Message from the Dean

Welcome to the online home for the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts – a thriving community of artists, architects, designers, curators, and scholars. We have deep roots in rigorous practice-based academic programs and a unique structure that allows for innovative collaborations and interdisciplinary partnerships. Our graduates are known for their sharp critical thinking skills, iterative problem solving, and deep passion for moving the world forward through art and design.

As you explore our school virtually, I’d like to call out a few points of pride. I am excited about the student work featured across our site—this is the heart of what we do and how we make an impact around us. I hope you will take some time to engage with the wide range of projects showcased from each of our programs. The site also provides rich opportunities to get to know our leaders, faculty, staff, and alumni and to experience their inspiring stories and achievements. Collectively, the members of our community showcase the excellence we strive for as a school and demonstrate the power of our professions.

I would also like to call attention to our strategic plan, Shaping the Future, which is driving investments in three critical areas: Digital Transformation, Sustainable Practices, and Strengthening Communities. As we lean into these top priorities, we know that no one field or discipline can move the needle alone. We are building partnerships with schools, departments, and research centers across Washington University and beyond to harness the power of art and design as we address society’s pressing challenges.

As you explore the Sam Fox School online, I hope you will get a sense for our beautiful home in St. Louis, including open studios, cutting edge technology, ample facilities for teaching and learning, and welcoming spaces for connecting and gathering. Located at the “front door” of the University’s Danforth Campus, the Sam Fox School is a bridge to the community with an ongoing series of public programs, including lectures and exhibitions, featuring some of the today’s most innovative creative thinkers. I invite you to visit us to experience all that the Sam Fox School and this vibrant city has to offer—or take a tour of our facilities online. We look forward to welcoming you—in person or virtually—to this exceptional place.