Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) is a school for art and design located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The school was started in 1928 as a private art academy. In 2000, it joined with Ferris State University. KCAD offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in design, visual arts, decorative arts, art history, and critical theory. It is approved by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Academics and rankings

According to U.S. News & World Report, KCAD's Master of Fine Arts program in Studio Art is ranked #110 in the United States. This ranking is shared with programs at California State University, Chico, and California State University, Long Beach.

The college's main program is its four-year undergraduate degree. This program includes general-education courses, basic courses that all students take, and specialized courses focused on specific areas of study. These specialized courses often include a strong focus on studio work. Kendall offers degrees in: Art History: Studio (BA), Art History: Academic (BA), Art History (AA), Collaborative Design (BFA), Design Studies (AFA), Digital Art and Design: Entertainment Arts (BFA), Digital Art and Design: Multimedia Design (BFA), Drawing (BFA), Fashion Studies (BFA), Graphic Design (BFA), Illustration (BFA), Interior Design (BFA), Life Sciences and Pre-Medical Illustration (BFA), Painting (BFA), Photography (BFA), Product Design: Furniture Design (BFA), Product Design: Industrial Design (BFA), Product Design: Metals/Jewelry Design (BFA), and Sculpture/Functional Art (BFA). In Spring 2022, the college had 562 students enrolled.

Kendall also offers graduate programs in several areas, including Architecture (MArch), Certificate in Design and Innovation Management (MBA), Painting (MFA), Visual and Critical Studies (Certificate), and Design (MA).

The college provides dual-enrollment programs with several local high schools. These programs allow students to earn credit for both high school and college courses. Classes are taught either on Kendall's campus or at high schools.

History

David Wolcott Kendall was a famous furniture designer during Grand Rapids' most successful period as "Furniture City." The David Wolcott Memorial School was created in 1928 by Helen M. Kendall, his wife, as stated in her will. The school opened in 1931 and provided a two-year design program for 35 students. It was located at 145 Fountain Street, on the western edge of what is now called Heritage Hill.

In 1947, the school's name changed to Kendall School of Design because more students joined after World War 2. In 1961, the school moved to 1110 College Avenue NE in the Highland Park neighborhood after outgrowing its old location. In 1977, the school began offering four-year college degrees, and in 1981, it received official approval from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. In 1984, the school moved again to the seven-story Manufacturer's Building at 111 Division Avenue North, near the corner of Fountain Street, close to its original site.

In 1987, the school’s name changed to Kendall College of Art and Design. After merging with Ferris State University in the 1990s, the college purchased the nearby Interstate Building and built an atrium that became the main entrance at 17 Fountain Street NW. In 2000, the school was officially named Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. The new space was continuously improved for studios and classrooms. After the Grand Rapids Art Museum left the Federal Building to the north, the university took ownership of it and reopened it as the Woodbridge N. Ferris Building in 2012 as part of the Kendall campus. In 2013, the college merged with the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, which had recently moved to a new facility a few blocks south. The institute operated as an arts organization until it closed on March 3, 2023.

Facilities

The college is located in two old buildings in downtown Grand Rapids, between Division and Ionia Avenues, and between Fountain and Lyon Streets. The main building has seven floors and includes most of the college's classrooms, studios, and offices. The Woodbridge N. Ferris Building has exhibition areas, more classrooms, and offices.

Facilities include black-and-white darkrooms, photo studios, a library, art galleries, an old furniture collection, wood and metal shops for making sculptures, a studio for creating jewelry and metal art, tools like large inkjet printers, laser engraving and cutting machines, 3D scanners, 3D printers, computer-controlled machines for shaping materials, printmaking tools, life drawing rooms, sound recording booths, and spaces for students to work.

Notable alumni

• Ray C. Anderson is the founder and chairman of Interface Inc., one of the largest makers of modular carpet used in offices and homes, and one of the top producers of office and home carpets and fabrics.
• Ted Bell is an American writer who creates suspense novels such as Hawke, Assassin, Pirate, Spy, Warlord, Phantom, and Overkill.
• Børns is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who worked on a song called God Save Our Young Blood with Lana Del Rey.
• Denise Fleming is an illustrator who creates pictures for children’s books.
• Rebecca Green is an artist and illustrator who makes pictures for children’s books.
• Vladimir Kagan is an American designer who creates furniture.
• Maynard James Keenan is the lead singer and main lyricist for the rock bands Tool and A Perfect Circle.
• Laurie Keller is an American writer and illustrator who creates books for children.
• Steven Kolb is the chief executive officer of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
• Daniel Morris Monroe is an American illustrator who created the picture book Dennis the Wild Bull, which was written by Dennis Rodman.
• Keith Parkinson is an American fantasy artist and illustrator who designed covers and artwork for books and games such as EverQuest, Guardians, and Magic: The Gathering.
• Reynold Weidenaar is an American draftsman and printmaker.