Cleveland Institute of Art

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The Cleveland Institute of Art is a private college of art and design located in University Circle, Cleveland, Ohio. It was founded in 1882 as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women. From 1891 until 1948 it was named Cleveland School of Art. During the Great Depression the school paticipated in the WPA Federal Art Project in the Cleveland area. During World War II mapmaking and medical drawing were added to the usual curriculum in drawing, painting and sculpture.

Originally concentrating on 'practical' rather than 'academic' skills, the Cleveland School of Art aimed to train designers and craftspeople. The school began offering a bachelor of fine arts degree in 1947, just before the name change in 1948. The Institute gradually incorporated more 'academic' subjects into the curriculum, and the program had expanded to five years by 1969. Beginning with the 2006 school year the institute will transition from a five-year to a four-year degree track.

In addition to being an acclaimed art school and valuable component of the cultural community of University Circle, the Cleveland Institute of Art also houses the main exposition center of the Cleveland Cinematheque.