The idea for the school started in 1878, when a group of women formed the Columbus Art Association.

Use of that floor had been donated by Francis Sessions, an art-minded banker and entrepreneur and one of the first trustees of the Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts.

In 1923, the school, which had been run by the Columbus Art Association but funded by the gallery, merged into one board.

Through this merger, the Columbus Art Association became extinct, and the trustees of the gallery created a school committee board.

The Sessions House and Monypeny Mansion were torn down to make way for Beaton Hall and a new Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts building.

As Dean, Canzani put together introductory courses in drawing, color theory and design principles.

In 1962, students picketed in front of the Columbus Museum of Art for the college to become a degree granting institution.

In 1969, CCAD received authorization by the Ohio Board of Regents to grant the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Canzani returned from a meeting in Kansas City to learn that the museum's board was on the verge of merging CCAD with Franklin University.

CCAD bought many of the houses on Cleveland Avenue between Long and Gay, converting them into classrooms and offices.

In 2006, CCAD bought the Byers Building, a 1920s auto dealership at the corner of Broad Street and Cleveland Avenue, for $4.5 million.

[3] The board of trustees named the Industrial designer and branding expert Tom White as Griffith's successor.

Through its Saturday Morning Art Classes, Creative Summer Workshops, and College Preview program, the college offers a wide variety of community classes for all ages, including children and youth grades 1–12 and adults.

CCAD is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission.

[6] The annual Chroma: Best of CCAD exhibition showcases outstanding student work from across the college's academic programs.

Senior Fashion Design students show their collections on the runway at one of the biggest annual events.

The magazine's review process involves an editorial staff of writers and artists consisting of students and faculty.