Lacoste

For 20 years, SCAD Lacoste has welcomed internationally renowned luminaries and intrepid students to explore its exquisitely conserved architectural treasures— some dating back to the ninth century—that are now part of a modern outpost for the premier university for art and design education. From this study-abroad destination in southern France, new enrollees, students, and alumni alike add an international perspective to their practice and launch globetrotting careers.

Prior to starting their SCAD education, all students are offered the opportunity to visit Lacoste through Pre-Bee, a weeklong introduction to academic expectations and life at SCAD combined with a journey through the region once trod by Monet, van Gogh, and Picasso. As a studyabroad location, Lacoste invites students to seamlessly continue their SCAD degrees as they make unforgettable memories. Courses vary each quarter, with offerings in areas such as advertising and branding, animation, art history, fashion, film and television, interior design, painting, and photography. Students also have the opportunity to participate in Lacoste-based SCADpro assignments and connect with companies throughout Europe. After graduating, SCAD alumni are offered the opportunity to return to the region during Après SCAD, an exclusive professional development retreat, or to complete an artist’s ambassadorship and residency in the SCAD Alumni Atelier. While the Luberon Valley and its rolling fields of lavender form a resplendent backdrop to the village, digitally connected classrooms and a library ensure students and alumni stay tapped into their studies or their work as they enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Beyond these experiences, a slate of year-round programming has made Lacoste and the surrounding Luberon Valley an international destination for art, fashion, film, and more. SCAD FASH Lacoste has hosted sweeping retrospectives of fashion designers including Pierre Cardin and Isabel Toledo, while SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste and the SCAD Lacoste Film Festival celebrate both the region and country's contributions to the screen.

Ancient stone streets and historic buildings welcome students to SCAD Lacoste.

SCAD Lacoste welcomes distinguished guests like artist Ruben Toledo for special events, museum exhibitions, and classroom visits with SCAD study abroad students.

Studying at SCAD Lacoste was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Provence is known for the artists who came here to paint this valley, and now we're part of that history, too. PHILLIP KOCH

Photo editor and production coordinator, SCOUT Bags SCAD B.F.A., fashion marketing and management, 2020 Falls Church, Virginia

John Malkovich Actor and designer

Ilse Crawford Interior and furniture designer

Bibhu Mohapatra Fashion designer

Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters CFDA/Vogue Fashion Award recipients

Genevieve Gorder Interior designer and television host

Lynn Yaeger Vogue contributing editor

Jamie Beck Photographer and social media influencer Ruben Toledo Artist

SCAD Lacoste is home base for SCAD Alumni Atelier ambassador William Ruller (Eugene, Oregon).

SCAD Lacoste and its surroundings offer a bounty of breathtaking views.