California Institute of the Arts

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), world-renowned private university in Valencia, CA, founded by Walt Disney in 1961 and the first U.S. institution to offer degrees in both visual and performing arts, operates as a multidisciplinary "artistic laboratory." Comprised of six schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, Theater—and Extended Studies, CalArts fosters a culture of experimentalism and cross-pollination. Famous for its avant-garde spirit, CalArts empowers students to challenge conventions and define the future of global culture.