bridge program

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The CVA Bridge Program is a summer preparatory program for students who posses the artistic strengths and potential to succeed at the College of Visual Arts but are academically and economically disadvantaged. This summer preparatory program helps provisionally admitted, at-risk students make a successful transition to college.

The goal of CVA’s Bridge Program is to support individual student development and build a more diverse CVA community by reaching out to underserved populations in Minnesota. Learn More

Bridge Grant Fund

After completing the preparatory summer Bridge Program, incoming students are given grants to cover any tuition that Federal and State Student Aid won’t cover. Grant Funds would fund subsequent years if they maintain the required academic standard.



Bridge Program Details

This summer prepratory program supports individual student development by providing early, focused attention on students that need additional academic support. The program focuses on developing academic skills in critical thinking through research and writing and an introduction to the digital vocabulary that is key to all design studies.

This program also build a more diverse CVA community by providing educational opportunities and academic support to students with strong artistic talent and personal initiative who would other wise be excluded from higher education due to circumstances of academic and economic disadvantage.

Students take two classes, a Liberal Arts course: Introduction to Visual Studies and a studio course: Introduction to Two-Dimensional Digital Design. Each course is 1.5 pass/fail credits.

The liberal arts are a key component to a CVA education. They are fully integrated throughout the curriculum and foster critical thinking in art and design and develop writing skills. In the digital design studio, students acquire the skills necessary to explore their ideas and execute their concepts.

Academic advisors and counselors guide each student through the program. This summer experience introduces students to the academic rigors of an art and design college program.

To be eligible to participate in the program students must:

  • Possess a high school diploma or the equivalent GED
  • Apply to CVA
  • Be conditionally admitted to CVA

Conditionally admitted students don’t meet CVA’s admissions standards. These conditional students have a high school GPA lower than 2.7, and an ACT lower than 18. Students that have a portfolio that represents talent and potential but don’t meet CVA admissions standards are eligible for this program.

Make a difference. Give a $1,000 gift to the Bridge Program Fund.
donate by mail
donate online