CREATORS AT HEART, ARTISTS TO
The CSU Arts Campus flourishes in the heart of Playhouse Square, the nation’s largest performing arts center outside of New York City. It features 120,000+ square feet of studios, rehearsal space, classrooms and production shops with faculty from the top arts institutions in town, including the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Our Arts Campus houses some of the most extensive undergraduate theatre and dance facilities in the nation, and we work alongside the Tony Award-winning Cleveland Play House, America’s first professional regional theater.
Expanding our artistry and pursuing dreams is part of the curriculum. Together, we push each other to be our best, embrace our talents and step confidently into the future as professionals. WE ARE CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY, AND THIS IS OUR ARTS CAMPUS.
HEART, OUR SOULS
Cleveland is Our Campus
FEEL INSPIRED BY THE ENERGY OF THE CITY, ITS PEOPLE AND OPPORTUNITIES. Shop with the city’s award-winning chefs at the West Side Market, grab ice cream at Mason’s Creamery in the eclectic Ohio City neighborhood, cheer on the Browns in the Dawg Pound, head out for dinner in Little Italy, stroll through the Museum of Contemporary Art, paddleboard on Lake Erie and see national Broadway touring productions such as “Hamilton” and “Wicked” at Playhouse Square—ALL RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR!
csuohio.edu/visit
School of Film & Media Arts
We are FILMMAKERS ON THE RISE . We have worked on films like “White Noise” and the upcoming Superman movie right here in Cleveland’s versatile cityscape. CSU’s School of Film & Media Arts—OHIO’S FIRST STAND-ALONE FILM SCHOOL—inspires us to connect with the city and bring our own visions to life. We start making films and telling stories within our first year, guided by an encouraging faculty of industry professionals . The intensive project-based curriculum and dynamic collaborative environment quickly engages us as we work toward building a full spectrum of technical and creative skills. And our film club was voted the best club on campus! artsandsciences.csuohio.edu/film
Majors
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Flexible approach with a creative, hands-on curriculum
Bachelor of Fine Arts* (B.F.A.)
Students choose two concentrations for focused coursework and specialization:
» Cinematography
» Directing
» Editing
» Producing
» Screenwriting
» Sound
» Visual Effects
*Students are required to complete 12 prerequisite credits with a 2.5+ GPA prior to starting the BFA program.
Minor International Film
GREATER CLEVELAND FILM COMMISSION (GCFC)
A direct pipeline to work on major motion pictures filming in Cleveland
120+ NEO PRODUCTION COMPANIES
For student internship opportunities
$2M+ EQUIPMENT CAGE
Industry grade production equipment
SPECIALIZED SPACES
Sound-proof production studios, television control room, live 3-camera studio, audio suite and screening room
ODYSSEY PROGRAM
For young filmmakers aged 13–18 csuohio.edu/odyssey
STORYTELLERS STORYTELLERS
Aaron Connor, B.F.A., Class of ‘23 Screenwriting and Producing
The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) is less than 100 feet away from our [CSU’s] front door. I was lucky enough to have my thesis film in CIFF this year and it’s just such a great way to really expose your work to a much broader, national community of filmmakers.
I’ve had so many opportunities to create projects and work with other wonderful, creative students and those opportunities led to wonderful ways to get my work out there. I’ve screened in Los Angeles twice now. I have a Telly. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without Cleveland State, and I’m very grateful to the program here for giving me all these chances to really create and just, you know, be a filmmaker.
School of Music
We are INSPIRED PERFORMERS who study with some of the finest musicians in the world: The Cleveland Orchestra, Playhouse Square Theatre Orchestra, Akron Symphony, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, a Grammy award-winning pianist and so many more.
We receive a comprehensive education in music at the undergraduate and graduate levels so we can elevate our music from proficient to professional. Whether you’re a performer, composer or educator, CSU’s program includes tons of opportunities to fine tune your craft from concerts and recitals to seminars and workshops for the campus community and Northeast Ohio. artsandsciences.csuohio.edu/music
TRANSCENDENT TRANSCENDENT
Majors
Bachelor of Music (B.Mu.)
» Composition
» Music Education
» Performance
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Minor Music Certificate
» Professional Studies in Music Performance
Programs current as of July 24, 2024. Subject to change.
PERFORMANCE HALLS
Waetjen Auditorium and Drinko Recital Hall
SPECIALIZED SPACES
Chamber music rehearsal rooms, electronic music labs and individual sound-proof practice rooms
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
For music and non-music major ensemble participants
MEANINGFUL COLLABORATIONS
We partner with the College of Health to provide core music classes, applied lessons and traditional ensembles for Music Therapy majors health.csuohio.edu/music-therapy
VISIONARY VISIONARY WE ARE
Studio Art major, Class of 2025
The professors [at CSU] helped me grow as an artist. They know what I’m really good at, and they help me and encourage me to go further in my artwork. Each project helped bring out my true talent.
The guidance and effort she’s put into her work has paid off in exciting ways. Her artwork has been on display in the Theatre Arts building, CSU President Bloomberg’s office and the Bonfoey Gallery in downtown Cleveland. And she’s earned a spot with ArtBound Initiative, an internship program in Chicago, Illinois.
