' What young artists need is a school where they can learn a variety of skills, a place where there is cross-pollination'. - Walt Disney
Founded in 1961, the original vision for the California Institute of the Arts was to bring a variety of art forms together under one roof, to encourage innovation and experimentation, and it is a philosophy the school maintains to this day.
Also known as CalArts, the school offers degree programs in music, art, dance, film and video, animation, theatre, puppetry and writing. The school has also developed on-campus interdisciplinary laboratories, such as the Center for Experiments in Art, Information, and Technology, Center for Integrated Media, Center for New Performance at CalArts, and the Cotsen Center for Puppetry and the Arts.
CalArts is also a full member of the National Association of Schools of Music, Dance, and Theater. The institute's School of Art is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Courses at the California Institute of the Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts
Art
Graphic Design
Photography and Media
Dance
Film and Video
Experimental Animation
Character Animation
Music
Acting - with specialization in puppetry avaliable
Scene design
Costume Design
Lighting Design
Sound Design
Technical direction
Management Program

Master of Fine Arts
Art
Graphic Design
Photography and Media
Integrated Media Program in Art
Integrated Media Program in Photography and Media
Writing
Dance (with Integrated Media option)
Film and Video
Experimental Animation
Film Directing
Supplemental concentration in Integrated Media
Music
Directing
Writing for Performance
Scene design - with specializaition available in puppetry
Costume Design
Lighting Design
Sound Design
Technical direction
Management Program
Producing

Non-degree programs

Past students - established and famous artists
Eric Fischl
David Salle
Tim Burton
Michael Nguyen
Ry Cooder
Sofia Coppola
Barbara Bloom

Contact Details for the California Institute of the Arts
24700 McBean Parkway
Valencia, California 91355
http://www.calarts.edu