Parsons School of Design at The New School and the top-rated design school in the United States, will send several panelists to the 2023 SXSW EDU Conference & Festival this March to shed light on an education model with the potential to transform K-12 and higher education at the same time. The Parsons panelists — along with educators from Newark School of Fashion and Design (NSFD), a premier vocational high school in New Jersey — will discuss a revolutionary partnership between the two schools that is breaking down barriers to design education, giving students marketable skills within the modern creative economy, and inspiring them to take control of their professional journeys.
“Having Parsons by our side to customize our curriculum and support our students and faculty with other resources has been a game-changer for opening new doors of possibilities,” said Sakina Pitts, principal of NSFD. “I think the success we’ve seen in terms of student achievement makes this a model that needs to be taken seriously on a national level as we reform the education system.”
Alarmed by the persistent disruption of the pandemic, school districts across the country are searching for innovative ways to close learning gaps, foster engagement, and prepare students to compete in rapidly shifting industries. As one of the most widely-known events in education, with diverse audiences including students, teachers, administrators, and business leaders, the annual SXSW EDU Conference & Festival presents an ideal occasion for Parsons and NSFD to raise awareness of their collaboration.
“We’re so proud of what the students and teachers at Newark School of Fashion and Design are doing right now,” said Debbie Gibb, Senior Managing Director at N Ventures, the partnership management arm of The New School. “With a curriculum, access to industry opportunities, and faculty input from Parsons, our high school partnership has unleashed the talent of these young designers.”
The NSFD partnership is just one of many that the University, through N Ventures, is exploring in an effort to expand access to high-quality design education, products, and experiences. Schools, organizations, and individuals interested in beginning a partnership may do so by contacting N Ventures: https://www.nventures.newschool.edu/contact-us.
The Parsons and NSFD session at the SXSW EDU conference, “Foster Diversity with HiEd & K-12 Collaborations,” will be held on March 6th. Learn more about the upcoming session here: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/128447.
About Parsons School of Design
Parsons School of Design at The New School is one of the leading institutions for art and design education in the world. Based in New York but active around the world, the school offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the full spectrum of art and design disciplines, as well as online courses, degree and certificate programs. Critical thinking and collaboration are at the heart of a Parsons education. Parsons graduates are leaders in their respective fields, with a shared commitment to creatively and critically addressing the complexities of life in the 21st century.
About SXSW EDU
The SXSW EDU® Conference & Festival is a reflection of the world’s most critical social issues as seen through the lens of education. This year’s event will bring together the learner, the practitioner, the entrepreneur, and the visionary to share their groundbreaking stories, tackle complex issues, and build reimagined paths forward. As a community of diverse people who are united around a like-minded vision for the future, SXSW EDU serves as a place for attendees to renew their purpose in practice from both a personal and professional perspective. It is a place to reinforce the core principles of teaching and learning as well as an opportunity to express your creativity and passion for education. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® family of conferences and festivals that has grown from 800 to over 8,000 registrants in the last decade. Join the passionate and innovative community at SXSW EDU, March 6-9, 2023.