The California Institute of the Arts, commonly known as CalArts, and located in Valencia, California, grants degrees in visual and performing arts. Incorporated in 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 it was 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.

It offers degree programs in music, art, dance, film, video, theater, and writing (critical studies). CalArts is most famous for its Character Animation program. Alumni include award-winning filmmakers, performers and artists. Distinguished alumni include animators Chuck Jones, Tim Burton, Jim Reardon , Brad Bird, and Craig McCracken.

Here is a list of the offered degree programs available at CalArts.

Art: Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Photography and Media

Critical Studies: MFA Writing, Interschool Writing

Dance: Various Dance Programs

Film/Video: Film and Video, Experimental Animation, Character Animation (BFA), Film Directing (MFA)

Music: Composition, Composition New Media (MFA), Performer/Composer, Performer/Composer: African American, Improvisational Music (MFA), Music Technology (BFA), Performance, Musical Arts (BFA)

Theater: Acting, Directing (MFA), Writing for Performance (MFA), Design and Production, Costume, Lighting, Management, Producing (MFA), Scene Props, Scene Puppetry, Scene Painting, Sound, Technical Direction

External link

• http://www.calarts.edu