Southern Polytechnic State University and High Museum of Art Form a Unique Alliance

First academic affiliation with University System of Georgia institution

MARIETTA, Ga., May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) has established a unique affiliation with the High Museum of Art in Atlanta that will give students and faculty access to the museum's exhibitions, collections and programs.  

"I'm happy to note that we are the first University System of Georgia institution to have such an affiliation," said Dr. Zvi Szafran, vice president for academic affairs.  

He cited the following benefits to the university:  

• Faculty members will be able to take their classes on field trips to the museum at no cost to the students or faculty members.  
• Students can visit the High Museum of Art free of charge at any time by showing their SPSU ID; faculty members will receive a discount with ID on daily tickets and on individual, dual or family memberships.
• The museum will conduct two SPSU campus lectures or programs per year at SPSU and will provide faculty members and students with access to visiting artists and scholars.  
• The museum will provide internships in Collections and Exhibitions, Education, Marketing and Communications, or Advancement for up to two undergraduate students per year (one per semester).  
• The museum will host an SPSU event each year. The first one will take place on June 8, when participants of the Polytechnic Summit will tour the "Modern by Design" exhibition of work from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) just days after it opens at the High Museum of Art.  

"This partnership truly allows for the integration of the visual arts into the educational curriculum of SPSU," added Dr. Szafran.

Aside from gaining interns, the museum will also benefit in another way from the expertise available at SPSU.  A few select students in SPSU's mechatronics program with training in robotics are assisting with the installation and maintenance of one of the pieces in the MoMA exhibition. "Digital Matter" is a major work of art by iconic Dutch designer Joris Laarman. This kinetic installation features a robot that will construct, disassemble and reconstruct a piece of furniture over an extended period of time.  

"Our affiliation with the High Museum of Art is a win-win," said Dr. Szafran.  "Both institutions benefit from each others' unique strengths.  We're expecting that many interesting collaborations will result from this alliance.

Southern Polytechnic State University is a residential, co-educational member of the University System of Georgia with approximately 5,500 students who study on the 198 acres of naturally wooded landscape in the historic and vibrant city of Marietta (just 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta).

SOURCE Southern Polytechnic State University