Savannah

The creative culture in Savannah, Georgia, is breathing new life into the Old South.

- Kelly Carper

Founded in 1733, Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and a designated National Historic Landmark for its unique layout around central city squares. These “green spaces,” shaded by towering oak trees and surrounded by 19th-century architecture, give Savannah a soothing aesthetic unlike anywhere else in the South—or even the country. Trolley cars and horse-drawn carriages wind through the city, which is also refreshingly walkable, as drivers educate visitors on Savannah’s significant history, pointing out sites such as the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, Telfair Academy or the iconic fountain at Forsyth Park.

But the “Hostess City” holds more than quaint cobblestone streets and hospitable folks. In Savannah, there is a new South to discover—one where cutting edge art and modern innovation mingle with the city’s antebellum architecture and classic charm. Behind Savannah’s quintessential Southern façade is a burgeoning contemporary art scene, discoverable through local artist studios, o‘ -the-path galleries and the city’s newest museums.

Playing the largest role in this cultural renaissance is the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), which propels Savannah forward while remaining deeply connected to the city’s historic roots. More than an art school, SCAD is the “university for creative careers,” o‘ ering areas of study that range from immersive reality and motion media to fashion design, film, painting—and everything in between. But you don’t have to be a student to benefit from SCAD’s programming, which draws some of the nation’s top artists and arts professionals to the city for events, panels, workshops and presentations.