Art Academy of Cincinnati as creative catalyst of culture 

By Joseph Girandola

The sudden closure of Philadelphia’s University of the Arts at the beginning of May comes as shock. And just eight months ago, the oldest art school in the country, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, also announced it would cease to be an accredited college.

These events have left the Philadelphia region reeling, as its city center has been anchored by the dynamic presence of these schools for more than two centuries. Moreover, Philadelphia’s reputation as one of the country’s leaders in art education and the creative cultural economy is now in jeopardy. Pennsylvania’s political leaders are trying desperately to fill the absence of these two institutions whose faculty, staff and student body served a critical role in the city’s economic and creative ecosystem. 

I served as director of the graduate MFA program at UArts from 2009-2012, and the closure of this beloved institution has hit me hard on a deeply personal level. Only a remarkable city on the rise like Cincinnati could have inspired me to relocate my family on a leap of faith … Findlay Market helped cushion the move. Cincinnati’s commitment to the arts, equity and access to education drew my family here in 2012, and its creative community has welcomed us with open arms ever since. Much of my life has been guided by making an impact in society with my work and collaborating with empathetic change makers who use their creative talent to effect positive change in the world. 

Unfortunately, the United States has witnessed the closure of several prominent colleges of art design during the past decade. According to the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design, recent closings include The American Academy of Art College in Chicago, Delaware College of Art and Design, San Francisco Art Institute and Memphis College of Art and Design. The reasons for these closures reflect a myriad of factors affecting higher education today.

In response to these challenges, many independent colleges of art and design have sought affiliation agreements or have merged with larger colleges to provide them with resources at scale. These include Corcoran College of Art + Design (George Washington University), O’More College of Design/Watkins College of Art (Belmont University), Vermont College of Fine Arts (CalArts) and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (Tufts). However, those of us who have committed our careers to the advancement of art education remain steadfast in our belief that independent art and design schools deserve and require the support of our communities now more than ever as they continue to provide essential, high-quality college degrees to creative students of all backgrounds.

“It is in the core of their DNA as institutions,” said Deborah Obalil, president and executive director of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design. “In some ways, the closure of art schools, particularly those focused on fine arts, is the canary in the coal mine of concern around freedom of expression in our society as a whole.”¹

The Art Academy of Cincinnati has been a key creative catalyst in our region for over 150 years. Our graduates have gone on to create work that imbues our everyday lives with a sense of civic pride and collective identity. Our alumni put Cincinnati on the map with work featured in art history books, prominent museums and public spaces worldwide.

Moreover, our alumni contribute significantly to the region’s economic impact. Their work is featured at large-scale events, including BLINK and FotoFocus, and their entrepreneurial spirit graces the street-level businesses that make Cincinnati unique and vibrant. Truly, the foundation of creativity in Cincinnati is rooted in the Art Academy’s tremendous legacy in this region. 

Cincinnati is fortunate to have such a unique and essential learning environment as an option for higher education. Recent letters of support from Mayor Aftab Pureval and Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney speak of the Art Academy’s vital role in our region’s creative economy. They believe a skilled creative workforce provides profound economic impact for Cincinnati, and the Art Academy’s specialized education is key to training, career-ready artistic professionals.

The long and beautiful story of the Art Academy of Cincinnati continues. As we navigate the challenges ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic. In a city as altruistic and innovative as ours, we are buoyed by the prospect of increased collaboration and partnership. This year, we celebrate 20 years since our relocation to Over-the-Rhine, and we also commemorate 155 years as a beacon of arts education in our region.

We are proud of the rich artistic legacy our alumni, students and faculty have contributed to Cincinnati over so many generations. With a focus on the future, we will continue to champion artists and creatives from our region and beyond whose work bring ideas to form to affect positive change in our rapidly evolving world.

 (¹ Palmer, Kathryn. “Enrollment Declines Threaten Small, Independent Art Colleges.” Inside Higher Ed. April 8, 2024.)

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Joseph Girandola is president and CEO of the Art Academy of Cincinnati.