Historic Synagogue to Witness Premier Arts Programs as Oberlin Steps In
Oberlin College Announces New BA+BFA Integrated Arts Program at Park Arts
In a significant move, Oberlin College has announced a new academic offering - the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Integrated Arts (BA+BFA) dual degree program. This program, set to launch in Fall 2025, will be based at Park Arts, a collaborative venture between Oberlin and Sustainable Community Associates (SCA), in Cleveland Heights.
The BA+BFA program is designed to provide a unique blend of liberal arts and fine arts education, aiming to prepare students for real-world experiences in the vibrant arts scene of Northeast Ohio. The program is scheduled to accept its first cohort of students in June 2027.
Students enrolled in the BA+BFA program will have access to 24-hour private studios, rehearsal spaces, theaters, and production facilities at Park Arts. They will also have opportunities for internships, commissioned works, and public programming with Cleveland's arts organizations.
Collaboration is at the heart of the BA+BFA program. Students will work with renowned visiting artists and Cleveland's arts organizations, fostering a creative and interdisciplinary environment. The program will culminate in a substantial, public-facing project - a performance, exhibition, or installation - determined in collaboration with Oberlin faculty mentors.
The transformation of the Park Synagogue campus into Park Arts is part of a larger restoration and repurposing effort. The historic synagogue, vacated several years ago, will now serve as a hub for artistic creation and humanities education, bridging the creative energy of Cleveland and Cleveland Heights with Oberlin's close-knit campus.
Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar expressed her excitement about the partnership, highlighting the opportunity it presents for Oberlin students to contribute their talents to a city known for artistic excellence.
While specific details about the program's structure or curriculum are not yet available, the BA+BFA in Integrated Arts is expected to start in the upcoming academic year, likely Fall 2025. For the most precise information, including start date and curriculum, contacting Oberlin College admissions or Park Arts directly is recommended.
[1] Oberlin College News, August 6, 2025.
This new BA+BFA Integrated Arts program at Park Arts offers an innovative lifestyle, combining education-and-self-development in liberal arts and fine arts, preparing students for Northeast Ohio's arts scene. With the opportunity to collaborate with renowned artists and Cleveland's arts organizations, students can foster a creative and interdisciplinary environment that will culminate in a public-facing project.
