Founded half a century ago by Walt and Roy Disney as a multidisciplinary “arts community” California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) has attracted generations of artists who have established the cutting edge of contemporary practice in the performing and visual arts.
To celebrate its first 50 years — and kick off the next — CalArts invites the public to join in the fun with three days of art, music, theatre, dance, performance, food and festivities. The Valencia, California campus will be transformed into a theme park for artistic exploration and experimentation with multiple exhibitions, concerts, performances and Events will take place across campus from Friday, April 28 through Sunday, April 30.
To see the full schedule and buy tickets, visit celebrate.calarts.edu.
Event Highlights
Open Studios of Art School Graduates
Meet the artists and get a behind-the-scenes look at the studio practice of MFA students in CalArts’ Art, Photo & Media, Art & Technology, Integrated Media, and Graphic Design programs. Dozens of artists open their workspaces, offering insight into the evolving practices of new emerging voices in contemporary art.
Bookends: A Conversation with Bobby John, Carey and Ravi
Join second CalArts President Robert J. Fitzpatrick; current president, Ravi Rajan; and Carey Lovelace (Music BFA ’75) for a lively conversation about the institution’s first half-century — and the next.
world music festival
The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts presents its annual festival of musical traditions from around the world, featuring ensembles of students and faculty performing music from Iran, Bali and Java (Indonesia), India, Ghana (West Africa) and Japan, as well as cultural fusion.
Events
More than 75 long-lasting, experiential, and immersive art installations and performances take place on campus, showcasing works of performance, dance, theatre, fine art, film and video, spoken word, animation, etc
Spring Dance Concert
A selection of works presented by students, teachers and alumni of the Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance.
Here come the sirens by Kate Soper
An experimental opera set on a Mediterranean island in the pre-archaic Greek past and the American post-apocalyptic future.
Everyone
A retelling of the 15th century anonymous drama Each manthis comic adaptation – with surreal directing and a cast that reshuffles their roles with each performance – encapsulates the erratic and deceptive nature of life on Earth.
CalArts Alumni Reunion
Alumni from across CalArts history come together in an immersive environment customized with lighting and sound effects designed by alumni and students to dine, dance, socialize, and experience CalArts all weekend long.
