[March 6, 2025 – Valencia, Calif.] California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) announced today the appointment of Travis Cloyd as Producer in Residence and the inaugural Director of the D.R.E.A.M.S. (Digital Research Entertainment Arts Media Storytelling) Initiative, made possible by Tom Dolan and the Dolan Family Foundation, that brings experiential learning projects to students across disciplines preparing them for dynamic careers in the rapidly growing industry of location-based entertainment (LBE). The initiative, housed in The Patty Disney Center for Life and Work, will develop partnerships with leading entertainment companies for paid internship opportunities, create a student venture fund to teach skills around business project development, and offer micro-credentials to equip students beyond CalArts with industry-relevant skills.
An award-winning futurist, professor, producer, and entertainment executive, Cloyd has more than two decades of experience creating immersive stories that redefine how audiences engage with ideas and narratives. He’s collaborated with government agencies, Fortune 500 enterprises, top academic institutions, and A-list talent, working across film, immersive media, artificial intelligence, virtual production, and location-based entertainment. Previously, he served as Futurist-in-Residence at Florida International University (FIU) where he co-directed an immersive studio. Most recently, held the role of Global Futurist and Professor at the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
“Travis’ experience and connections position him to help expand CalArts’ project-based experiential learning deeper into the interactive and immersive arts space,” said CalArts President Ravi Rajan. “Through D.R.E.A.M.S., we are able to bring important industry leaders into the community, and with this initiative, we can ensure that students have access to cutting-edge tools, resources, and industry opportunities.”
The launch of the D.R.E.A.M.S. Initiative comes as the location based entertainment industry is experiencing rapid growth, with theme parks, museums, and stadium venues rethinking how audiences engage with content.
“We are positioning CalArts students to be at the forefront of this evolving field, equipping them with the skills and industry connections to shape the future of immersive media,” Cloyd said. “With D.R.E.A.M.S., we will inspire the next generation of storytellers through experiential learning and transformative opportunities.”
For Cloyd, this appointment is also a homecoming, as he is a fourth-generation Santa Clarita native. His grandfather, William C. Cloyd, was a distinguished architect who helped shape many of the Santa Clarita Valley’s structures, and his father, Bill Cloyd Jr., a premier custom home builder. Cloyd says he was captivated by CalArts’ legacy, Walt Disney’s vision, and the institution’s pioneering spirit from a young age.
“Growing up in Santa Clarita, I saw CalArts as the ultimate destination for innovation in the arts, a place to push the boundaries of storytelling, design, and technology. To be stepping into this role is truly a full-circle moment for me.”
For more on the D.R.E.A.M.S. initiative, visit calarts.edu/dreams-initiative.
California Institute of the Arts has set the pace for educating professional artists since 1970. Offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater—CalArts has championed creative excellence, critical reflection, and the development of new forms and expressions. As successive generations of faculty and alumni have helped shape the landscape of contemporary arts, the Institute first envisioned and founded by Walt Disney encompasses a vibrant, eclectic community with global reach, inviting experimentation, independent inquiry, and active collaboration and exchange among artists, artistic disciplines, and cultural traditions.