California Institute of the Arts

The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) occupies a hillside campus in Valencia, California, approximately 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Founded in 1961 through the merger of the Chouinard Art Institute and the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music, CalArts emerged as Walt Disney's vision for an interdisciplinary arts institution. The campus features contemporary architecture with specialized facilities including multiple theaters, sound stages, animation studios, and dedicated performance spaces. As a private arts institution, CalArts maintains selective admission processes for its six schools: Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater. The institution is particularly recognized for its animation program, which has produced numerous industry leaders in film and television, while also maintaining strong programs in experimental film, modern dance, and contemporary music composition.