Studio Art

Studio Art at Cleveland State is a hands-on, interdisciplinary program for students who want to develop their creative practice across media while building technical skills, conceptual development, and professional preparation.

Students work in disciplines including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and interdisciplinary art in a studio environment shaped by critique, collaboration, and faculty mentorship from practicing artists committed to the development of technical skills and independent creative practice.

Located in downtown Cleveland’s Playhouse Square district, the program benefits from close proximity to the city’s museums, galleries, nonprofit arts organizations, and broader creative community.

Each Studio Art discipline has a special focus based on facilities and instructor expertise.

• Drawing — observational, conceptual, and experimental approaches
• Painting — traditional and contemporary methods
• Printmaking — multiple processes and image-based experimentation
• Photography — digital and lens-based practices
• Sculpture / Ceramics — three-dimensional materials and processes
• Interdisciplinary Art — cross-media experimentation and expanded practice

Studio Art students learn:

• The basics of 2D and 3D art, drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, and photography
• Advanced techniques in studio art disciplines of their choice
• How to develop personal, unique, and thought-provoking imagery and forms

Careers in Studio Art

Studio Art graduates pursue careers in creative fields including studio practice, photography, illustration, design, arts administration, museum and gallery work, education, and nonprofit arts leadership.

The program also provides strong preparation for graduate study, including MFA programs and other advanced degrees in the arts. Selected graduates may continue their development through a tuition-free post-baccalaureate year at the Cleveland Institute of Art.

Exhibition Opportunities

Studio Art students regularly present their work through critiques, exhibitions, and public showcases that help prepare them for professional creative practice. Each spring, the Department of Art & Design presents the annual Student Art Show, a juried exhibition featuring work by CSU students across disciplines. Studio Art students receiving Haddad Merit Scholarships also participate in the annual Merit Scholarship Exhibition, which highlights the work of selected emerging artists.

These experiences give students opportunities to develop exhibition-ready work, engage professional audiences, and gain experience presenting their creative practice publicly. 

More information about CSU's Art Gallery.

Studio Facilities

Studio Art students have access to dedicated studios and specialized facilities for drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and ceramics, supporting both traditional and interdisciplinary approaches to art making. Our fifth-floor drawing and painting studios offer stunning views of downtown Cleveland and Lake Erie, reinforcing the program’s connection to the city’s creative environment.

Internships

Many Studio Art students gain professional experience working in internships with employers throughout the city of Cleveland and on CSU's campus. 

Scholarships

Studio Art students may also be eligible for departmental scholarship opportunities, including the Haddad Merit Scholarship.