Agreement Sets Stage for Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University

Seattle University and Cornish College of the Arts announced the signing of a historic agreement that will establish Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University, setting the stage for an enhanced and innovative future for arts education in Seattle and the Puget Sound region.

The agreement, approved by the boards of trustees and signed by the presidents of both schools, broadly outlines the structure of the transaction between the two institutions and involves Cornish contributing and transferring substantially all its assets to Seattle University, which will also assume certain Cornish liabilities. The assets include Cornish’s facilities, real estate holdings, name and intellectual property.

The transaction, known as an asset contribution, is anticipated to close on May 31, 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other conditions.

Seattle University President Eduardo Peñalver said the agreement entrusts SU with Cornish’s long legacy of excellence and innovation in arts education.

“We welcome this responsibility as a generational opportunity to elevate and enhance the arts and arts education at SU for students and the broader community we, and Cornish, have served for more than 100 years,” Peñalver said.

The schools initially signed a Letter of Intent in December 2024 to explore an agreement. Following a thorough review, it was determined that an asset contribution was the best path forward. After the closing of the transaction, Cornish will dissolve as a nonprofit and cease to exist as a separate degree-granting institution and Seattle University will launch and operate Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University.

Expanding Arts Education and Opportunities for Students

The agreement is a significant milestone as Seattle University continues to elevate and enhance the arts and its arts education offerings in transformative ways for students. Plans also include the future Seattle University Museum of Art, a teaching museum that was kickstarted by a $300 million art gift—the largest ever to a university in the United States—by philanthropist Richard Hedreen in 2024.

Cornish’s renowned arts programs and heritage complement Seattle University’s Core and interdisciplinary arts programs, such as game arts and illustration and expanded opportunities in theater production, animation and other visual arts.

Seattle University’s arts infrastructure will be broadened with the addition of Cornish’s many creative and performance spaces—including Raisbeck Performance Hall, the state-of-the-art Raisbeck Auditorium and the Cornish Playhouse—as well as rehearsal spaces, studios, classrooms and housing options. Furthermore, Cornish’s highly regarded Behnke Family Gallery will complement Seattle University’s existing art collections and provide additional resources for students and faculty alike.

“We will expand arts education within our Jesuit approach to educating the whole person in a values-based and inclusively excellent manner,” Peñalver said. “This will foster interdisciplinary learning across arts, business and STEM and increase access to more creative and performance spaces.”

What Current and Incoming Cornish Students Can Expect

Students enrolled at Cornish who transition to SU will be able to complete their program and receive their degree from Seattle University as planned. Little is expected to change when it comes to the classroom and academic experience for students transitioning to SU. Additionally, Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University students will have access to the support services and a wide array of student life activities and programming available to all Seattle University students. This will include services and activities on the South Lake Union campus, in addition to those offered at Seattle University’s main campus on First Hill. Shuttle service between the two campuses will be available.

Next Steps

President Peñalver indicated SU will be quickly ramping up the work of its integration teams, several of which have already been engaging with their counterparts at Cornish, to ensure a seamless transition. Conditions of closing the transaction include receiving approval from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and review by the Washington State Attorney General.

For more information and updates, visit the new Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University web page and check out coverage on the news in the Seattle Times.