Transformation Campaign - Cleveland Institute of Art

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CAMPAIGN
PROGRESS

WE'RE ALMOST
THERE!

92 % 0 % of Goal Raised

$32.3

Million Raised

$35

Million Goal

The Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) is dedicated to cultivating creative leaders who inspire people, strengthen communities, and contribute to a thriving and sustainable economy through an innovative education in art and design.

CIA's Transformation Campaign is a key priority of our strategic plan, with mission-aligned impact areas that focus on transforming Student Access + Success, Teaching + Learning, Innovation + Technology, and Campus + Community.

Be part of the transformation and invest in the future of what art + design looks like to make sure that we're putting not just CIA, but Northeast Ohio on the map! With less than $3 million to go, we are so close to the finish line! We invite you to be part of our transformation, and help us close our campaign this fiscal year.

Make a Gift Today

Student Access + Success

Ensuring the affordability and accessibility of CIA’s word-class education for all deserving students, regardless of their financial circumstances, is a top priority. More and more CIA applicants apply for financial assistance and demonstrate need.

Through your support, we've exceeded our scholarship fundraising goals, doubled our endowment from $20 Million to $40 million and received our largest single gift in history—$8.7 Million!

Interactive Media Lab

Last fall, the Interactive Media Lab opened, redefining 21st‑century art and design education. With innovative programs, state-of-the-art technologies, and collaborative learning spaces, the IML combines CIA’s academic excellence with an incubator designed to build business capacity through augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence—all within the context of art and design.

This dynamic hub positions CIA at Northeast Ohio’s new intersection of innovation, where students and startups actively engage in artist- and designer-driven discourse and development.

A group of three students are standing together and smiling at the career fair. They are all wearing business casual.

Jane B. Nord Center for Teaching + Learning

The newly founded Jane B. Nord Center for Teaching + Learning bolsters our ongoing efforts to ensure CIA’s curriculum and teaching methodology are inclusive, socially responsible and continuously improved. CIA wouldn’t be where it is today without dedicated and historically significant educators. Attracting top teaching talent is only the first step. Once at CIA, it’s important to support their development and enhance their skills in teaching, instructional design, learning assessment and whole student support.

Center for Career + Workforce Development

Through donor support, CIA's Center for Career + Workforce Development prepares students to thrive in the evolving fields of art + design. Whether they aspire to build a studio practice, join an established business, become entrepreneurs, or pursue advanced degrees, students receive personalized guidance, professional mentorship, and real-world opportunities that meet them where they are.

Your investment helps emerging creatives build the skills, connections and confidence to transform their education into meaningful, sustainable careers.

Transforming Community

The concept of social practice is at the heart of a CIA education and imperative to our commitment to neighboring communities. As we expand and amplify our Engaged Practice community-based partnerships and Creativity Works entrepreneurial internship program, we aim to add tracks for socially engaged art and civic design to our Pre-College program and Young Artist classes.

A top view in the Peter B. Lewis. The crowd is mostly full and there is a panel on the stage talking before a film premiere.

Transforming Campus

In order to attract and retain our students, we must ensure that our facilities meet the students’ needs today and tomorrow. The Jessica R. Gund Library is a fantastic resource for students.

Through your support, we've invested in our Cinematheque and opened the Nunes Student Plaza last spring!

Community Experience

Derek Walker is standing in front of his work.

The kindness of alumni and friends of the college to create these scholarships is truly remarkable. Their support has enabled me to focus on my education and hone my skills in the studio, rather than worrying about how to pay for the next semester. I am eternally grateful.

— Derek Walker ’23

The IML is a critical ‘connective tissue’ initiative that will use immersive technologies across all majors to connect with industry and community. Incorporating course delivery and research with virtual/extended reality will redefine the physical teaching environment and change the way we see, ideate and experience. It’s CIA’s duty to offer such opportunities.

— Greg Watts, Vice President of Academic Affairs

Studies have shown that students who live on campus tend to be more successful in college.
They are places where significant learning takes place, and they support the kind of learners students will be in the classroom. It’s where leaders are born and molded and where misconceptions and erroneous ideologies may be changed forever.

— Matthew Smith, PhD, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs

Being in contact with others and the world around you often allows for one’s art-based response to be rooted in shared experiences, where contact and relationship are held in high regard. Having an opportunity for your art to be enmeshed in the larger community provides an alternative view of the artist’s journey.

— Orlando Caraballo ’18

The Jane B. Nord Center for Teaching + Learning’s programming provides support to develop teaching practices that build learning, engagement and students’ sense of belonging. Thanks to the Nord Center, I’m building small, effective changes into the classroom that increase learning. Just as importantly, the Nord Center creates opportunities to listen and learn from colleagues and students.

— Alyssa Perry, Visual Arts Lecturer