COFA Experiential Learning

As students within the College of Fine Arts, it is essential their education reaches far beyond traditional classroom walls. The opportunity to participate in real-world experiences such as internships, seminars, and artistic collaborations improves creative perspective, enriches personal growth, and helps our students stay competitive as they launch and move out into the marketplace.

OHIO is dedicated to making these experiences available for ALL. We are working hard to break down the financial barriers that students face so experiences from the studio to the performance stage to the theater are within reach.

We know from years of experience that not all students who are considering an internship, seminar, or artistic collaboration can afford it. To address this issue, an anonymous donor worked to establish the new COFA Experiential Learning fund. It’s now easier than ever to support OHIO students who are on their arts journey.

Your gift to the College of Fine Arts Experiential Learning Fund ensures students have access to transformational hands-on learning engagements that elevate their passion and preparation as artists, performers, and masters of their craft. 

Kat Kelly and CJ Herr, 2022 School of Art and Design graphic design graduates, spent their summer making a difference. The pair worked as marketing design interns at Video/Action, which is owned and run by College of Fine Arts graduate Robin Smith, BFA '72.

CJ Herr ’22 noted, "The benefits of experiential learning opportunities provide a big return and can help to jumpstart a career or open the doors to a new experience." "Have as many experiences as you can," Kat Kelly ’22 added.

Senior Art History Major, Erin Mangan says her summer as a gallery assistant at the Chautauqua Institution, based in Chautauqua, New York, was like an "adult summer camp." "I’d encourage you with my entire heart to do it. The experience that you have, the people you meet, the new skills you’re going to learn – that is going to be so beneficial in your future and your lifetime."

Your gift in any amount helps to support our students with expenses such as transportation, equipment and material fees, and all kinds of costs associated with these impactful opportunities. We urge you to take an active role, support our students and make a gift.

Give Now

• Gifts of $50 will support transportation costs
• Gifts of $100 will support materials and equipment costs
• Gifts of $500 will support living costs and rent
• Gifts of $1,000 will make it all possible
• Gifts at any level are encouraged

Your generous gift to this OHIO campaign will help students have access to transformational hands-on experiences.

Your actions now will make this COFA Experiential Learning campaign a success. Here are four things alumni, families, and friends can do to support a Fine Arts students:

• Make a gift here, in support of this crowdfunding campaign.
• Mail a check (payable to The Ohio University Foundation) to The Ohio University Foundation, PO Box 869, Athens, OH 45701; be sure to write COFA Exp Learning fund on the memo line.
• Please connect with Sarah Schneider to learn more about the new COFA Experiential Learning fund if you're considering a significant gift in support of it. To give to a COFA scholarship or specific area of Fine Arts, please reach out to Sarah.
• If you want to explore making a charitable gift to this campaign with a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA), giving via a Donor Advised Fund or stock transfer, please also reach out to the Sarah Schneider.