Current Students

Student life in Cleveland State University’s Department of Art & Design extends well beyond the classroom. Students build community through organizations, exhibitions, mentorship, professional development, internships, and connections to Cleveland’s broader arts and creative industries. Whether your interests are in studio art, graphic design, or art history, Art & Design offers opportunities to help you grow creatively, professionally, and personally throughout your time at CSU. Follow Art & Design:

• Art & Design Instagram
• Art & Design Facebook (public)
• Art & Design Facebook (private)
• The Galleries at CSU Instagram

Student Organizations

Student organizations provide opportunities for leadership, collaboration, creative practice, and community-building within Art & Design.

Students of Fine Arts (SOFA)

SOFA supports student engagement in Studio Art through creative events and collaborative projects. The organization has helped expand visibility for student work by funding display cases for exhibitions in both the Theatre & Arts Building and the CSU Student Center, connecting Art & Design students with the broader university community. SOFA members have also organized commissioned mural projects and recently introduced an annual Student Art Sale. Follow SOFA on Instagram.

CSU AIGA

The Cleveland State student chapter of AIGA connects Graphic Design students with the broader design profession through programming, networking, professional development, and creative community engagement. Follow CSU AIGA on Instagram and CSU AIGA on Linktree.

Mentorship & Career Development

Art & Design students have access to mentorship and professional development opportunities designed to help them move from classroom learning to creative careers.

Through the Haddad Career Mentor Program, students connect with working professionals who provide individualized guidance in portfolio development, internships, career planning, networking, graduate school preparation, and professional practice. Mentors help students identify opportunities aligned with their interests while building confidence and connections within Cleveland’s creative ecosystem.

Recent mentorship outcomes have included internships, paid professional opportunities, arts writing, curatorial experience, museum placements, and connections with regional arts and design organizations.

Professional Development Opportunities

Art & Design students regularly engage in workshops, guest speakers, and professional learning experiences designed to support career readiness and creative entrepreneurship.

Every Artist is a Startup

Our Every Artist is a Startup workshop program, developed in partnership with CSU’s Weston Ideation Lab, introduces students to entrepreneurial thinking, branding, business development, and professional practice for creative careers. Workshops have explored topics ranging from self-promotion and personal branding to emerging technologies including AI in art and design.

Students also connect with visiting professionals, alumni, and community partners through department programming, AIGA events, and other special opportunities throughout the academic year.

Career Connections

Career Connections is a professional shadowing and networking program that connects Design students directly with Cleveland-area creative businesses and professionals.

Through studio visits, job shadowing, mentorship, and orientation sessions, students gain real-world exposure to graphic design, digital media, printing, and related creative industries while building professional confidence and industry connections.

Recent Career Connections programming connected CSU students with more than a dozen local creative businesses and included portfolio feedback, mentoring, and guided professional development. For more information, visit Art & Design's Haddad Design Mentor.

Campus Resources

Cleveland State provides a wide range of student support services, leadership opportunities, and campus engagement resources beyond Art & Design.

Students may wish to explore:

• Career Development & Exploration Student Resources
• Handshake
• Campus Student Organizations
• Weston Ideation Lab