(April 27, 2013) DETROIT — The College for Creative Studies (CCS) announced today that Ford Motor Company Fund will donate $1 million over five years, strengthening its commitment to one of the world's leading art and design colleges and providing educational opportunities to Detroit youth. 

The funds are being used to establish the Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies (HFA: SCS) College and Career Transitions Office at CCS, as well as start a Ford Blue Oval Scholarship fund at CCS for graduates of HFA: SCS to attend CCS.

HFA: SCS is the public charter middle and high school created as a partnership between CCS and Henry Ford Learning Institute (HFLI), with support from the Bob and Ellen Thompson Educational Foundation.  HFA: SCS, which is located inside the CCS A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education, will graduate its first high school senior class this year.

"These two unique institutions in downtown Detroit share a commitment to the education of promising students for a vibrant creative economy future," said Jim Farley, executive vice president, Ford Global Marketing and Sales and Lincoln, and a member of the CCS Board of Trustees.  "Ford Fund's assistance will maximize their impact and support for a population that is traditionally underrepresented in art and design professions."

"We are delighted with Ford Fund's generous gift which provides the resources to work more closely with Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies," said Richard L. Rogers, president of the College for Creative Studies.  "I look forward to welcoming new HFA: SCS graduates to CCS next year as part of our mission to bolster the creative economy in Detroit."

Ford Fund's donation is a continuation of Ford's commitment to art and design education. In October 2012, Ford established an automotive design club which gives HFA: SCS students the opportunity to learn transportation design skills from Ford designers, their teachers and CCS Transportation Design students.

Ford also works with CCS on a number of Corporate Sponsored Research Projects. Most recently, Ford partnered with CCS Transportation Design students to design projects that respond to trends in urban mobility.  Corporate Sponsored Research Projects at CCS allow students the opportunity to gain real-life experience through working with industry to solve art and design challenges.

The College and Career Transitions office allows HFA: SCS and CCS to more fully realize the shared goal of providing traditionally underserved youth with access to post-secondary education opportunities.

About College for Creative Studies
Located in the heart of Detroit, the College for Creative Studies (CCS) educates artists and designers to be leaders in creative professions. A private, fully accredited college, CCS enrolls more than 1,400 students pursuing Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees.