Institute Archive

The California Institute of the Arts, commonly known as CalArts, is located in Valencia, California, and grants degrees in the visual and performing arts. Incorporated on September 1, 1961, it was the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the performing arts. It was the dream and vision of Walt Disney to create such an institute and he provided funding for it in his will. Initially formed through the merger of the Chouinard Art Institute (founded 1921) and the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music (founded 1883), it opened at its present campus in Valencia, California, in November 1971.

Collections

The Institute Archive’s collections contain documents, photographs,
publications, clippings, programs, sound files, video recordings,
posters, and miscellaneous items documenting the history of CalArts. There are also a small number of documents, primarily publications, from Chouinard Art School and the Los Angeles Music Conservatory, two institutions which merged in the late 1960’s to form CalArts.

Finding Aids:
Guide to the California Institute of the Arts Archive 1914-1989 [bulk 1960-1985] (pdf) CalArts-001
The California Institute of the Arts Archive contains administrative
records, financial material, faculty and student materials, fundraising
and development records, and other materials documenting the planning and establishment of CalArts. Included are materials relating to the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music and the Chouinard Art Institute; the predecessor institutions for CalArts. The collection also documents the involvement of Walt Disney in the formation of CalArts.

Guide to the California Institute of the Arts Publications Collection
1964-2009 [bulk 1971-2000] (pdf) CalArts-002
The California Institute of the Arts Publications Collection contains
books, directories, handbooks, magazines, newsletters, and other
materials documenting a variety of aspects of CalArts including academics, campus events, creative endeavors, and student life.

Guide to the California Institute of the Arts Feminist Art Materials
Collection 1971-2007 [bulk 1972-1977] (pdf) CalArts-003
The California Institute of the Arts Feminist Art Materials Collection
contains articles, brochures, correspondence, exhibition catalogs,
invoices, newsletters, and other materials documenting the influence of feminism on the training of artists and the making of art.

Guide to the California Institute of the Arts Photographic Materials
Collection 1964-1993 [bulk 1970-1980] (pdf) CalArts-004
The California Institute of the Arts Photographic Materials Collection
consists of photographic images documenting the history of the
California Institute of the Arts. Included in the collection are images of architectural design, building and construction, campus
scenes, people, events and activities related to CalArts. Formats
include negatives, contact sheets and prints.

Video recordings documenting the history of CalArts as well as
recordings of faculty and guest artist interviews, lectures, classes and performances are able to be searched in our library's catalog. To browse this collection, perform an advanced search for "ARC" choose 'any of these' within 'Call Number' AND "California
Institute of the Arts" choose 'as a phrase' within 'Keyword Anywhere'. Materials may be viewed in the library's Visual Arts
Center.

Online Archive of California (OAC)
The OAC is a research gateway to unique and historical materials at archives, libraries, and museums throughout California. Use the OAC to search all of CalArts' archival collections at once and to discover other institutions in California that have materials related to CalArts.

View materials

Some materials in the Institute Archive are made available to the public by appointment. If you wish to use our archives, please do the following:

1. Complete the Archive Request Form (pdf)

2. Make a list of what you would like to view using the Institute Archive/Finding Aids links found above in the section, 'Collections.' Please list materials in the following manner:
Title of Collection
Series (or subseries) number and title
Folder title
Box and folder numbers
For example:
Photographic Materials Collection. Series 1. Negatives, 1969-1992. 1970-0002, Brownie Tours, 1972. 1:2

3. Send the Archive Request Form, your list of materials, and proposed dates of research (giving at least one month's notice) to:

Susan Lowenberg
libraryarchive@calarts.edu
Division of Library and Information Resources
24700 McBean Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
661.253.7888

Upon receipt, the archive will review the request and then arrange an appointment.

Archive viewing hours are 9:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (September-May) and 9:30am-4:30pm Monday-Thursday (May-August)