A student stands in front of a wall of posters, pointing to one and speaking about it.
Ally Sutton's BFA 3 Graphic Design final review in April 2024.

California Institute of the Arts is renowned internationally as a game-changer in the education of professional artists. The transformative cultural impact of our alumni shows why: We bring out visionary creative talent unlike any other university, school or conservatory. An all-inclusive community for a diversity of authentic voices, CalArts today offers more than 70 comprehensive degree programs in the visual, performing, media and literary arts.

Brandon Stirling Baker Earns Tony Nomination

The Tony Award nominations, which honor excellence in live Broadway theater, were announced on April 30 with lighting designer and... The post Brandon Stirling Baker Earns Tony Nomination first appeared on 24700.

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CalArtians Nominated for 2024 Grammys

On Friday, Nov. 10, the Recording Academy announced the nominees for the 66th Grammy Awards, with several CalArtians among 98... The post CalArtians Nominated for 2024 Grammys first appeared on 24700.

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CalArtians Earn Emmy Award Nominations

Nominations for the 75th Emmy Awards were announced on July 12 with a number of CalArts’ alums earning nominations that recognized their work for exceptional storytelling in television and across multiple platforms.

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Calendar of Events

Alumni Stories

Daron Nefcy

Daron Nefcy

I was pitching ideas for shows while I was still a student at CalArts. My first job out was on Warner Bros.’ MAD. It ran on Cartoon Network for many seasons and was cool because I got to make my own mini films. Then, I worked at Nickelodeon as a storyboard revisionist on Robot and Monster. I pitched Star to Disney and, eventually, it went into development. It took a year to make the pilot, and when that was done, I took a job on Wander Over Yonder at Disney, a Craig McCracken show. Now, I’m full-time on Star, which is in its second season.

I think the reason so many alumni are running shows, is that all animation students at CalArts have to make their own films every year. Producing a TV show is like making a bunch of mini CalArts films—except that you have a whole team helping you—and you have to make them extremely quickly. But the experience of learning every part of the process is so important. While you’re learning to write and storyboard, you’re also animating, finding actors, getting music, and editing. You graduate with four films, and, of course, your final film is much better than the first. It’s inspiring to be at CalArts. Everyone’s artistic style is different. You’re pretty much living with these people; working in cubicles that are open all night. It’s like being in the trenches with all these wonderful artists with whom you form close relationships. It’s really a special, special place.