Academic calendar
Fall Term 2026 runs Sep 14, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Fall Term 2026Relevant now
- Spring Term 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 20 of 20 terms
A
- Academy Way
- The primary street on campus where the student residential housing and studios are located.
- AiR
- Artist-in-Residence; the title given to the head of each of the 11 departments who acts as both faculty and mentor.
C
- CAA
- Cranbrook Academy of Art.
- CAM
- Cranbrook Art Museum, which is integrated into the Academy's campus and curriculum.
- CEC
- Cranbrook Educational Community, the umbrella organization for the Academy, Schools, and Institute.
- CIS
- Cranbrook Institute of Science, located on the same campus grounds.
- Crit
- Short for 'Critique,' the intensive formal evaluation of student work by faculty and peers.
D
- Department
- The primary social and academic unit (e.g., '2D', '3D', 'Fiber') which functions as a student's home base.
- Departmental
- Refers to meetings, critiques, or social events that are exclusive to one of the specific programs of study.
N
- New Studios
- The Williams Hall residential and studio complex, distinct from the historic Saarinen-designed spaces.
O
- Old Studios
- The original Eliel Saarinen-designed studio and residential wings.
- Open Studios
- The major annual event where students open their private workspaces to the public to show their work.
T
- The Apartments
- The designated graduate student housing units located on the Academy grounds.
- The Bubble
- A term used to describe the isolated, immersive nature of the Cranbrook campus environment.
- The Cafe
- The casual dining spot located within the Cranbrook Art Museum.
- The Forum
- The weekly all-Academy gathering featuring lectures, presentations, and community announcements.
- The Ref
- Short for The Refectory, the main dining hall serving the Cranbrook Educational Community.
- The Refectory
- The central dining facility where Academy students, staff, and faculty eat.
- The Residences
- General term used by students and administration to refer to the on-campus living quarters.
- The Studios
- The combined living and working spaces where graduate students reside and practice.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- Central Media Lab
- The campus hub for digital fabrication, printing, and technical equipment checkout.
- Open Studios
- The major annual event where students open their private workspaces to the public.
- Saarinen House
- The historic home of Eliel Saarinen, often used for tours and special Academy events.
- The Gatehouse
- The main security and information hub where students check in and handle ID-related issues.
- The Hub
- The online portal used for student records, registration, and campus information.
- The Library
- The Cranbrook Academy of Art Library, specializing in art, craft, and design resources.
- The Mailroom
- The central distribution point for student and department mail, located near the museum complex.
- The Peristyle
- The iconic covered walkway and colonnade that connects the Art Museum and the Library.
- The Shop
- The central wood and metal fabrication facility available for student use.
- The Studios
- The individual buildings dedicated to each of the 11 departments (e.g., 2D, 3D, Architecture).
- Triton Pool
- The central fountain and pool area featuring Carl Milles sculptures, a common campus landmark.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall Term 2026 runs Sep 14, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 20 approved campus terms and 11 local details are included in full.
- Are all approved campus terms included?
- Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
- Where does this guide come from?
- Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.