Institute Archive

Mission Statement

The mission of the CalArts Institute Archive is to identify, collect, arrange, describe, preserve, and make accessible records of enduring historical, administrative, legal, fiscal, educational, and artistic value which document the history of CalArts, REDCAT, CNP, and CAP. The Institute Archive serves as the institutional memory and final repository for official records generated by faculty, staff, students, academic programs, administrative offices, and campus organizations.

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
1964-2013 [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.

Course Catalogs (campus and school) 2011- 2013

Archives for East of Borneo

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.

Guide to the California Institute of the Arts School of Art Collection (1969-1976; 1984-1991) [bulk 1970-1972] (pdf) CalArts-006
The California Institute of the Arts’ School of Art was established in 1970 and existed until 1976, when it merged with the California Institute of the Arts’ School of Design to become the School of Art and Design, a merger that lasted until 1984. In 1984, the School of Art and Design became the School of Art. Collection consists of administrative, curricular, exhibition and event materials, black-and-white portrait photographs, and newspaper clippings related to the School of Art.

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.

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.

Reference Requests, Viewing Materials, and Reproducing Materials

Please use this web form for reference requests, for requests to view archival materials in the library or to have photocopies/scans made of materials. In-person and phone requests are not accepted.

Please make your request as far in advance as is possible. Please allow 1-2 weeks for the processing of reference or viewing requests and 2-4 weeks for the making of photocopies or digital scans.

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

Have questions? Please contact:
Kathy Carbone, Institute Archivist
kcarbone@calarts.edu
661.253.7882