Founded in 1914. That’s the year Nellie Cornish established what is now Cornish College of the Arts. What began as the Cornish School of Music has evolved into a multidisciplinary arts college.
Cornish College of the Arts stands as a testament to Nellie Cornish’s vision. She was a piano teacher with a dream. Her dream was to create an “elementary school of the arts”. Music was to be its major subject.
Initially, Cornish focused on teaching children. It soon expanded to include a teachers’ college. Within three years, over 600 students enrolled. It became the largest music school west of Chicago.
Nellie Cornish had a knack for spotting talent. She added classes like eurhythmics, French language, and painting. Dance and theater also became part of the curriculum. By 1923, opera and modern dance were added. The school’s name changed to The Cornish School in 1920. Music was no longer the sole focus.
Let’s talk about the campus of Cornish College of the Arts. It operates across three areas. These are Capitol Hill, Denny Triangle, and Seattle Center. Kerry Hall is on Capitol Hill. It is the original 1921 building. The PONCHO Concert Hall is inside and seats 200. Kerry Hall’s design is Spanish Colonial Revival style. Abraham H. Albertson designed it. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Main Campus is in Denny Triangle. It opened in 2003. The William Volker Building is here. It has an Art Deco style from 1928. Raisbeck Performance Hall stands here too. It was built in 1915. Cornish Commons opened in 2015. It is a 20-story building with a residence hall. Studios and meeting rooms are also inside.
Located at Seattle Center is the Cornish Playhouse. It is the college’s premier performance venue. It was built for the 1962 Century 21 Exposition. The City of Seattle leased it to Cornish in 2013.
The library at Cornish College of the Arts is impressive. It has 4,700 CDs and 40,000 books. There are also 2,200 videos. It subscribes to 154 periodicals.
Many notable alumni have walked these halls. Actors Brendan Fraser and Jinkx Monsoon are graduates. Fine artists like Aleah Chapin and Heather Hart studied here. Musicians such as Jeff Eden Fair and Mary Lambert honed their skills at Cornish. Dancers Merce Cunningham and Robert Joffrey also have connections to Cornish.
Cornish College of the Arts is more than just a school. It is a place where creativity thrives. It prepares students to contribute to society as artists. Cornish nurtures intellectual curiosity. It fosters innovation. It embraces diversity. Cornish shapes the future of the arts.
In December 2024, Cornish announced a merger with Seattle University. They plan to finalize it by May 2025. Both colleges will maintain separate campuses. Cornish will continue its legacy. It will remain a vital part of Seattle’s artistic community.