Combining academic and artistic talent into transformative experiences
Thanks to CMU’s interdisciplinary culture, generations of Tartans have lived their lives “outside the box,” leading innovation in the fine arts, humanities, and behavioral and social sciences. From the silver screen to the surface of the moon, you’ll find CMU exploring humanity’s capabilities and telling its stories in new and inventive ways.
Celebrating with the Bard.
In 1934, the Department of Drama celebrated its 20th anniversary with productions of “Henry IV, Part 1 and 2.” In 20 years, Drama put on 510 productions, including 73 written by students and 23 plays of Shakespeare.
Fifteen minutes and counting.
Alumnus Andy Warhol was an iconic figure in the pop art movement exploring art's relationship to modern celebrity culture and advertising. His work included hand drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, silk screening, sculpture, film and music, and computer-generated art.
Sending CMU art to space.
Professor Lowry Burgess creates the first piece of art commissioned by NASA, which launches aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1989.
At home on Sesame Street.
Alumna Sonia Manzano joined the cast and writing staff of "Sesame Street" in 1971 as Maria, a role she would play for 44 years, earning 16 Emmy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Daytime Emmy in 2016.
A beautiful way of solving problems.
Alumnus and longtime faculty member Joseph Ballay saw solutions in connections throughout his career, seeing design theory and practice as a way to solve complex problems.
In 2022, he and his wife Sue made a gift to establish the Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion, making his unique approach part of CMU’s legacy.
Learn about this cutting-edge design center
Finding the inspiration.
Michael Keaton served as a visiting scholar for the Entertainment Technology Center starting in 2015. The Pittsburgh native and CMU honorary degree recipient would visit when his schedule allowed, meeting with students, checking out their projects and interactive games, and giving them feedback or insight.
Read more about Keaton's first visit to ETC