Pre-College at the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA)
CIA‘s Pre-College program is a great opportunity for high school students (grades 10-12) to experience living and learning like an art + design student! Students taking part will:
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Spend two weeks immersed in our state-of-the-art studios while working alongside students who share their passion.
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Earn three college credits!
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Be immersed in a rigorous curriculum taught by experts in the field— it matches that of full-time students, so you know you’re getting the most out of your stay!
Also, Pre-College students are eligible to earn designated scholarships toward CIA’s BFA program!
You can learn more about Pre-College HERE.
Film Studies — NEW in 2025!
This course introduces students to film’s history and evolution, exploring cinema as an art form through theoretical and critical approaches. Topics include the Kinetoscope, the Lumière Brothers, the studio system, the French New Wave, American Auteurs, and today’s streaming services. Students will examine storytelling across visual mediums, analyze its structure, and develop their own screenplays in a collaborative classroom setting. The course emphasizes script formatting, feedback, networking, and submitting for success.
By the end of the two-week course, students will complete a competition-worthy short script and connect with local film professionals, gaining insights into diverse career opportunities in the industry. The course is being taught by local playwright and screenwriter Matthew Sprosty; learn about his work HERE.
The Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, nonprofit college of art and design that has been the training ground for students for more than 140 years. The college was originally opened as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women in 1882. CIA students have gone on to design international products. Their artwork has been exhibited in major museums and private collections around the world. Audiences and gamers have enjoyed their entertainment media for generations. CIA’s mission is to cultivate creative leaders who inspire people, strengthen communities and contribute to a thriving and sustainable economy through an innovative education in art and design.