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News Blog

CSUMB to Host CSU Summer Arts Program

Four of the 23 California State University's were in contention recently to win the visitation of the CSU Summer Arts program, and earlier this week it was announced that CSU Monterey Bay had won.

"Created in 1985 at an arts faculty institute in the woods of Kirkwood, California," reads the website, the program brings highly accomplished professionals from the worlds of dance, music, art, theater, poetry, filmmaking, design, writing and new media to various CSU campuses in workshops, public events and performances, and master classes. Some past artists and performers who've participated in residencies on different campuses include The Second City, Edward Albee, Bobby McFerrin, Bebe Miller Dance Company—Kronos Quartet and Steppenwolf Theatre Company are coming to current host CSU Fresno this summer—not to mention classrooms full of other luminaries from across the arts spectrum, from across the world.

The program bolsters the arts education of the students by immersing them in rigorous training, 12-14 hours a day, every day for two two-week sessions. But it has wider impact in its host community. Local high school and community college students are invited in, and numerous performances, lectures and events will be open to the public.

"Summer Arts will offer unprecedented opportunities for our students and our communities," says CSUMB president Dianne Harrison.

CSU Long Beach was awarded the program for three years. CSU Fresno, the current host, will have had it for 13 years this year. Renee Curry, CSUMB's dean of the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, spearheaded the application process with the support of other departments and community partners back in December. After visits and examinations of our campus, the CSU Summer Arts committee chose CSUMB based on its "[great] location," "blossoming" arts programs, and the school's connection to the surrounding community. The program doesn't start here until summer 2012, but it will make residency here for at least 5 consecutive years.

Registration is not yet open, but CSUMB assistant to the dean Cheryl Abbott says that the program's administrators are due to arrive at the campus in September.