Pending final approval from each institution’s respective accrediting bodies and boards of trustees, VCFA will officially be affiliated with CalArts on July 1, 2024. The agreement will be put into practice on a conditional basis until final clearance from the U.S. Department of Education. That audit-like process can take a year or more. 

VCFA and CalArts began talking in early 2024 about forming a relationship that could help fulfill each organization’s strategic vision. Through these conversations, it became clear that VCFA and CalArts share many bedrock values and priorities that position them to work as productive partners. Both institutions value a transformative student experience, interdisciplinary collaboration and experimentation, and curricular development that supports diverse artists. 

As the higher-education landscape shifts, well-conceived affiliations are a primary avenue to help sustain and improve the student experience. VCFA and CalArts are confident this formal affiliation will ensure more artists have the opportunity to pursue exceptional higher education in the arts, while enhancing the financial strength and breadth of expertise of both institutions.

A process of research, site visits, conversations, and due diligence involving faculty workgroups, academic and administrative leadership, trustees, and external legal and financial experts took place beginning in early 2024. By April 1, CalArts and VCFA had notified their respective accrediting bodies and the U.S. Department of Education of their intent to affiliate following formal decisions by the boards of trustees of both institutions. Provided the accrediting bodies approve, and after one final look from both boards, we’ll begin operationalizing the affiliation on a conditional basis as we await final clearance from the Department of Education. This audit-like process, undertaken by the U.S. government, can take a year or two. We’ll be updating this site and sending out additional information along the way.

The agreement brings a wealth of benefits to both institutions, which are closely aligned in their missions and shared values, yet very different in the ways they deliver their curricula and in the student bodies they serve.

CalArts is known in the global top tier of highly competitive arts schools for delivering outstanding education in the visual and performing arts in a residential campus setting in greater Los Angeles. VCFA holds a unique position as the only college devoted exclusively to graduate fine arts education in a low-residency model. This affiliation enables each to gain from the expertise of the other, broadening the market reach for both institutions and creating opportunities for collaboration and discourse. The arrangement also provides economic advantages, allowing for revenue growth and operational efficiencies through shared services that may be channeled into an improved student experience and even stronger art-making facilities.  

This affiliation does not immediately impact students. Academic programs at both schools remain the same and are independent of one another. The only change students will likely see is that VCFA will begin holding its semiannual residencies on the CalArts campus in 2025. The nine-day residencies will take place during CalArts’ winter and summer breaks to minimize disruption for CalArts students.

During the winter residencies in January, VCFA students will be housed in nearby hotels. During the summer residencies, while CalArts’ residence halls are empty, they will have the option to live on campus.

After the affiliation is approved by both accrediting agencies and boards, planning for the VCFA winter 2025 residency will begin between VCFA and CalArts staff and faculty. Deans, program directors, and CalArts facilities personnel will form planning groups together for this purpose.

CalArts students will receive their degrees from CalArts, and VCFA students will continue to receive their degrees from VCFA.This affiliation will not change CalArts or VCFA degrees, programs, or diplomas.

We do not expect this agreement to impact either institution’s faculty members or their academics directly, as each school will continue to be academically independent – each with its own separate faculty, academic standards, and degree programs. While affiliated with CalArts, the VCFA board will continue its work overseeing the VCFA faculty and staff as they administer VCFA’s low-residency MFA programs.

The two institutions will enter into a series of shared service agreements that will allow for economies of scale for certain administrative functions (e.g., finance, HR, IT, regulatory compliance such as Title IX, etc.). In other words, CalArts may provide certain administrative services to VCFA through a contract and at a charge. These agreements will be worked out over time, and division-by-division, to provide the opportunity for participation from those involved at both institutions, and to ensure ongoing, uninterrupted services.

No. There is no anticipated impact on either institution’s tuition because of this affiliation. Tuition rates for both institutions will continue to be determined separately.

While there are similarities between the program offerings of CalArts and VCFA, the formats in which the degrees are earned are significantly different. This distinction already exists today, and will continue moving forward.

For example, when pursuing an MFA at CalArts, students receive the benefits of a full-time, in-person experience, including access to studios, equipment and other physical art-making spaces; being part of an immersive multidisciplinary community of artists; having the ability to take both required and elective curricular offerings; and getting the opportunity to build significant peer networks in person. The VCFA curriculum enables its students to live and learn from wherever they are, coming together twice a year for nine-day in-person residencies while remaining an ongoing part of their already existing communities. VCFA’s programs serve a different age demographic than the graduate programs at CalArts, with an average age of 38.

No. Each institution will continue to maintain its own brand identity, and no changes are planned at this time. Any use of the CalArts brand by VCFA (or vice-versa) would require a licensing agreement, just as it does with any other entity.

No. CalArts is incorporated in California and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). VCFA will remain in Montpelier, Vermont, incorporated there, and will continue its own separate accreditation status through the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

One of the attractive aspects of this opportunity is the very low financial risk it presents. The financial analysis performed as part of the due diligence process indicated that the arrangement will result in a fairly break-even situation for VCFA early on, and begin to generate additional revenue for CalArts within a year or so. Financial benefits for both institutions include the ability to create greater economies of scale and to gain efficiencies through shared services with CalArts.

A designated email has been set up at vcfa@calarts.edu. It will be monitored by CalArts’ Marketing and Communications team.