CalArts Special Collections & Institute Archives

The CalArts Library Institute Archives is available by appointment only.

The mission of the CalArts Institute Archives is to identify, collect, arrange, describe, preserve, and make accessible records of enduring historical, administrative, legal, fiscal, educational, and artistic value which document the history and collective memory of CalArts, REDCAT (the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater), the Center for New Performance (CNP), and CAP (Community Arts Partnership). The Institute Archives serves as the institutional memory and final repository for official and nonofficial materials generated by faculty, staff, students, academic programs, administrative offices, and campus organizations.

The archives contains documents, photographs, publications, clippings, programs, sound files, video recordings, posters, and other miscellaneous items. There are also a small number of materials, primarily publications, from the Chouinard Art School and the Los Angeles Music Conservatory, two institutions that merged in the late 1960’s to form CalArts.

1. Search our collections. 
2. Specify materials to view or have digitized by submitting a request.  See Reproduction Policy and Price List
3. On-site researchers need to schedule an appointment to view materials in our Special Collections and Institute Archives Reading Room.  For archives inquires, please send your request form at least 3 days in advance of your appointment to allow time for the archivist to ensure all requested materials are available for viewing.

Viewing is by appointment only and availability can widely vary.