The California State University is now accepting applications for its 2024 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.
The application deadline is April 15 for international courses and May 15 for courses at Fresno State.
An immersive, multi-disciplinary arts experience, CSU Summer Arts will be held in two sessions at Fresno State: June 24 to July 7 and July 8 to July 21. In addition, three-week international courses will be offered in Italy (June 18 to July 9), Germany (July 14 to Aug. 4) and Mexico (July 15 to Aug. 5).
“Students tell us that Summer Arts was a truly transformative experience for them; one that expanded their knowledge, skills and appreciation of the arts in a very short period of time,” said Ray Smith, CSU Summer Arts director. “Working closely with guest artists in an intensive environment accelerates the creative process, helping students master their craft while fostering lifelong friendships and professional relationships beneficial to their careers.”
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, painters can master their art in Italy, actors can perfect their craft with renowned artists in Germany, and students can immerse themselves in the rich art, culture, and history of Mexico. Courses on the Fresno State campus include process-oriented photography, hip-hop dance, animation production, musical scoring for screen and video games, Chicago-style comedy, and social action writing.
Students can choose to attend one or both two-week sessions. At the end of the summer, students proudly showcase their artistic talents in free and open-to-the-public events.
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 19th 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 now through April15 for international courses and through May 15 for courses at Fresno State. Courses are open to students from community colleges, CSU and UC 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. Scholarships are available with a deadline of April 15 for priority consideration.
For more information about CSU Summer Arts courses, registration, scholarships or public events, visit CalState.edu/SummerArts.
