Community School of Music and Arts

Community School of Music and Arts Welcome to CSMA, Ithaca's home for creatives of all ages. At CSMA the emphasis is on learning, exploration and discovery. Member of Downtown Ithaca Alliance.

Visit us to join in on our arts classes, workshops, and private lessons, attend an event at Martha Hamblin Hall, or view the works on display in our gallery! About The Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA)

The Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) is located in downtown Ithaca, NY. For over 50 years, CSMA has provided instruction in the visual arts, music, dance, theater and languages for

students of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds, enriching the lives of more than 1700 students each year. Website: http://www.csma-ithaca.org/index.html Telephone: 607.272.1474 Address: 330 E Martin Luther King Jr. / State Street., Ithaca, NY 14850 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/csma.ithaca

The mission of the Community School of Music & Arts is "to provide quality instruction to any community member who desires to learn music and arts, to develop and offer cultural and artistic programs and events, and to serve as a resource for professional artists and musicians." Founded in Ithaca in 1960 in the home of Eunice and Clayton Weber, CSMA is now a private, 501 (C) (3), non-profit organization, governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees. When describing CSMA and its mission, one must look at its philosophy, a deep belief that the arts are an intimate part of human nature, and that instruction in music, dance, theater and art should be made available to any community member who desires to learn. CSMA commits its resources to students and faculty, and to the larger group of artists in the Ithaca community. The Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) is more than a place where students of all ages receive quality instruction in music, dance, theatre and the visual arts. The Community School has grown over the decades and now enrolls 1,700 students a year, taught by seventy faculty members with vast teaching experience, high academic and professional credentials, international standing, and a strong commitment to excellence. John Villani, author of “The 100 Best Small Towns in America", notes that the Community School of Music and Arts is noted for its art courses, and is praised for being "one of the nation’s best small-town centers for the arts." Each year need-based scholarships are awarded to students who qualify. The scholarship program is one way CSMA ensures that its mission is met: "... to provide quality instruction to any community member who desires to learn music and arts ...”

CSMA is a non-profit organization whose programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. CSMA is a Capstone Partner of the Community Arts Partnership (CAP) of Tompkins County. It is a recipient of CAP's United Arts Fund Program. http://www.csma-ithaca.org

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Does art imitate life, or does life imitate art? Our slow-draining parking lot is a headache for us when it rains, but f...
08/11/2026

Does art imitate life, or does life imitate art? Our slow-draining parking lot is a headache for us when it rains, but for one oil painting student it was an opportunity to flex their skills! When you donate to our reserve fund, you support our work in maintaining our beloved space — including our parking lot! Donate today: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/support-csmas-reserve-fund

Our August show is up! Stop by on Friday for the opening reception of Everyday and enjoy these works and more.
08/05/2026

Our August show is up! Stop by on Friday for the opening reception of Everyday and enjoy these works and more.

Join us this Friday, August 7th for the opening of Everyday! We'll see you in our gallery from 5-8 with art, refreshment...
08/04/2026

Join us this Friday, August 7th for the opening of Everyday! We'll see you in our gallery from 5-8 with art, refreshments, and a brief talk by Alan Bargar about his work.

We're so excited to announce that we're extending our open hours this summer! Drop in to beat the heat and enjoy our gal...
07/16/2026

We're so excited to announce that we're extending our open hours this summer! Drop in to beat the heat and enjoy our gallery space, schedule a private lesson, or book a practice room or studio space.

Don't miss your chance to see these beautiful quilts and more by the Tompkins County Quilters Guild in our gallery - thi...
07/13/2026

Don't miss your chance to see these beautiful quilts and more by the Tompkins County Quilters Guild in our gallery - this show ends at the end of July!

CSMA will be closed today — happy Fourth of July!
07/04/2026

CSMA will be closed today — happy Fourth of July!

This month, the Tompkins County Quilters Guild returns to our gallery! Join us for the opening reception on Friday, July...
07/01/2026

This month, the Tompkins County Quilters Guild returns to our gallery! Join us for the opening reception on Friday, July 3rd and enjoy the beautiful quilts on display. Opening reception is from 5-8pm in our gallery and is, as always, free. See you there!

Happy Juneteenth! CSMA will be closed today in celebration of the holiday. We look forward to seeing you when we reopen ...
06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth! CSMA will be closed today in celebration of the holiday. We look forward to seeing you when we reopen on Saturday at our normal hours.

Address

330 E Martin Luther King Jr/E State St
Ithaca, NY
14850

Opening Hours

Tuesday 2:30pm - 7pm
Wednesday 2:30pm - 7pm
Thursday 2:30pm - 7pm
Friday 2:30pm - 7pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm

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