Discover the New Era: Cornish College of the Arts Joins Forces with Seattle University

Seattle University has officially taken over Cornish College of the Arts, a move announced recently. This transition signifies a significant shift for both institutions, as they aim to collaborate more closely in the arts arena.

While the two campuses are only about 1.5 miles apart, they have different focuses. Seattle University is a Jesuit institution with diverse academic programs, boasting 7,182 enrolled students this fall. In contrast, Cornish specializes in visual and interdisciplinary arts, having just 502 students in the same semester.

This merger allows Seattle University to enhance its offerings in the arts, an area it previously lacked. According to President Eduardo Peñalver, this partnership aims to preserve the legacy of Cornish while creating fresh opportunities for creativity and collaboration among students and faculty.

Most Cornish students appear eager to continue their education at Seattle University. A recent report stated that around 91% of students enrolled in spring 2025 chose to stay under the new banner.

In terms of staffing, the university extended job offers to a significant number of Cornish’s original faculty, with 33 out of 40 accepting positions. Notably, Brian Harlan, who was Cornish’s provost, will serve as the dean of the new arts school at Seattle University.

Both campuses will collaborate to integrate their arts programs starting this fall, promising an exciting future for arts education in Seattle. As they move forward together, it will be interesting to see how student reactions and community responses shape this new chapter.

For more insights into the nuances of this merger and its impact on Seattle’s arts landscape, check out the official announcements and statements from the institutions involved.



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