Paula Wallace Knighted by France for Visionary Arts Leadership

NEW YORK, NY – February 12, 2026 – Paula Wallace, the founder and president of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), has been named a Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French Republic. The prestigious insignia was presented in a ceremony at the Villa Albertine headquarters in New York City on February 11, recognizing Wallace's profound and lasting impact on the cultural and artistic landscape of France.

This high civilian honor, bestowed by the French Ministry of Culture, celebrates individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the arts and literature. Mohamed Bouabdallah, Cultural Counselor of France in the U.S. and Director of Villa Albertine, presented the award.

"Through her visionary leadership and enduring dedication to creative education, historic preservation, and cultural exchange, Paula Wallace has made a lasting contribution to France's cultural landscape," Bouabdallah stated during the ceremony. "We are proud to recognize her as a distinguished steward of the arts and an essential partner in strengthening the cultural dialogue between France and the United States."

A Prestigious Honor for Cultural Enrichment

Established in 1957, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is one of France's most significant distinctions, intended to honor those who have helped to enrich French culture. The order has three grades—Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), and Commandeur (Commander)—with Chevalier being the introductory rank. The award is not limited to French citizens; it is frequently given to international figures who have promoted French culture abroad, placing Wallace in a global company of esteemed artists, writers, and cultural patrons.

Receipt of the knighthood signifies a formal acknowledgment by the French government of an individual's role in fostering artistic excellence and cultural exchange. For Wallace, it is a culmination of over two decades of dedicated work in France, primarily through the university's European campus in the medieval village of Lacoste.

The Transformation of Lacoste: A Bridge Across the Atlantic

At the heart of this recognition is Wallace's transformative influence on Lacoste, a historic village in the heart of Provence's Luberon Valley. Since the site was donated to the university in 2002, Wallace has spearheaded a monumental effort in historic preservation and adaptive reuse. Under her direction, SCAD has meticulously restored more than 50 historic buildings, some dating as far back as the 9th century. These ancient structures—from medieval caves to the former dwellings of the Marquis de Sade—have been thoughtfully reimagined as state-of-the-art studios, classrooms, galleries, libraries, and residences for students.

The university's approach has been lauded for its sensitivity to historical character while integrating modern academic needs. This revitalization has not only preserved the village's architectural heritage but has also breathed new life into its economy. Today, SCAD Lacoste is a vibrant cultural epicenter, attracting over 30,000 students and visitors annually and contributing tens of millions of Euros to the local economy each year.

In her acceptance, Wallace dedicated the honor to the broader SCAD community. "I am profoundly honored to receive this knighthood from the Republic of France, which honors the success of every SCAD student and graduate who's studied at SCAD Lacoste for more than a generation," she said. Wallace noted the many graduates who now contribute to France's economy at global brands like Hermès, Dior, and Ubisoft. "Our world's most talented and passionate creatives... have long been summoned to the idyllic, inspired hills and villages of Provence to flourish, and SCAD Lacoste has extended that tradition by transforming the entire village of Lacoste into an international destination for art and design."

A Legacy of Educational Innovation and Global Recognition

This French honor underscores a career defined by educational innovation and global ambition. Wallace founded the Savannah College of Art and Design in 1978 with a vision to create a professional university exclusively for the arts. Today, the institution is a global powerhouse, revered as a preeminent university for art, design, and entrepreneurship. It enrolls over 18,500 students from more than 100 countries across its campuses in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online through its SCADnow platform.

The university's success is validated by numerous independent accolades. The internationally acclaimed Red Dot Design Ranking has repeatedly named SCAD the No. 1 design university in the Americas and Europe. Similarly, Art & Object has ranked it the No. 1 art school in the United States. These rankings reflect a curriculum that is both rigorous and professionally focused, preparing a network of more than 55,000 alumni who now lead creative teams at world-renowned companies from Apple to NASA.

A Career Adorned with International Accolades

The Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is the latest in a series of major honors recognizing Wallace's contributions to culture and education. In 2025, she was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor in the United States, for performing exemplary deeds of service. The White House cited her as a "lifelong educator and trailblazer of the arts."

Her connection to France has been previously celebrated with the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques in 2005, one of the French Republic's oldest honors for distinguished service in education, and the Medal of the State of Vaucluse in 2022.

Wallace's vision extends to making art accessible to the public. She has led the creation of four teaching museums on two continents, including SCAD FASH Lacoste and the Musée SCAD Lacoste, which opened in 2025 as a living chronicle of the region's history. She has also launched a portfolio of signature events, including the SCAD Savannah Film Festival and SCAD Fashion, that provide students with direct access to industry leaders while engaging global audiences. Through these platforms, she has hosted many of France's leading creative voices, further cementing the university's role as a vital conduit for international cultural exchange.