The Creative Leave Program provides the opportunity for faculty to focus exclusively for one semester on the development of artistic, scholarly and/or teaching practices.

CalArts strongly believes that ongoing faculty professional development is fundamental to sustaining the strength of CalArts as an Institute dedicated to creative research and cultural innovation, and can demonstrably enhance teaching effectiveness and student experience. The achievements of our faculty of working artists and scholars, both directly and indirectly tied to pedagogy, make significant contributions in their disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields, enhance our institutional reputation for leadership in creative work and support our ability to attract and retain the most promising students.

Faculty Creative Leave Colloquium and Reports 

Our faculty’s professional work takes them all over the world playing concerts, holding workshops and clinics, showcasing at festivals, writing books and articles, conducting research, etc. Creative leaves provide opportunities for faculty to concentrate on their professional work, their métier, and then, in turn, to connect with, inspire, and teach our students via their accumulated knowledge and the ability to demonstrate the creative application of that knowledge.

During the semester following the creative leave, faculty must participate in an annual colloquium and submit a report sharing the activities and accomplishments of their leave with the broader CalArts community. Creative Leaves funded for AY 23/24 are:

Faculty Member
School
Leave Period
Scott Benzel Art Spring Semester
Colin Frazer Art Fall Semester
Chris Peters Art

Spring Semester
Shelley Stepp Art Spring Semester
Michael Worthington Art Spring Semester
Andrew Culp Critical Studies Spring Semester
Dimitri Chamblas Dance Fall Semester
Glen Eddy Dance Fall Semester
Ariel Osterweis Dance Fall Semester
Betzy Bromberg Film/Video

Spring Semester
Steven Brown Film/Video Spring Semester
Maija Burnett Film/Video Fall Semester
Linda Dorn Film/Video Fall Semester
Lee Anne Schmitt Film/Video

Spring Semester
Alexander Stewart Film/Video Spring Semester
Carmina Escobar Music Spring Semester
Marc Lowenstein Music

Spring Semester
Andrew McIntosh Music

Spring Semester
Paul Novros Music Spring Semester
Karen Tanaka Music Fall Semester
Wolfgang von Schweinitz Music Spring Semester
Christopher Barreca Theater Spring Semester
Adam J Smith Theater Spring Semester