Welcome to the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center at Parsons The New School for Design. This important new campus center for Parsons The New School for Design was made possible through the support of Sheila C. Johnson, whose $7 million gift was one of the largest in the university's history. As both a trustee for five years and now chair of the Parsons Board of Governors, Sheila has been a strong and vocal advocate for our students' needs. It was her vision to create a space where students, faculty and the general public could come together to expand their knowledge of art and design. A space where they can learn how design can, in her words, “bridge gaps between nations and improve lives around the world.” 

This new Center represents the first step in an ambitious planning process currently underway at The New School. We are committed to preparing our students to address some of the most important issues of this new century-from globalization to the environment. We are moving ahead to create new programs that will bring together our strengths in design, the social sciences, the liberal arts, and other disciplines. This includes new programs in Environmental Studies, Media and International Affairs.

We welcome you to visit the Johnson Design Center to experience the dialogue that is central to a New School education. Through exhibitions, public programs, collaborative projects, and opportunities for informal interaction, our students, faculty and the general public will gain a deeper understanding of art and design in the world today.