CalArts: Walt Disney's Vision for a Multidisciplinary Art School and Its Legacy in Animation and Conceptual Art
A promotional film for CalArts was showcased at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on August 27, 1964, just before the debut of Mary Poppins. The 15-minute film, narrated by Sebastian Cabot, presented Walt Disney's aspirations for the institution, which was established in 1961 through the merger of the Chouinard Art Institute and the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. Disney envisioned creating a 'CalTech of the arts' to attract distinguished artists. CalArts officially opened its doors in 1970, featuring a campus designed by Ladd & Kelsey. Noteworthy faculty members included John Baldessari and Allan Kaprow. In 1971, Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro initiated the first feminist art program. Among its alumni are Tim Burton and John Lasseter, and CalArts remains a hub for training animation professionals today.
Key facts
- CalArts was formed in 1961 by merging the Chouinard Art Institute and the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music.
- Walt Disney presented his vision for CalArts in a promotional film at the premiere of Mary Poppins on August 27, 1964, at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
- Disney aimed to create a 'CalTech of the arts' with a multidisciplinary curriculum inspired by the concept of Gesamtkunstwerk.
- Disney died in 1966 before seeing his dream realized; Robert W. Corrigan and Herbert Blau led the school's development.
- CalArts opened in 1970, and its campus, designed by Ladd & Kelsey, was inaugurated in 1971 and nicknamed the 'Magic Mausoleum' by students.
- John Baldessari founded the 'Post Studio' class in 1970, using 109 assignments that influenced artists like Mike Kelley and Jim Shaw.
- Allan Kaprow led about 100 students to Vasquez Rocks in 1970 for the project Publicity, which was filmed and broadcast live.
- In 1971, CalArts hosted the first feminist art program in U.S. higher education, founded by Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro, leading to the 'Womanhouse' project.
Entities
Artists
- Walt Disney
- Sebastian Cabot
- Robert W. Corrigan
- Herbert Blau
- John Baldessari
- Mike Kelley
- Jim Shaw
- Allan Kaprow
- Judy Chicago
- Miriam Schapiro
- Elmer Plummer
- Tim Burton
- John Lasseter
Institutions
- CalArts
- Chouinard Art Institute
- Los Angeles Conservatory of Music
- Grauman's Chinese Theatre
- Académie Julian
- Black Mountain College
- Bauhaus
- École de Vitebsk
- Beaux Arts Magazine
- Ladd & Kelsey
- Pixar
- New York University
- Cal State Fresno
- Though the Flower Archives
- Penn State University Archives
- Mrac – Musée régional d'art contemporain Occitanie / Pyrénées Méditerranée
- Art Explora
- MuMo 2
- Collection Pinault
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Hollywood
- Valencia
- California
- Vasquez Rocks
- Fresno
- Athens
- Greece
- New York
- Occitanie
- Pyrénées Méditerranée