD Atlanta) is one of the city’s most visible creative hubs, especially if you spend time in Midtown. Whether you’re thinking about studying there, visiting a student, or just curious about the big art school off Peachtree, it helps to understand how SCAD fits into Atlanta’s neighborhoods, culture, and daily life.

This guide focuses specifically on SCAD Atlanta—where it is, what it offers, how to get around campus, and what locals and visitors might want to know.

Where SCAD Atlanta Is Located

Main Atlanta location (administrative + academic core):
SCAD Atlanta
1600 Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30309

This stretch of Peachtree sits between Midtown and Buckhead, with quick access to:

• Arts Center MARTA Station (Red/Gold lines)
• I-85 and I-75 via the Brookwood Interchange
• Nearby neighborhoods like Atlantic Station, Home Park, Ansley Park, and Buckhead

SCAD’s Atlanta presence is urban and spread across several buildings, but the Peachtree address is its anchor.

What SCAD Atlanta Is Known For

SCAD is a private, arts-focused university with a strong emphasis on:

• Digital media and entertainment (animation, film, game design, visual effects)
• Design disciplines (graphic design, UX, interior design, industrial design)
• Fashion and accessories design
• Fine arts and photography
• Business-focused creative majors (like advertising, branded entertainment, and creative business leadership)

The Atlanta campus in particular is often associated with:

• Proximity to film and TV production in metro Atlanta
• Close ties to local design firms, agencies, and game studios
• Access to galleries, theaters, and cultural institutions clustered around Midtown

For Atlanta residents, SCAD is both a college and a creative institution that regularly opens its doors to the public for exhibitions, talks, and festivals.

SCAD Atlanta vs. SCAD Savannah (From an Atlanta Perspective)

SCAD has multiple locations, but many Atlanta-area students weigh the choice between SCAD Atlanta and SCAD Savannah.

Here’s a simplified comparison from an Atlanta-focused point of view:

If you live in metro Atlanta, SCAD Atlanta can be attractive for:

• Shorter travel to and from home
• Internships and networking with Atlanta-based companies
• Easier access for family and friends to visit campus events

Degrees, Majors, and Programs at SCAD Atlanta

SCAD updates its offerings over time, but SCAD Atlanta is known for strong programs in:

• Animation and Visual Effects
• Film and Television
• Game Design and Interactive Media
• Graphic Design and Advertising
• User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI)
• Illustration
• Photography
• Interior Design
• Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing
• Sequential Art and Comics-related storytelling
• Creative business/leadership fields related to the arts

Programs are studio-intensive, with a lot of time spent in labs, computer suites, and specialized spaces rather than big lecture halls.

For someone living in Atlanta, this can mean:

• Access to night and weekend events on campus even if you work a day job
• An option for creative career-changers who want to study while staying near their existing network

Campus Facilities and Key Buildings

SCAD Atlanta’s buildings are concentrated near the Peachtree corridor and surrounding streets. While specific building names and uses can change, students regularly mention:

• Classroom and studio buildings for majors like animation, fashion, and photography
• Computer labs and editing suites for film, visual effects, and game design
• Galleries and exhibition spaces that are sometimes open to the public
• Dining, student commons, and recreation areas

Because the campus is integrated into the city grid, you’ll see:

• SCAD-branded buildings and signage along Peachtree
• SCAD shuttle buses moving students between buildings and housing
• Students walking with art portfolios, cameras, and equipment cases

If you’re visiting, it’s normal to feel like you’re walking through a city block that doubles as a campus, rather than a fenced-in university.

Getting to SCAD Atlanta: Transportation & Parking

MARTA and Public Transit

For most Atlantans, MARTA is the simplest way to reach SCAD Atlanta without dealing with parking:

• Rail:

  • Use the Red or Gold line to Arts Center Station.
  • From there, you can walk, bike, scooter, or transfer to a bus/ride-share up Peachtree.

