The CSU Summer Arts program, which has spent the past 12 of its first 25 years at California State University, Fresno, will be back in 2011, putting a cultural exclamation point on the university’s year-long Centennial celebration.

CSU Summer Arts offers two sets of two-week classes taught by masters who also perform publicly during their time in Fresno. The program is operated by the California State University and is open to individuals of varied abilities who want to learn about the visual arts, theater performance, writing, comedy, animation, dance and other cultural arts disciplines.

The program rotated through several CSU campuses in its earliest days, but then came to Fresno State on a multi-year agreement. That agreement ended after the 2010 session, but the CSU awarded Fresno State an additional year as part of the university’s 100th year celebration.

The university has had a cultural connection with the community since its founding as a normal school in 1911 to prepare teachers. Music and theater were early parts of the school’s program and cultural arts offerings

The success of CSU Summer Arts is measured in many ways, including academic enhancement and cultural stimulation in the community hosting the event.

During the 2010 program, CSU Summer Arts presented 26 guest artist events and 16 student culminations for public enjoyment. Just over 5,500 people attended those events, including Jeanine King, who said, “Summer Arts has become, in the past five years, the kickoff event of summer for me.”

“I have learned things both practical and esoteric; viewed in wonder; listened in appreciation; watched in awe; laughed in delight; and, finally, cried at the beauty and brutal honesty of it all,” King added.

Some CSU Summer Arts facts from 2010:

  • 420 students enrolled, earning 3-6 transferable undergraduate or graduate units.
  • Guest artists and students represented Austria, Denmark, Canada, India, Israel, Italy and the United States.
  • The oldest student enrolled was 79 years old and the youngest was 15.
  • $248,538 was raised in scholarship funds and assisted 72 percent of students.

The 2011 CSU Summer Arts is scheduled June 26-July 23.

For more information, visit www.csusummerarts.org.