Cleveland Institute of Art announces Craig Hassall as 2026 Commencement Speaker

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2026

CLEVELAND—Playhouse Square President & CEO Craig Hassall—a distinguished leader in performing arts management who has held impactful senior roles at iconic cultural institutions across three continents—will serve as Commencement speaker for the Cleveland Institute of Art's Class of 2026. 

In leading Playhouse Square, one of the world's premier arts districts, Hassall oversees a unique collection of 12 theaters hosting an impressive season of Broadway, concerts and other performances. Playhouse Square boasts the largest season-ticket base for touring Broadway in North America and is home to eight resident companies.  

"To be invited to present the CIA Commencement address truly makes me feel as though I am finally a Clevelander," Hassall says. "This is my third year living in this wonderful city, and CIA is just one of the many cultural assets I have come across—but one of our most loved!" 

CIA and Playhouse Square have strengthened their collaborative connections during Hassall's tenure. Animation students are currently developing Changing of Seasons in partnership with Cleveland Metroparks, a series of animations that will serve as Marquee Moments across Playhouse Square's 13 digital displays. The first animation, which visually explores the transition from winter to spring in Northeast Ohio by following two foxes through a forest, will debut in the coming weeks. Additional collaborations are being discussed. 

"Craig Hassall brings a global perspective and a deep understanding of the power of creative talent to shape cities and economies and build vibrant communities," says CIA President + CEO Kathryn J. Heidemann. "His vision for the role our graduates will play in that future—paired with the meaningful collaborations between Playhouse Square and CIA under his leadership—makes him an ideal voice to inspire the Class of 2026 as they step into their careers." 

Prior to taking the helm at Playhouse Square, Hassall was CEO of the Royal Albert Hall in London, where he was responsible for the overall commercial direction, artistic direction and strategic progress of one of the world’s most well-known and loved performance venues. 

He has also held leadership roles at Opera Australia, the country’s largest performing arts organization; English National Ballet, the national touring ballet company of the United Kingdom; and Raymond Gubbay Ltd., presenting commercial classical events. 

"Many years ago, I served as chair of Object – The Australian Centre for Craft & Design. This post gave me a wonderful insight into the world of artistic and industrial design. The skills I observed were extraordinary," Hassall says. "Many years later, having a tour with Kathryn Heidemann of the CIA campus brought back these memories and opened my eyes to many more disciplines.  

"As far as imparting wisdom to these students, I must say that I find the whole process rather humbling," he says. "I hope that I can inspire these graduates to follow their dreams and not let the realities of post-campus dampen any drive or enthusiasm for doing so!" 

CIA's 2026 Commencement will take place at 2pm Saturday, May 9 at Cain Park's Evans Amphitheater in Cleveland Heights. The ceremony is a ticketed event open only to CIA students, their families and members of the CIA community.   

Contact

Cleveland Institute of Art
Michael C. Butz, Director of College Communications + External Relations
mcbutz@cia.edu / 216.421.7404

Cleveland Institute of Art

The Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, nonprofit college of art and design that has been the training ground for countless students who have gone on to make important contributions to the fields of creativity and innovation since it opened in 1882 as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women. Its students have designed internationally recognized products, their artwork has been exhibited in major museums and private collections around the world, and their entertainment media has been enjoyed by audiences and game players for generations. It enrolls about 550 students nationally and internationally and has a faculty of about 100 full-time and adjunct members, all of whom are practicing artists, designers and scholars.