PRESS AND MARKETING KIT
MISSION AND VISION The American College of the Building Arts (ACBA) educates and trains artisans in the traditional building arts to foster exceptional craftsmanship and encourage the preservation, enrichment and understanding of the world’s architectural heritage through a liberal arts education. Established in 2004, ACBA was designed to address the need for skilled artisans trained in traditional building methods. Our students are trained in one of six craft specializations: architectural stonework, carpentry, forged architectural ironwork, preservation masonry, plaster working, and timber framing. ACBA is in the unique position of producing students fluent in the building arts who are able to communicate effectively with historians, architects, and engineers. Their skill sets will ensure the integrity of the built environment in cities across the country and around the world far into the future. The time-tested building methods taught at ACBA lead to solid structures that can better withstand natural disasters and sustained environmental pressures.
In order to fulfill its unique mission, ACBA has the following goals: To achieve national status as an institution integral to preservation and sustainable building practices. To serve, both nationally and internationally, as skilled stewards of historic buildings through well executed traditional building practices appropriate to each structure and the environment. To offer a comprehensive educational program that embodies the apprenticeship model while also providing a quality academic education. To effectively increase the quality and number of master craft specialists throughout the United States in the major building trades. To elevate the position of skilled artisans trained in the building arts in the United States, reawakening respect for work that has been greatly devalued in recent times.
2012-2013 Student Body Snapshot Total Enrollment: 47
Class of 2016: 23
20 states represented including: Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky , Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee ,Texas, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
ACBA’s curriculum, together with its mature and dedicated students, appears to be its greatest strength. Integration across courses, skill of faculty as teachers and artisans, and the intimate teaching and learning environment together provide a powerful learning experience. - National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
I cannot imagine the sense of pride and fulfillment that a craftsman has upon completion of a job and watching the client’s response to what has been made/renovated/remodeled. I yearn to have that feeling from my everyday job. - Freshman, Class of 2016 ACBA will be Charleston’s gift to America. - Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley
Local and National Media Coverage Including:
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Pierre Manigault, Chair John Howard Williams, Vice Chair/Interim Secretary
Margaret Hawk O’Brien, Secretary/Chair of Finance
Kenneth Canty, Chair of Academic and Student Affairs
John LaVerne, Chair of Facilities
Mary Scott Guest
Johanna Martin-Carrington
Armstead Bert Pruitt, Jr., MD
Stephen Ziff
ADMINISTRATION LTG (R) Colby M. Broadwater III, President
Simeon Warren, Dean of the College, Professor of Architectural Stone Carving
James M. Waddell, Vice President of Operations and Finance
Kerri Forrest, Director of Institutional Advancement
Ginna Waddell, Director of Finance
Margaret Lucas Dieter Adams, Director of Recruitment
For More Information about ACBA: Online: http://www.buildingartscollege.us
Facebook: www.facebook.com/supportACBA
Call: (843) 577-5245
Twitter: @ACBACharleston
Downtown Campus:
James Island Campus
21 Magazine Street
1725 Signal Point Road
Charleston, SC 29401
Charleston, SC 29412
Press Contacts: Academics, Administration or Programs Kerri Forrest, Director of Institutional Advancement (843) 266-7845
forrestk@buildingartscollege.us
Special Events
Community Projects and Partnerships
Patrick Guglielmo, Development Officer, Special Events
Steve Hanson, Development Officer, Special Projects
(843) 266-7847
(843) 266-7843
guglielmop@buildingartscollege.us
hansons@buildingartscollege.us
To access our press archive, go to the ACBA page at http://issuu.com/buildingartscollege