GM Foundation Grants $2.5 Million to Art and Design College

DETROIT, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The General Motors Foundation today announced a $2.5-million donation to the College for Creative Studies (CCS), strengthening a longstanding commitment to the world's leading educator of automotive designers.

CCS, a world-class school for art and design education located in the heart of the city, is an economic engine and leading supplier of creative talent in Michigan. The foundation's grant will support the ongoing $145-million redevelopment of the college's A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education.

"The quality of young designers that CCS educates and trains is a tremendous resource for Detroit and the world," said GM North America President and GM Foundation board member Mark Reuss. "Working to strengthen CCS is critical in our attempts to help Detroit rebound economically and for us to win in the marketplace."

In 2008, GM donated the former Argonaut building, workplace for industry pioneers such as Charles F. Kettering and GM's first design chief, Harley Earl, to CCS. A national historic landmark, its design and construction was directed by legendary GM Chairman and CEO Alfred P. Sloan.  

In 2009, CCS opened the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education, a $145-million integrated educational and creative community focused on art and design that extends from middle school through graduate school and into professional development.  

"In addition to developing world-class creative talent, the project is generating 200 jobs, bringing 2,000 people a day and creating a bustling ambience to Midtown, adding to this area's renewed vitality," said College for Creative Studies President Richard L. Rogers.

Rogers said CCS trustees, private foundations, corporations and hundreds of individuals have donated more than $50 million to the project.  At least $4 million more is needed to keep the redevelopment on track

GM and The GM Foundation also support CCS through development of the Transportation Design curriculum, and GM designers teach and mentor project leaders. Through the Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education (PACE), GM donates software integral to transportation design as well as helping students gain proficiency with industry tools.

As part of the day's announcements, the CCS Board of Trustees dedicated the General Motors Auditorium, located on the top floor of the Taubman Center building and the onetime home of GM's headquarters for its Design and Photographic Departments.

"It is gratifying to see that the GM Auditorium space has come full circle," said Ed Welburn, GM vice president for Global Design and member of the CCS Board of Trustees. "There were no formal colleges dedicated to automotive design in the 1920s and '30s, so Harley Earl established the industry's first transportation design school on the 11th floor of the Argonaut Building. Over time, it produced some of the world's top automotive designers. Now, the space is helping young people reach their potential, and has become a training ground for the 21st Century."

About the GM Foundation

Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to deserving American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates.  Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/corporate/responsibility/community.

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 202,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 30 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM's largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Italy. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com

About College for Creative Studies

College for Creative Studies (CCS) is an integrated learning community located in Detroit. A private, fully accredited college, CCS enrolls nearly 1,400 students pursuing Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. CCS also offers visual art opportunities for learners of all ages through its Community Arts Partnerships and Continuing Education programs. The Advancing the Creative Spirit campaign enables CCS to provide a world-class art and design curriculum and innovative programming. The $55 million campaign has raised more than $50 million to date, and the College is working hard to keep its promise to the community. For more information, visit www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/about

SOURCE General Motors