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2025 Commencement

A group of commencement graduates are standing in regalia and posing for a photo. We can see the photographer in the bottom right corner.

142nd Commencement Ceremony honoring the 2025 graduates

A student is standing on stage with her hands up, celebrating as she graduates.

A family is standing together at the commencement reception.

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Ceremony begins at 2pm. Doors open at 1pm.
Cain Park in the Evans Amphitheater
14591 Superior Road. Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

Parents, family, and friends of the Class of 2025 are invited to join the Cleveland Institute of Art for our Commencement on Saturday, May 10.

Students will be recognized individually as they cross the stage by their respective major chairs followed by the conferral of degrees by President Heidemann.

Following the Commencement Ceremony, please join us at CIA for a combined Commencement & BFA exhibition celebration. Parking is available at CIA.

Location

Cain Park is about 10 minutes away from the CIA campus. Cain Park is located 14591 Superior Road. Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

Commencement will occur rain or shine. Evan's Amphitheater is open air but the seating is covered. Parking is available surrounding the park and information on a designated parking lot is forthcoming.

Following the Commencement Ceremony, please join us at CIA for a combined Commencement & BFA exhibition celebration. Parking is available at CIA.

Tickets

Tickets are required for all guests, excluding the graduating student. Each graduate will receive 7 guest tickets. Ticket pick update date and location will be announced via CIA email. A photo ID is required at pick up.

Regalia

Regalia (cap, black gown, and tassel) is required to participate in Commencement. Graduates will need to order regalia through OakHall. The final deadline to order regalia is April 9th as determined by OakHall. CIA does not provide regalia. Graduates are encouraged to decorate their caps if desired.

Order your regalia on the OakHall website

Rehearsal

Commencement rehearsal will be held in the morning on May 10 at 10am and is not open to guests. Student check-in will begin at 9:30am.

Diplomas

Diplomas are not distributed to students during the ceremony. Diplomas are mailed in June via a third-party service, Parchment. Diplomas will be mailed to addresses provided in the graduation application.

Degree candidates must meet specific obligations for graduation before diplomas will be issued. All degree requirements must be complete for the degree to be awarded.

Social Media

Share your excitement leading up to the ceremony and celebrate with us during the big day by following CIA on Instagram, and tagging your posts with the official commencement hashtag: #CIAGrad2025.

Hotel Accommodations

The Courtyard by Marriot in University Circle is available to stay and offers a special CIA rate. When you call, be sure to mention you are with CIA and they will be able to provide that rate to you.

Questions

For questions about tickets, graduation applications or diplomas, please contact the Registrar’s Office by phone at 216.421.7321 or by email at registrar@cia.edu.

For questions about commencement, please contact the President’s office at 216.421.7410 or by email at president@cia.edu.