Jewelry + Metals at CIA
As a Jewelry + Metals student at The Cleveland Institute of Art, you will develop a thorough understanding of traditional and contemporary metalsmithing processes that will aid you in your journey to become an artist of decorative and wearable art.
An Innovative, Interdisciplinary Curriculum
Our Jewelry and Metals coursework begins with studying the fundamental techniques and materials in jewelry design and small-scale sculpture. After learning the basics, you will utilize more advanced technologies, such as:
- Anodizing
- Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
- Electroforming
- Rapid Prototyping
- Forming and fabrication
- Lost-wax casting
- Sophisticated stone setting
- 3D modeling
- Working with mechanisms, mixed media, and machining
And you will analyze the history of the field, contemporary attitudes towards wearables and cultural objects, and significant artists and their works.
Practice Makes Successful Artists
To grow as an artist, you will need to continually develop skills, improve your knowledge, and broaden your experiences. As a Jewelry and Metals major, you will accomplish all of these goals through studio and research assignments, presentations, exhibitions, and field trips. Each year, you also will produce and submit work to the juried Student Independent Exhibition, a display of student work held in the Institute’s Reinberger Galleries, as well as our Spring Show.
Learn More
Find out more about our jewelry and metals facilities, faculty, courses, and available scholarships. Check out potential career paths in jewelry and metals or works created by our students.
Click on an image to see a larger view.
Alexander Haines |
Amanda Bristow |
Austin Bates |
Demitra Thomloudis: Measure Up |
Jenn Mellon |
Stephanie Schwallie: Paranoid |
Jewelry + Metals Facilities
Our studios offer exceptional opportunities to explore and create using 3D modeling and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM). In addition, you’ll have access to rapid prototyping—a technology that turns your CAD/CAM design into a three-dimensional scale model.Careers in Jewelry + Metals
Many graduates from our BFA degree in jewelry and metals have designed wearable accessories for the runway with such famous designers as Isaac Mizrahi, Trina Tarantino, Vera Wang, and Alexis Bittar.
Potential career options include:
- Jewelry designer
- Modeler
- Object maker for interior/exterior home decor and architectural detailing
- Prototype developer
- Studio, fine, and production jewelry artist
Download the Jewelry + Metals program of study
Access Course Schedules and Description
Jewelry + Metals Courses
- Craft and Material Culture Core Studios
- Creative Process and Materials Studies
- Freshman Environmental Elective: Craft and Material Culture
- Intro to Jewelry and Metals
- Advanced Projects
- Alternative Materials for Jewelry
- Art and Machine
- BFA Statement and Exhibition
- Color
- Flatware
- Forming and Fabrication
- Jewelry Concepts
- Mechanisms
- Modeling
- Production
- Recycling and Renovation
- Advanced and Basic
- Surface
- Thesis/Professional Portfolio
- Language and Materials
Scholarships
The Cleveland Institute of Art offers an extensive merit recognition program, using endowed scholarships and other private monies, to support our students. We offer scholarships through our academic departments, the Office of Admissions, and the Office of Financial Aid. Learn more about scholarships at CIA.
Download Institute Wide (Open) Awards
Download Award Recipient Information Sheet
Jewelry + Metals Scholarships
Cleveland Art Association/Horace Potter (Class of 1898) Memorial Scholarship
Awarded for outstanding achievement and potential in metals to 2nd or 3rd year Jewelry and Metals majors. Total Amount of Award in 2009: $6,000, shared by 1 or more winner(s). Award is based on Merit. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.
Frederick Miller '40 Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Jewelry and Metals
Awarded for excellence to a current 2nd or 3rd year student majoring in Jewelry and Metals. Total Amount of Award in 2009: $408, shared by 1 winner(s). Award is based on Merit. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.
Robert Jergens '60 Scholarship for Excellence in Foundation Design
cross-listed in Foundation and Craft areas
Awarded for artistic achievement and creativity to current 1st year students entering one of the traditional Craft areas - Ceramics, Enameling, Fiber & Material Studies, Glass, and Jewelry + Metals. (1 award per major, divided equally) Total Amount of Award in 2009: $20,000, shared by exactly 5 winner(s). Award is based on Merit. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.
Jane Iglauer Fallon '36 Scholarship for Excellence in Craft
cross-listed in craft areas
Awarded to current 2nd or 3rd year students who show great potential or have demonstrated excellence, and are majoring in one of these Craft disciplines: Ceramics, Enameling, Glass, Jewelry + Metals. Total Amount of Award in 2009: $3,760, shared by 1 or more winner(s). Award is based on Merit. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.