• Bus routes:
  Routes serving Peachtree St NW around 1600 Peachtree can get you very close to campus. Service patterns change, so checking current MARTA bus routes is recommended.

Public transit is especially useful if you’re visiting during major events or weekday rush hours.

Driving and Parking

If you’re driving to SCAD Atlanta:

• Expect busy traffic around the I-75/I-85 Brookwood area and Peachtree, especially:
  • Weekday mornings (7–9 a.m.)
  • Late afternoons (4–7 p.m.)
• Look for clearly marked campus parking or nearby paid decks.
• Street parking may be limited or time-restricted in many blocks.

Visitors coming in from suburbs like Marietta, Decatur, Sandy Springs, or Stone Mountain typically use:

• I-75 or I-85 into Midtown/Brookwood
• GA-400 (if coming from the north) connecting into I-85

If you’re dropping off or picking up a student, give extra time around move-in days, portfolio shows, or graduation—the immediate area can get congested.

SCAD Atlanta Student Housing (From a Local Perspective)

SCAD maintains student housing in and around its Atlanta campus. While specific residence halls can shift over time, a few Atlanta-specific points matter:

• Freshmen and many underclassmen often live in SCAD-managed housing close to class buildings.
• Upperclassmen sometimes move to nearby apartments in areas like:
  • Midtown
  • Home Park
  • Buckhead
  • Westside/Atlantic Station area

If you live in these neighborhoods, you may notice:

• Higher student presence in certain apartment complexes
• More late-evening foot traffic around Peachtree, 14th–17th Streets, and West Peachtree

For parents or students moving in from out of town, checking:

• Distance from housing to the main Peachtree building
• Access to MARTA stations or SCAD shuttles
• Walkability and lighting along routes

…can help plan a safer and more convenient everyday routine.

Campus Safety and the Surrounding Area

SCAD Atlanta sits in a busy, high-visibility part of the city, near major roads, offices, dining, and residential buildings. As with any urban campus in Atlanta:

• SCAD has its own security presence, including controlled access to many campus buildings.
• Standard big-city precautions are wise:
  • Be aware of surroundings, especially at night
  • Use designated routes and ride-shares from well-lit areas
  • Take advantage of campus escorts or shuttles, if available

Nearby areas like Midtown, Atlantic Station, and Buckhead are generally active well into the evening, which can feel safer for many students, while still requiring normal urban awareness.

For emergencies in Atlanta, dial 911. For non-emergency public safety issues in the city, residents often use:

• City of Atlanta Police non-emergency line: 404-658-6666

Students are usually encouraged to keep both local police and SCAD security numbers handy.

How SCAD Atlanta Connects to the Local Creative Scene

SCAD Atlanta is deeply woven into Atlanta’s creative and entertainment industries. From a local perspective, that looks like:

• Film and TV:
  Students and grads often seek work or internships with productions based at or around:

  • Tyler Perry Studios
  • Trilith Studios (in Fayetteville)
  • Other production spaces and post-production houses in metro Atlanta

• Design & Advertising:
  The campus is close to Midtown and Buckhead offices of:

  • Advertising agencies
  • Corporate marketing departments
  • Tech and software companies with growing design teams

• Gaming & Interactive Media:
  Atlantans in the tech and game-dev community often cross paths with SCAD students at:

  • Local meetups
  • Game jams
  • Industry talks and showcases

• Art Galleries and Public Events:
  SCAD Atlanta frequently hosts:

  • Student and faculty exhibitions
  • Film screenings
  • Lectures and visiting-artist talks

These events are sometimes open to Atlanta residents and visitors, giving non-students a chance to see emerging work and connect with the local creative community.

Public Events and Ways Non-Students Can Engage

If you live in Atlanta but don’t attend SCAD, you can still interact with SCAD Atlanta in several ways:

• Gallery shows and exhibitions

  • SCAD often presents student or curated shows that are open to the public during specified hours.

• Film screenings, talks, and panel discussions

  • These can feature visiting filmmakers, designers, artists, and industry professionals.

