The Savannah College of Art and Design has partnered with musician Jon Batiste to launch a new Bachelor of Fine Arts in vocal performance — the college's first audition-only degree. Announced on 1 September 2026, the programme will welcome its inaugural class this fall, with Batiste serving as founding director. The degree is designed for performers moving across music, stage, film and television, reflecting how the entertainment industry now expects artists to work across platforms.