About us
The Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry is the research laboratory for the College of Fine Arts, where faculty, staff, and students develop works that reach beyond the classroom and the campus.
The STUDIO is operated by a team of research and business support specialists who help shape your proposals, seek out novel technology, and workshop ideas ranging from nascent experiments to public spectacles. Get research support from the STUDIO by applying for our in-house grant programs, or contact us to meet about your practice.
Sign up to receive our newsletter with notifications about upcoming opportunities, activities, and new works from CMU’s extended community of artists and scholars.
Get involved in active STUDIO research
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Sonifying Architecture Working Group
This working group investigates the acoustic properties of unusually sonified materials including polymers and 1099 steel. The group held its…
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Pong Ping Pong (1971) Restoration Working Group
Bill Brand performs Pong Ping Pong supported by Pittsburgh Sound + Image and the STUDIO. This working group is formed…
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Soft to Structure Working Group
The Soft To Structure working group headed by Vernelle Noel (CM-Architecture) with Olivia Robinson (IDEATE – ETC), Jim McCann (Robotics)…
Upcoming events & News
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Will Rinkoff (C_Robo) + Char Stiles: Artist Talk
October 22 2026 5:30–6:30 PM
BIG ALUMNI RETURN from Char Stiles and c_robo giving artist talks in the STUDIO Thursday 10/22 at 5:30 and Saturday performances at Detour’s…
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Meshwork Festival — Accepting Student Commission Proposals
February 25 2027–February 28 2027
About Meshwork Meshwork is a new visual music festival in Pittsburgh, tracing spaces where sound and image converge, movement becomes…
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Harrison Apple Named Director of CMU’s Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry
Harrison passes the microphone to Mame Niang (LCAL) during a Computational Textiles workshop organized with Vernelle Noel (CM-Architecture), Olivia Robinson…
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The Animated Works Of James Duesing
November 5 2026 7:30–9:00 PM
Tickets here! CMU affiliates use code “KeylightJD” Presented in partnership w/ Keylight Join us for a collection of short animated…
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2025-2026 Sylvia and David Steiner Speaker Series Annual Report
Download this year’s Steiner Book About the Steiner Fund The Sylvia and David Steiner Speaker Series brings creative practitioners who push…
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The Urban Classroom Public Lecture with Vicky Achnani and Vikki Ayanna Jones
October 7 2026 5:30–7:30 PM
In an era of environmental reckoning and social unrest, architectural practice and pedagogy must cultivate a community-centered discipline that serves…
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Five Lessons on Caregiving: From Wilderness to Survival w/ Virginia Eubanks
October 28 2026 5:00–7:00 PM
RSVP HERE
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Sacred Harp Workshop
October 28 2026 11:00–12:20 PM
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Expansion of Crochet Stitch Mesh Functionality (2026 FUCKERY Award)
Crochet is a textile fabrication technique where surfaces are created from manipulating yarn into loops with a hooked tool. Research…
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R&J (2026 Maddy Varner Award)
Julia He sank her teeth into producing and funding an independent production of Romeo and Juliet, reimagined as Shakespeare’s R&J by Joe…