24700

News From California Institute of the Arts

24700

News From California Institute of the Arts

A black-and-white photo of a performer raising one arm while looking upward during a stage performance. Another figure appears out of focus in the background.

CalArts Alum Karolina Kwaśniak Selected for Willem Dafoe-Led Theater Residency in Venice, Italy

May 26, 2026
Kwaśniak (Theater MFA 24) is part of a small group of actors from around the world to participate in Biennale College Teatro 2026.
President Barack Obama stands in profile inside the Obama Presidential Center, viewing Carrie Mae Weems’ The Cool Blue Wind. The installation features a grid of blue-toned photographic images mounted along a wall, including scenes of jazz musicians and moments associated with Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Obama Presidential Center Opens With New Works by CalArts Alumni Mark Bradford and Carrie Mae Weems

The museum, library, and education project in Chicago, which opens on June 19, commemorates the presidency of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States.
A black-and-white photo of a performer raising one arm while looking upward during a stage performance. Another figure appears out of focus in the background.

CalArts Alum Karolina Kwaśniak Selected for Willem Dafoe-Led Theater Residency in Venice, Italy

May 26, 2026
Kwaśniak (Theater MFA 24) is part of a small group of actors from around the world to participate in Biennale College Teatro 2026.
Side-by-side image of author Jessica M. Felleman and the cover of her debut novel Last Kiss of Summer. On the left, Felleman sits smiling on outdoor steps wearing red glasses, a striped top, jeans, and a blue cardigan. On the right is the book cover, featuring a painted sunset over water with a heart shape reflected on the horizon and the title Last Kiss of Summer in large yellow lettering.

CalArts Alum Jessica Felleman Discusses Debut YA Novel ‘Last Kiss of Summer’

May 21, 2026
Felleman (Critical Studies MFA 13) recently released a young adult romance centered on Sera Watkins and Luke Tisdale, two teens connected since infancy through a heart transplant procedure that forever intertwines their lives.
President Barack Obama stands in profile inside the Obama Presidential Center, viewing Carrie Mae Weems’ The Cool Blue Wind. The installation features a grid of blue-toned photographic images mounted along a wall, including scenes of jazz musicians and moments associated with Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Obama Presidential Center Opens With New Works by CalArts Alumni Mark Bradford and Carrie Mae Weems

The museum, library, and education project in Chicago, which opens on June 19, commemorates the presidency of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States.
A black-and-white photo of a performer raising one arm while looking upward during a stage performance. Another figure appears out of focus in the background.

CalArts Alum Karolina Kwaśniak Selected for Willem Dafoe-Led Theater Residency in Venice, Italy

Kwaśniak (Theater MFA 24) is part of a small group of actors from around the world to participate in Biennale College Teatro 2026.
Side-by-side image of author Jessica M. Felleman and the cover of her debut novel Last Kiss of Summer. On the left, Felleman sits smiling on outdoor steps wearing red glasses, a striped top, jeans, and a blue cardigan. On the right is the book cover, featuring a painted sunset over water with a heart shape reflected on the horizon and the title Last Kiss of Summer in large yellow lettering.

CalArts Alum Jessica Felleman Discusses Debut YA Novel ‘Last Kiss of Summer’

Felleman (Critical Studies MFA 13) recently released a young adult romance centered on Sera Watkins and Luke Tisdale, two teens connected since infancy through a heart transplant procedure that forever intertwines their lives.

Ariel Osterweis Serves as Dramaturg/Producer for ‘Wandering’ at Marian Goodman Gallery

May 20, 2026

New Exhibit Celebrating 50 Years of Punk Co-Curated by CalArts Faculty Michael Worthington Opens at the Skirball

May 19, 2026

LA Metro’s Newly Opened D Line Extension Includes Works by CalArts Alumni Todd Gray and Soo Kim

May 15, 2026

CalArts Alum Sarah Wang Releases Debut Novel ‘New Skin’ This Week

May 13, 2026

Latest Posts

CalArts Alumni Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Gala Porras-Kim to Participate in 61st Venice Biennale

Nguyen and Porras-Kim are among the artists from around the world participating in the central exhibition of the 61st Venice Biennale, opening Saturday, May 9, in Venice, Italy.
Building with "la Biennale" in raised letters, featuring tall white columns, a tree sculpture, and people in front.

CalArts Alumni Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Gala Porras-Kim to Participate in 61st Venice Biennale

Nguyen and Porras-Kim are among the artists from around the world participating in the central exhibition of the 61st Venice Biennale, opening Saturday, May 9, in Venice, Italy.

CalArts Alum Kevin Adams Earns Tony Nomination

Adams, a four-time Tony Award winner, is nominated for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for ‘Chess.’

CalArts Alum Kevin Adams Earns Tony Nomination

Adams, a four-time Tony Award winner, is nominated for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for ‘Chess.’

CalArts Faculty Michael Pisaro-Liu and Sociologist John Holloway Present ‘Sitting on an Earthquake, Dancing on a Volcano’

What does it mean to find harmony between silence and noise, or between the individual and the collective? A collaboration between CalArts faculty Michael Pisaro-Liu and sociologist John Holloway takes up those questions.
Promotional poster with bold text about a concert featuring Michael Pisaro-Liu and John Holloway, set against an orange background.

CalArts Faculty Michael Pisaro-Liu and Sociologist John Holloway Present ‘Sitting on an Earthquake, Dancing on a Volcano’

What does it mean to find harmony between silence and noise, or between the individual and the collective? A collaboration between CalArts faculty Michael Pisaro-Liu and sociologist John Holloway takes up those questions.

CalArts Alum Spencer Lenain Performs with sombr at Coachella

CalArts Alum Spencer Lenain (Dance BFA 24) performed on one of the most high-profile stages in live music earlier this month, dancing in both of sombr’s sets at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. 
A singer in a studded leather outfit performs on stage surrounded by ballet dancers.

CalArts Alum Spencer Lenain Performs with sombr at Coachella

CalArts Alum Spencer Lenain (Dance BFA 24) performed on one of the most high-profile stages in live music earlier this month, dancing in both of sombr’s sets at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. 
All Posts

24700 Staff Picks

Photo of the Week

A fashion designer measures a smiling model wearing a green sleeveless shirt and a bolo tie in a studio setting with sketches on the wall.

Cosume Design MFA student Odessa Newman styles an outfit for the School of Theater production, IS GOD IS.

Explore More of CalArts