Georgia Institute of Technology has announced the establishment of a groundbreaking School of Arts, Entertainment, and Creative Technologies, along with a corresponding Bachelor of Science degree program. The new school, set to begin enrolling students in Fall 2026, is designed to prepare future leaders in the rapidly expanding film, gaming, immersive media, and music industries.

The School and degree program will be housed within Georgia Tech's College of Design and will offer experiential, industry-relevant learning opportunities. Students will participate in studio-based courses, comprehensive capstone projects, and collaborative partnerships with creative studios and technology companies. The interdisciplinary curriculum will incorporate new core classes while drawing from the expertise of all seven of Georgia Tech's colleges, building upon the institution's existing strengths in arts, literature, music technology, and digital media.

"The College of Design is the home for Georgia Tech students who are as driven to be creative as they are to build new technologies and think like engineers," said Ellen Bassett, dean and John Portman Chair in the College of Design. "This new School and bachelor's degree give students the most creative option in the state of Georgia for combining those talents into viable, thriving careers. Georgia Tech is truly pioneering this kind of creative technology field of study."

The timing of this initiative aligns with Georgia's remarkable growth in creative industries. Between 2008 and 2019, the state's creative sectors expanded by 210 percent, generating $14.7 billion in annual revenue and employing over 40,000 Georgians. Georgia currently ranks number one nationally in film production and continues to experience rapid growth in immersive media and media entrepreneurship.

This announcement follows the recent unveiling of the Creative Quarter, a planned innovation district on the west side of Georgia Tech's campus that will serve as an arts and entertainment hub for Atlanta. Georgia Tech's established strengths in design, computing, engineering, and entrepreneurship position the institution to become a key driver of innovation in these creative industries.

The degree program received approval from the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia on Tuesday, August 12, marking a significant milestone in the institution's commitment to bridging technology and creativity. With its comprehensive approach to creative technology education, Georgia Tech aims to meet the growing demand for professionals who can seamlessly integrate artistic vision with technological innovation in today's evolving entertainment landscape.