California Institute of the Arts

What is the history of California Institute of the Arts?

California Institute of the Arts, usually called CalArts, was established in 1961 through the combination of the Chouinard Art Institute and the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. Walt Disney supported the idea of bringing different artistic disciplines together in one institution, but CalArts is an independent college, not a Disney campus.

The institute opened its Valencia campus in 1971. Its combination of visual art, performance, music, film, and critical study remains central to its identity. That history helps explain why a prospective animator, dancer, composer, or theater designer may encounter collaborators from other schools while studying a specialized discipline.

What are the faculties and departments at California Institute of the Arts?

CalArts organizes its academic programs into six schools: Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater. It offers undergraduate and graduate arts degrees, with requirements that vary substantially by school and program.

Examples include art and graphic design in the School of Art; character animation and experimental animation in Film/Video; performance and composition pathways in Music; and acting, design, and production work in Theater. Critical Studies includes writing and other work that examines art and culture. Students comparing programs should look beyond the degree title: studio access, performance expectations, critique practices, and the amount of prescribed coursework can differ considerably.

What is the location of California Institute of the Arts?

CalArts is in Valencia, a community within the city of Santa Clarita, north of central Los Angeles. Its campus is in a suburban setting rather than in an urban arts district.

That distinction matters for commuting and internships. Students may seek opportunities across the Los Angeles region, but travel times depend heavily on traffic and whether they have a car. Santa Clarita has local transit and a Metrolink connection to the wider region; neither makes every off-campus destination a short trip. Hollywood Burbank Airport is a practical regional airport to consider, although the best route to campus depends on the traveler's destination and ground transportation.

What is the mission and vision of California Institute of the Arts?

CalArts states that its educational purpose is to develop artists through intensive practice, experimentation, critical inquiry, and interaction across disciplines. Its academic structure reflects that aim by placing several kinds of arts education within one institute.

This is a statement of institutional priorities, not a promise about any student's creative or professional outcome. Applicants may find it useful to ask how their intended program balances independent work, faculty critique, collaboration, and technical training. CalArts is not a religiously affiliated institution.