2026 School of Art + Art History + Design Graduation Celebration

Saturday June 13th, 9:00 - 11:00 am, 2026  /  Meany Hall, UW Seattle Campus

Who is eligible to participate in the School of Art + Art History + Design Graduation Celebration?

All undergraduate and graduate students who graduated in Autumn 2025 or Winter 2026 are eligible, as well as students who apply for Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 graduation.

How do I know if I have applied to graduate from UW?

Check your MyUW for your graduation date.  If none is listed, then you did not apply. The deadline to apply for graduation is the third week of the quarter in which you intend to graduate.

What are you doing to ensure COVID safety?

The public health guidelines for the UW Commencement at Husky Stadium also apply to departmental graduation celebrations. 

Do I have to wear a cap and gown to the SoA+AH+D Graduation Celebration?

Cap and gown is strongly encouraged.  Order your cap and gown on the UW Commencement website between in early to mid-May (exact dates TBD): https://www.washington.edu/graduation/

Even if you ARE NOT attending UW Commencement, you must purchase your cap and gown from the UW Commencement celebration website. SoA+AH+D doesn't issue cap and gowns. 

Are tickets required for the SoA+AH+D Graduation Celebration?

Yes – Tickets are required for both undergraduates and graduates. Graduating students must register online for tickets. Graduating students may request up to five tickets for guests; one ticket will be automatically issued to the student. Registration will open in April. Ticket registration is open until end-of-day Friday, May 22nd. 

How many guests will I be able to bring?

In order to accommodate our graduating students – both undergraduates and graduates -  and their immediate family/friends, tickets are limited six total: one for the graduating student and up to five for their guests. 

NOTE: All guests need tickets, except infants (babes in arms). Toddlers are not infants; they will need to have a ticket for their own seat.

Where do I pick up my tickets?

You can pick up your guaranteed tickets from the Art Advising Office, 104 ART, during the last week of classes: beginning Tuesday, May 26th through Thursday, May 28th. The office is normally open 9am-3pm Monday - Thursday (closed for lunch from 12-1pm). Note that the office will be closed Monday May 25th for the Memorial Day holiday.

Can I order extra tickets?

We cannot guarantee that additional tickets will become available, but if they do, we will distribute them to those who sign up on the wait list.

 If extra tickets are available, students will be notified June 1st through June 5th, we will notify you by email beginning Monday, June 1st through Friday June 5th.

What happens if we show up late on the day of the Celebration?

Meany Hall cannot guarantee seating for late arriving guests, even if they have tickets. Graduates must check in between 8:00 and 8:30 am to participate in the event. The doors to the main auditorium open to guests at 8:00 am; the event begins promptly at 9:00 am.

What if one of my guests does not have a ticket?

Guests without tickets will not be admitted to Meany Hall prior to 9am.  After that time and of the Meany Hall staff discretion, guests without tickets may be seated if space is available.

If I'm a graduating student, do I need a ticket?

Yes! Your ticket will have your name on it - we use this to call your name as you walk across the stage during the celebration.

Make sure you have your ticket in hand when you arrive at the Meany Studio Theatre.

Where is Meany Hall?

Meany Hall is located on the UW campus across from By George / Odegaard, close to 15th Street and NE Campus Parkway: https://www.washington.edu/maps/#!/mny  Click here for further directions: https://meanycenter.org/visit/directions-parking

Where should we park?

The UW parking facility closest to Meany Hall is the Central Plaza parking garage.  If you and your guests wish to park on campus, then you MUST order and pre-pay for parking permits.  Do that at the UW Commencement website at the same time you order your cap and gown.

NOTE:  If guests exit the parking garage on the Meany Studio Theatre level (C1), they will have to climb several sets of stairs to reach the Meany Hall auditorium.  For easy access to the auditorium, please follow signs for Meany Hall/Meany Theater which will take guests via ramps to an elevator that goes directly to the lobby level of Meany Hall.  Ramps leading to these elevators are available on levels C2, C3, C4, and C5 of the Central Plaza Garage.

Is there assigned seating?

There is OPEN SEATING only, except for guests needing special seating accommodations (see below).

One of my guests uses a wheelchair.  Another one of my guests is not able to use stairs. What do we do?

If you anticipate any guest who may need special seating accommodations due to limited mobility (including wheelchairs), please refer to the contact information on the registration form.

Where can I request additional disability accommodations?

The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodations, contact the UW Disability Services Office at least 10 days in advance at 206-543-6450 (voice), 206-543-1415 (TTY), or dhhreq@uw.edu , 206-685-7264 (fax), or for general disability requests, dso@uw.edu.

Will my name be pronounced correctly?

Our goal is to pronounce each graduate's name correctly. We will verify the pronunciation of your name with you when we issue tickets. 

Are children welcome?

Yes! Your immediate family and friends, including children, are welcome (children need tickets too, see above).  Please note that fire code prohibits balloons, car seats or carriers, and strollers in the auditorium.  If you bring any of those items, they will have to be left in the lobby of Meany Hall during the formal portion of the event.

Why do students have to show up so early?

We need time to get everyone lined up in order to get all the graduates ready for the processional into the Meany Hall auditorium. Graduating students should arrive between 8:00 - 8:30am to line up. 

Where are students supposed to show up?

At the northeast corner of Meany Hall (top of the stairs on Red Square) is an entryway that goes down to a small urban courtyard and the Studio Theatre.  Students check in at the Studio Theatre and then wait there until the processional begins.  NOTE:  the Studio Theatre is not a secure place for purses, wallets, and other valuables.  Leave your valuables with family members. Graduating students should arrive between 8:00 - 8:30am to line up! 

I want to sit next to my friends during the ceremony - can I do that?

Yes.  Just be sure to meet up with the people you want to sit with.  We are not seating students alphabetically. 

When can my family and friends get into Meany Hall?

The doors to the Meany auditorium open at 8 am. 

Will I get my diploma during the event?

You will receive a commemorative certificate during the event.

Official graduate diplomas will be mailed to students once they have graduated officially (see next question). Diplomas are mailed approximately 2--4 months after the degree has been awarded. Any questions concerning diplomas or replacement diploma orders, email diploma@uw.edu 

If I attend this event and/or UW Commencement, have I graduated?

No.  Attending the graduation celebration and/or UW Commencement has nothing to do with your degree being awarded.  Your degree will be awarded once all your degree requirements have been met.  Be sure and check the information the UW Academic Records & Graduations Office sent you when you applied to graduate. 

Once you have completed all your requirements, verify that you received your degree by checking your unofficial transcript through MyUW. 

Still have questions we haven't answered? Call us at 206-543-0646 -  or email uaskart@uw.edu

We look forward to seeing you on June 13th for a fabulous morning!