ABOUT
Like many colleges and universities across the nation, KCAD made the difficult decision to delay many of its Commencement related activities and events this spring to protect the health and safety of our campus community and guests in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While there is no replacement for seeing art and design in person, without the ability to gather in a physical space, it seemed natural to develop an online platform to showcase the amazing work of KCAD’s 2020 graduates.
This website presents KCAD’s Annual Student Exhibition in three galleries: the Master's Thesis Exhibition, Excellence Awards Exhibition, and Undergraduate
Senior Exhibition. Comment sections are included for each exhibition, and we welcome guests to take a few moments to share some words of encouragement.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the mission of KCAD: preparing students for leadership in design, the visual arts, and art history; providing innovative, collaborative education that fosters intellectual growth and individual creativity; and promoting the ethical and civic responsibilities of artists and designers, locally, and globally.
Our students are the heart of the KCAD campus community. And as we prepare to honor and celebrate our 2020 graduates, it is important to acknowledge that their work is far from over. Now more than ever, the versatility, empathy, and problem-solving skills our graduates carry out into the world as creative leaders is vital to our collective ability to meet the challenges before us. For that I am and will continue to be #kcadproud!
Traditionally, we celebrate our student achievements in the spring through an on-campus exhibition. This year, in response to COVID-19, we have transitioned our Master’s Thesis, Excellence Awards, and Undergraduate Senior Exhibitions online.
Each of these exhibitions showcase the amazing work that our students have brought to life during their time at KCAD, and together represent the depth and breadth of the learning that happens in our studios, labs, and classrooms. I invite you to explore this work, to revel in its beauty, and to immerse yourself in the emotion and introspection creativity inspires. And in doing so, I hope that you take time to congratulate our students on this milestone accomplishment.
Know that ours is a story that’s always unfolding.
Enjoy!
Tara McCrackin
President
Dear 2020 Graduates,
I want to acknowledge all you’ve done—all your hard work, creativity, and ingenuity. Because of all the times you felt uncertain and persevered (in the face of challenge), the countless questions you asked and your relentless pursuit of the answers, and the times you opted to dream and to dare rather than embrace the expected, you are the embodiment of KCAD greatness. This is the time of year we would ordinarily celebrate your accomplishments with a campus-wide exhibition. But of course, these times are not ordinary. I want you to know that you are not ordinary either; you are KCAD and you are extraordinary.
So, as you embrace what lies ahead remember all you did to get where you are today. You have succeeded, even when you doubted yourself. This collection of your work serves as an antidote to doubt and a testament to your ability. I could not be prouder of you nor more honored to serve KCAD as Dean of Academic Affairs. KCAD is an extraordinary school, not because of what we say, but because of what you do.
Stephen Halko
Dean of Academic Affairs