The California State University is now accepting applications for its 2023 CSU Summer Arts program, which offers undergraduate, graduate and advanced practitioners a chance to live and study with world-renowned artists and CSU faculty in the fields of art, creative writing, dance, media, music and theatre.
An immersive, multi-disciplinary arts experience, CSU Summer Arts will be held in two sessions — June 26 through July 9 and July 10 through July 23 — at Fresno State. In addition, three-week international courses will be offered in Italy (June 5 through 25), London (July 11 through Aug. 1) and Spain (July 20 through Aug. 10).
“Summer Arts is a truly transformative opportunity for emerging artists to enhance their knowledge, skills and appreciation of the arts,” said Ray Smith, CSU Summer Arts director. “The intensive environment accelerates the creative process and helps students master their craft while fostering lifelong friendships and professional relationships that will help them in the future.”
CSU Summer Arts offers a wide array of creative learning and mastery opportunities in a close-knit and apprentice-like environment. Through the international courses, flutists can perfect their art in Italy, actors can master the British accent or musicians can hone their skills on the Spanish guitar in Spain. Sample courses on the Fresno State campus include K-pop dance, West African drum and dance, digital world building, print making and novel writing.
Students can choose to attend one or both two-week sessions. At the end of the summer, students showcase their artistic talents in an open-to-the-public festival of arts.
Launched in 1985 as a summer dance program on the campus of Cal State Long Beach, the Summer Arts’ curriculum expanded the following year to include various arts genres.
This is the 18th time CSU Summer Arts has been hosted at Fresno State. The campus served as host from 1999 through 2011, before moving to CSU Monterey Bay from 2012-16. It returned to Fresno State in 2017 (though it was not offered in 2020 during the pandemic).
CSU Summer Arts is accepting applications through May 22 (or April 17 for Italy courses) and is open to students from community colleges, CSU and University of California campuses and private colleges, or members of the community with the desire to master their craft. Students admitted to the program can earn up to six units of transferrable credit.
Costs range from $1,700 to $4,500 depending on number of units, California residency status and degree level. Housing and travel are additional costs. Scholarships are available to cover part or all of a student’s enrollment fees.
For more information about CSU Summer Arts courses, registration, scholarships or public events, visit CalState.edu/SummerArts.
(Written by Suzanne Crosina-Sahm)
