Glass

Program of Study

During the past half century, the studio glass movement of the 1960s has bridged the gap between individual artists and craftsmen making one-of-a-kind sculptures to creating handmade functional glass objects. This melding of personal expression with the business of being a working artist has led to the exponential growth in private, artist-owned studios, community studios, and glass programs in universities including our BFA degree program at the Cleveland Institute of Art.

Image of a Glass bottle being made in the Hot Shop

Image of a student with two blown glass bubbles

Image of student picking up glass pieces

As a student in the Glass department, you will learn four main methodologies:

Working hot glass which comprises glass blowing and off hand, molten glass processes
Working glass cold including cutting, fabricating, grinding, sandblasting, and polishing
Fusion processes such as casting, slumping, and bending
Flame working

After you survey all basic methods during your introductory classes, you will explore various techniques and concepts before performing your own independent study and research individually tailored to your developing voice. You will do all of this under the guidance of our devoted Glass professors, whose commitment to the art form has earned them international recognition as leading contributors to the medium.

Real-world experience for real-world careers
What may best set CIA apart from other colleges of art and design is its commitment to engaged practice. CIA’s Engaged Practice provides you opportunities to learn through experience by working on real-world projects with external partners or clients, or in the public sphere—all before graduation.

These opportunities allow you to put your classroom and studio knowledge to work in a professional setting while still being guided by faculty. You’ll learn what it takes to meet clients’ expectations, and you will emerge with confidence that will serve you as you launch your career.

Major Application
Art and design education is structured to prepare students for the challenges of competition that define a career in the art and design fields. Consistent with that value, CIA students begin their major focus with an application process that is competitive. Students apply to majors in the spring semester of their Foundation year.