The California State University (CSU) announced today it has selected California State Polytechnic University, Pomona to host the CSU Summer Arts program for its 2025 through 2029 seasons. Summer Arts, an immersive, multidisciplinary arts program, is currently being hosted by California State University, Fresno.
Launched by the CSU in 1985, the annual summer program offers undergraduate students, graduate students and advanced practitioners the opportunity to live and study with noted professional artists and CSU faculty in the fields of art, creative writing, dance, media, music and theatre. Courses are typically offered as two-week sessions during the months of June and July. The program also offers a calendar of public events and performances by guest artists and students.
Summer Arts was designed to move from one CSU campus to another every five years, but partly due to the enthusiasm of the local community, Fresno State has served as host for 19 (non-consecutive) years. The program was hosted at Fresno State from 1999 through 2011 before moving to California State University, Monterey Bay from 2012 to 2016. It returned to Fresno State in 2017 (though it was not offered in 2020 during the pandemic) and the program has been hosted there since, including the two sessions this summer.
The CSU Chancellor's Office Summer Arts team solicited internal bids among the CSU's 23 campuses to identify the new summer location. Cal Poly Pomona was selected after a lengthy evaluation process and site visits.
“We are so grateful to Fresno State and the community of Fresno for the continued support and enthusiasm Summer Arts has enjoyed during our 19 years on campus," said CSU Summer Arts Interim Director Kristy Sauerbry. “We are excited about our move to Cal Poly Pomona, and as we transition to this vibrant community, we look forward to meeting new people, connecting with new artists and continuing to offer enriching courses and programs."
The 2024 Summer Arts programming held at Fresno State has just concluded, boasting more than 300 students and 17 courses. For more information about CSU Summer Arts, visit CalState.edu/SummerArts.
About CSU Summer Arts
The CSU Summer Arts program provides innovative arts education, exhibitions and performances that nurture the artistic spirit and enhance an appreciation of the 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. For more than 35 years, CSU Summer Arts has united artists and students, igniting passions and enriching lives through the arts.
About the California State University
The California State University is the nation's largest four-year public university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 450,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. Because the CSU's 23 universities provide a high-quality education at an incredible value, they are rated among the best in the nation for promoting social mobility in national college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. The CSU powers California and the nation, sending nearly 127,000 career-ready graduates into the workforce each year. In fact, one in every 20 Americans holding a college degree earned it at the CSU. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU newsroom.