• Annual festivals and special events

  • Certain recurring events affiliated with SCAD may have Atlanta components (for example, film- or art-related series), though major festivals may be more prominent in Savannah.

Before visiting, it’s wise to:

• Verify current event schedules
• Confirm visitor policies, hours, and any registration requirements

Because SCAD is a private institution, access to some facilities is restricted to students, faculty, and staff.

Admissions, Financial Aid, and Contact Information

If you’re in the Atlanta area and considering applying, you can usually get help with:

• Portfolio guidance
• Program selection
• Admissions requirements
• Financial aid and scholarships

Key Atlanta contact location:

SCAD Atlanta – Main Campus
1600 Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30309

For the most accurate, up-to-date phone numbers, email contacts, and office hours, it’s best to check SCAD’s official channels or call the main Atlanta campus information line (which is typically listed under “SCAD Atlanta” on official materials).

Local high school students in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and surrounding counties often:

• Attend SCAD information sessions
• Visit the Atlanta campus for portfolio days or tours
• Talk with admissions representatives who visit area high schools and college fairs

Living in Atlanta While Attending SCAD

Many SCAD Atlanta students come from within metro Atlanta—Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, and beyond. Common questions they consider include:

1. Can I commute?

Some students live at home and commute, especially from:

• North Fulton / Sandy Springs / Dunwoody via GA-400 and MARTA
• Decatur / East Atlanta via I-20 and surface streets
• Marietta / Smyrna via I-75

If you plan to commute:

• Budget extra time during rush hours
• Consider park-and-ride options on MARTA to avoid downtown traffic and parking stress

2. What’s the lifestyle like?

Being in Midtown/Brookwood means:

• Access to restaurants, coffee shops, and retail within a short drive or walk
• Close distance to Piedmont Park, the Atlanta BeltLine (Eastside and Northside segments), and cultural venues like:
  • Woodruff Arts Center
  • High Museum of Art
  • Alliance Theatre

Students often blend campus life with city life, going to:

• Local music venues
• Indie cinemas
• Neighborhood events and festivals across Atlanta

3. How does SCAD fit into the broader Atlanta college landscape?

Atlanta is home to many institutions, including:

• Georgia Tech
• Georgia State University
• Emory University
• Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta (Atlanta University Center)

SCAD stands out as a specialized arts and design college. For Atlantans, this can mean:

• A distinct community of creative students
• Collaboration opportunities with students from other Atlanta schools on films, games, startups, and art shows

Tips for Visitors and Families

If you’re coming to Atlanta to visit a SCAD student or tour the campus:

• 🕒 Plan extra time for traffic and parking, especially on weekdays.
• 🚇 Consider MARTA if you’re staying in Downtown, Midtown, or near the airport.
• 🏨 Look at Midtown, Buckhead, or Atlantic Station hotels for short stays—these areas give quick access to SCAD and plenty of dining.
• 🍽️ Explore nearby food spots along Peachtree, West Peachtree, and 14th–17th Streets for meals before or after your campus time.
• 📸 Bring a camera—SCAD students often display creative work around campus, and nearby Midtown architecture and public art are very photogenic.

Key Takeaways About SCAD Atlanta

• SCAD Atlanta is the Atlanta-based campus of the Savannah College of Art and Design, focused on art, design, film, and digital media.
• It’s located at 1600 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309, blending into Midtown’s urban environment.
• The campus is closely connected to Atlanta’s film, TV, design, and tech industries, making it a strong fit for creative students who want to be in a major city.
• Atlantans can interact with SCAD through public exhibitions, screenings, and events, while students benefit from local industry access and city amenities.
• Transportation options include MARTA rail and bus, ride-shares, and driving, although traffic and parking should be planned for carefully.

For anyone living in, visiting, or considering a move to Atlanta, Georgia, SCAD Atlanta is a major part of the city’s creative and educational landscape, particularly along the Peachtree corridor in Midtown.