2026 Commencement

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Ceremony begins at 2pm. Doors open at 1pm.
Cain Park Evans Amphitheater
14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

Parents, family, and friends of the Class of 2026 are invited to join the Cleveland Institute of Art for our Commencement on Saturday, May 9.

Students will be recognized individually as they cross the stage followed by the conferral of degrees by President Heidemann.

Following the Commencement ceremony, please join us at CIA for a combined Commencement and BFA Exhibition celebration (4–6pm). Parking is available at CIA.

Location

Cain Park is about 10 minutes away from the CIA campus. Cain Park is located 14591 Superior Road. Cleveland Heights, OH 44118.

Commencement is a rain or shine event. Evan's Amphitheater is open air with covered seating. Complimentary parking is available at Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel (1985 S. Taylor Rd.) and on street parking surrounding Cain Park. Golf carts are available to those with mobility restrictions from the parking lot to Evans Amphitheater. 

Following the Commencement Ceremony, please join us at CIA for a combined Commencement & BFA Exhibition Reception to celebrate the hardwork and dedication of our seniors. The reception is from 4pm-6pm. Light refreshments provided. Parking is available at CIA. 

For those who cannot attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed at https://cia-edu.zoom.us/j/83739267573.

Hotel Accommodations

The Courtyard by Marriott in University Circle is available to stay. Click the link to get a CIA special rate for Commencement weekend!

Tickets

Tickets are required for all guests, excluding the graduating student. Each graduate will receive six complimentary guest tickets. Pick up will be in April at the Registrar's Office (Suite 120). The specific date will be announced via CIA email. A photo ID is required at pick up. Only the student can pick up their tickets. If extra tickets become available, students will be notified via email from the Registrar's Office in late April. Extra tickets are on a first-come first-serve basis. 

Regalia

Regalia (cap, black gown, and tassel) is required to participate in Commencement. Graduates need to order regalia through OakHall. The final deadline to order regalia is April 15 as determined by OakHall. CIA does not provide regalia. Graduates are encouraged to decorate their caps if desired. OakHall has additional stoles available for a variety of identity groups that graduates may choose to purchase, but are not required. 

Order your regalia on the OakHall website

Rehearsal 

Commencement rehearsal is the morning of May 9 at 9am and is not open to guests. Student check-in begins at 9am and rehearsal starts promptly at 9:30am at Cain Park. Regalia (cap, gown, tassel) is not required for rehearsal, but is required for the 2pm ceremony. Students should return to Cain Park at 1pm for check-in prior to 2pm ceremony.

Diplomas

Diplomas are not distributed to students during the ceremony. Diplomas are mailed in June via a third-party service, Parchment by Instructure. They will be mailed to the address provided in the graduation application. Degree candidates must meet specific obligations for graduation before diplomas will be issued. All degree requirements must be complete for the degree to be awarded. All holds must be resolved for diplomas to be mailed. Check your myCIA account for holds. Contact the office that placed the hold to resolve it. 

Loan Exit Counseling

Exit Counseling | Federal Student Aid

Federal Loan Exit Counseling is required for all students who borrowed Federal student loans. Exit counseling is required. Diplomas cannot be mailed until Loan Exit Counseling is completed. 

ADA Needs?

Graduating students or guests of graduates who need ADA accommodations need to inform CIA in advance. Students fill out this brief ADA inquiry form to provide necessary information for reasonable accommodation as available at Cain Park. Golf carts will be available at the entrance of the park near the Berkowitz parking lot to assist guests with mobility issues to the Evans Amphitheater. After the form is submitted, the Events Manager will reach out to the student with any additional questions and information. 

Social Media

Share your excitement leading up to the ceremony and celebrate with us during the big day by following CIA on Instagram, and tagging your posts with the official commencement hashtag: #CIAGrad2026. 

Check out Commencement event and portrait photos on CIA's Flickr account.

Questions

For questions about tickets, graduation applications or diplomas, please contact the Registrar’s Office by phone at 216.421.7321 or by email at registrar@cia.edu.

For questions about Commencement, please contact the Events Manager at 216.421.7475 or by email at jagoens@cia.edu.