about the twin cities

Life at CVA is all about observing and connecting. It’s a place where students, faculty, and staff engage in the myriad of experiences that spring from our campus on the bluffs of the Mississippi and connect to the broad world around it. Opportunities to meet, get involved, and become a part of our rich fabric of life abound—from student clubs and student government to peer mentoring and collegewide academic and social activities.

CVA maintains strong ties to the thriving Twin Cities’ art and graphic design communities. Our students often exhibit at area art galleries and alternative spaces, and participate in chapter meetings of AIGA, the professional association for design—all which provide productive professional networking opportunities.

Professional Advisory Committee

Saint Paul and Minneapolis

CVA is located along Saint Paul’s historic Summit Avenue and Ramsey Hill neighborhood, situated in the heart of one of the world’s most rich, lively arts and design communities. Five major art museums (including the Walker Art Center and the renowned Minneapolis Institute of Arts), seven history museums, several science museums, and an explosion of local art and art galleries, including our own gallery and several others within our campus neighborhood are all easily accessible to our students.  Music, theater, ballet, comedy, and opera also thrive here and our students take full advantage of the vibrant culture. In addition to the fine arts, the Twin Cities are home to four major sports teams, a flourishing acoustic, garage, and indie rock band scene, and hundreds of parks.  Saint Paul and Minneapolis are consistently rated among the Top 10 Best Places to Live in America.

Campus Neighborhood

Saint Paul’s bustling Ramsey Hill neighborhood and historic Summit Avenue encapsulate the CVA campus. The former, a Saint Paul Heritage Preservation District and the latter, a National Historic District, are both known for the historic houses, churches, synagogues, and schools that are scattered throughout neighborhoods marked by broad boulevards, parks, and lively corner businesses. Here, students rent apartments that are near the campus and only steps away from unique restaurants, bookstores, galleries, coffee shops, boutiques, and music and sporting venues. The Office for Student Life provides up-to-date housing information and, on request, roommate matching. Meetings with area apartment owners, managers, and residents willing to sublet can also be facilitated by the Office for Student Life.