Historic Synagogue Welcomes Oberlin's Premium Arts Programs, Offering Top-tier Cultural Experiences
Oberlin College to Bring Integrated Arts Program to Park Arts in Cleveland Heights
Oberlin College is set to expand its reach in the arts scene of Northeast Ohio with the introduction of its Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Integrated Arts (BA+BFA) program at Park Arts, a repurposed Park Synagogue in Cleveland Heights. The project, scheduled to launch in fall 2025, aims to provide students with an immersive arts experience and collaborative opportunities with renowned visiting artists and Cleveland's arts organisations.
Park Arts, a joint venture between Sustainable Community Associates (SCA) and the nonprofit Friends of Mendelsohn, is designed to be an intergenerational center for artistic creation and humanities education. The center will offer 24-hour access to private studios, rehearsal spaces, theaters, and production facilities for students enrolled in the BA+BFA program.
The BA+BFA program at Park Arts is structured to blend Arts & Sciences coursework with Conservatory fine arts training, encouraging interdisciplinary creativity and preparing students for multiple career and artistic paths. The program culminates in a substantial, public-facing project-a performance, exhibition, or installation-determined in collaboration with Oberlin faculty mentors.
The collaboration between Oberlin and the greater Cleveland community is a significant milestone in a nationally recognized reclamation project within the Jewish community. Oberlin President Carmen Twillie Ambar expressed excitement about the partnership, stating that it aims to honor one of Cleveland's historic Jewish synagogues, the Park Synagogue.
The first BA+BFA students are scheduled to arrive at Park Arts in June 2027, providing hands-on opportunities for students in Northeast Ohio's vibrant arts scene. The program is expected to bring up to 50 fifth-year students to Park Arts for an immersive arts year.
The development of Park Arts also honours the legacy of Erich Mendelsohn, the architect behind the Park Synagogue's distinctive design. The collaboration between Oberlin and Park Arts is set to bring outstanding academics and world-class music and arts education to the planned Park Synagogue community.
Students in the BA+BFA program at Park Arts will collaborate with visiting artists, participate in internships, commissioned works, and public programming with Cleveland's arts organisations. This partnership will provide students with unique opportunities to engage with the local arts community and contribute to the vibrant cultural landscape of Cleveland Heights.
[1] Oberlin College. (2022). BA+BFA in Integrated Arts. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/arts/conservatory/integrated-arts
[2] Oberlin College. (2022). College of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/arts/college-arts-sciences
[3] Oberlin College. (2022). Double Degree Programs. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/arts/conservatory/double-degree-programs
[4] Oberlin College. (2022). Conservatory of Music. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/arts/conservatory
[5] Oberlin College. (2022). Creativity and Scholarship. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/arts/creativity-scholarship
- With the establishment of Oberlin College's BA+BFA in Integrated Arts program at Park Arts, students will have opportunities to delve into home-and-garden, education-and-self-development, and learning through collaborative projects with renowned artists and local organizations.
- The immersive arts experience at Park Arts, offering 24-hour access to studios and production facilities, aims to prepare students for diverse career paths, contributing to a lifestyle that combines both academic and artistic pursuits.
