The Council works with the Institute through the Office of Alumnx and Family Engagement to provide initiatives and resources that support fellow graduates. Council leaders include a Chair and a Representative to the Board of Trustees. Each member has generously volunteered their time to reinforce the CalArts community.

Council Members

Representative to the Board of Trustees: Meg Cranston  (Art MFA 86; Chair of Fine Arts, Otis College of Art and Design) Liaison for broad strategies that impact students and alumnx.

Recent Graduates Leader: Clarissa Crawford (Theater MFA 15; Theater Producer) Initiatives that address and support the needs of recent grads, especially those from the last five years.

Campus in the Community Leader: John D'Amico (Critical Studies MA 09; Former Mayor of West Hollywood; current West Hollywood City Councilperson) Strengthening the Institute's presence and relationship with the communities of Santa Clarita and Los Angeles.

Bridges Leader: Alexi Gehring (Photography and Media BFA 00, Film/Video MFA 03; Fine Arts Photographer and Experimental Video Artist) Creating bridges back to the Institute through on-campus involvement and support offered to alumnx out in the world.

Chouinard Leader (retired): Larry LeGras (Chouinard BFA 60; Fashion and Costume Designer) Boosting connection and engagement between Chouinard and CalArts community, and keeping the legacy vibrant for today's students.

Pathways Leader: Kali Nikitas (Art MFA 90; Graphic Designer; Chair, Communication Arts and MFA Graphic Design Program, Otis College of Art and Design; Arts Commissioner at Large, City of Inglewood). Building support for alumnx leaving CalArts, entering into lives and careers that may be non-traditional.

Chair: John Schwerbel (Music BFA 14, Artistic Planning Coordinator, Los Angeles Philharmonic) Leadership of Council activities and initiatives

 

Alumnx Council Seed Grants 

Alumnx Council Grants are a way the Institute gives back to alumnx artists through seed funding for projects and happenings that promote alumnx community connection, collaboration, inclusion, and impact on the arts. Proposals that are collaborative, experimental, reflect our community’s diversity, and involve the participation of multiple alumnx are encouraged. This initiative values partnership among CalArts, the alumnx community, and the Alumnx Council.   

Grants may be applied toward expenses such as, but not limited to, production, equipment, rentals, supplies, hospitality, printing, promotions, etc. Proposed projects should be open to/shareable with the alumnx community; weblinks, prints, exhibits, RSVP and/or registration (for events) are allowable and recommended. The goal is for the end product to be accessible to the alumnx community.    

Ten grants of $250 each will be awarded between two cycles (five in each cycle) in the 2018-19 year. These grants are funded by the Office of Alumnx Engagement via the CalArts Fund, the primary vehicle by which alumnx support their schools, scholarships, students, and initiatives such as this. 

Application Deadline     Award Notification Disbursement 
 Fall Cycle: Thursday, November 8, 5pm PST December 1  By December 15 
Spring Cycle: Thursday, March 21, 5PM PST  April 11   By April 30


Alumnx Council Seed Grant Application

To lend your support to the CalArts Fund, which helps to contribute to initiatives like the Alumnx Council Grants, click on the button below: 

Give to the CalArts Fund