Leehana Vernet-Vinson
VISIONARY VISIONARY
Department of Art and Design
We are a COMMUNITY OF ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS . Together we explore techniques, media, composition and culture. CSU’s faculty of professional artists, designers and researchers help us develop our craft and create portfolios that speak to our passion and professionalism. We have access to a darkroom, a printmaking studio, light-filled studios for painting and drawing, a sculpture facility to work with ceramics, metal and wood, and computer labs. We connect through our student chapter of AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Artists) and SOFA (Student Organization of Fine Arts), and partnerships with local organizations, such as Collective Arts Network, provide pre-professional growth, internships and career networking opportunities. artsandsciences.csuohio.edu/art
ANNUAL STUDENT ART SHOW AND MERIT SCHOLAR EXHIBITION
Features artwork by recipients of the Department of Art and Design Merit Scholarship plus a juried art show open to all students with cash prizes for “Best In” categories
CLEVELAND PRINT ROOM
Work alongside professional photographers in CSU’s darkroom, the new workspace for the local cooperative with a mission to preserve darkroom photography
CAREER MENTORS
Provide focused support for careers in Studio Art and Graphic Design
OUR ALUMNI WORK AT Cleveland Museum of Art, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Sarofsky, American Greetings, Meta, IBM, Cleveland Metroparks, SherwinWilliams, Deloitte, University Hospitals and more
Programs current as of July 24, 2024. Subject to change.
Majors
Bachelor of Art (B.A.)
» Design
» Studio Art Minors
» Art History
» Design
» Studio Art
» Visual Studies Certificates
» Arts Management and Community Development
» Graphic Design
» Pre-Art Therapy
We are PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER . From center stage to behind the scenes, we are individuals and ensembles, dedicated to telling stories of the complex human experience.
We learn alongside accomplished faculty and guest artists in a demanding yet compassionate, learning environment. As actors, dancers, directors, choreographers, stage managers, designers and technicians, we work alongside professionals at Playhouse Square.
The state-of-the-art classrooms, studios and performance venues provide us with space to explore, create and innovate. And the community connections with local theatre and dance companies ensure pre-professional experiences and employment opportunities for our future.
artsandsciences.csuohio.edu/theatredance
CAPTIVATING CAPTIVATING WE ARE
CAPTIVATING CAPTIVATING
ALLEN THEATRE COMPLEX
where students perform four to six full-length shows, ranging from classical to contemporary, including our annual Spring Dance Concert
THE POWER OF THREE
CSU + Cleveland Playhouse + Playhouse Square equals professional experience through performance, internships and entry level employment opportunities
PRESENTING PROFESSIONAL THEATRE
Students get to shadow national touring Broadway productions at Playhouse Square in this new course
DANCE CLEVELAND PARTNERSHIP
Brings local, national and international professional dance company residencies to CSU for masterclasses, lectures and performances
Majors
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Dance
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre:
» Acting Track
» Directing Track
» Technical Design Track Minors
» Dance
» Theatre Arts
Programs current as of July 24, 2024. Subject to change.
AFFORDABILITY CSU BELIEVEs IN
SO YOU CAN FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS
Cleveland State University has one of the lowest tuition rates in Ohio and offers numerous scholarship and financial assistance opportunities—because everyone deserves access and opportunity to find their place and defy expectations. You’ll be automatically considered for institutional scholarships once you are formally admitted. Plus, our Tuition Guarantee locks in your tuition for all four years.
DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Application requirements and deadlines vary. Contact your intended department for details.
ART AND DESIGN
216-687-2040 | csuart@csuohio.edu
FILM & MEDIA ARTS
Apply online! artsandsciences.csuohio.edu/ scholarships-for-fma-students
MUSIC
216-687-5039 | music@csuohio.edu
THEATRE AND DANCE
216-687-2113 theatre@csuohio.edu dance@csuohio.edu
Already have college credits?
Meet with our Transfer Student Services to discuss how you can continue your collegiate arts education at CSU. csuohio.edu/transfercenter
2024-25 ARTS EVENTS
Art and Design
53rd Annual Student Art Show and Merit Scholar Exhibition
April–May, 2025 (dates TBD)
Film and Media Arts
All Rise: A Festival of Film and Law
October 21–25, 2024 allrisefilmfest.org
Cleveland International Film Festival Filmmaker Panels
April 4–5, 2025
CSU Student Film Festival
May 7, 2025
Music
View the arts calendar online for School of Music performances and events.
Theatre and Dance
Urinetown
October 31–November 10, 2024
Allen Theatre
The Lady From the Sea
December 4–7, 2024
CSU Black Box Theatre, CSU Arts Campus, Theatre and Arts Building, 5 th Floor, Room 521
Fairview
February 20–March 2, 2025
The Helen Theatre
CSU Spring Dance Concert 2025
April 18–19, 2025
The Outcalt Theatre
Find up-to-date listings of all arts events at artscievents.csuohio.edu
OH 44115-2214