School of the Art Institute of Chicago

School of the Art Institute of Chicago – Commencement & Academic Regalia Summary

SAIC holds an annual Commencement ceremony for its graduating students, celebrating more than 150 years of artistic and academic heritage. The event is typically held at Wintrust Arena, where the graduating class gathers together with faculty and family in a communal celebration.

Unlike many colleges and universities, SAIC does not require a graduation gown, cap, or tassel for participation in the Commencement ceremony. Graduates are invited to “dress as they feel appropriate,” embracing personal style and creative expression — a nod to the school’s art‑centered, individualistic ethos.

For students who prefer to wear formal regalia, SAIC offers the option to order a cap and gown through a vendor (e.g. Herff Jones). Students must place orders by the school’s published deadline to have the regalia delivered.

Historically — in SAIC’s earlier years — graduates did wear official regalia, in the school’s colors of “scarlet and buff.” However, such color‑coded gowns are no longer mandated, and no current publicly available handbook, PDF, or School‑contract outlines a standardized color scheme for graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cord, stole, or academic hood according to degree or discipline.

As a result, there is no publicly documented standard for honor cords, stoles, or discipline‑based academic regalia colors at SAIC. Any cords, stoles, or decorated caps seen during Commencement are personal or student‑led expressions — not institutionally regulated or color‑coded under SAIC policy.

In summary: SAIC’s Commencement is a celebration of individuality and artistic identity. Cap and gown are optional; graduates may choose to wear traditional academic regalia, but there is no enforced “graduation gown color,” official tassel color, or standardized honor‑cord/stole palette. Regalia remains flexible — chosen by the student rather than mandated by SAIC.

SAIC Academic Regalia – Cap & Gown Set (Optional)

• Mortarboard cap and graduation gown — optional attire for School of the Art Institute of Chicago Commencement participants
• Neutral gown and cap styling — no official SAIC gown‑color requirement as per public commencement policy
• Tassel included — customizable color at buyer’s discretion; not defined by SAIC publicly
• Optional cords, stoles or accessories can be added — since SAIC does not provide standardized honor‑cord or stole colors
• Perfect for SAIC graduates who want a classic academic‑regalia look for graduation photos or celebrations
• Important: As SAIC does not maintain a public color‑chart for academic regalia by major, honors, or degree level, any special cords or stoles are considered personalization rather than official “institutional colors.”

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at School of the Art Institute of Chicago , you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.