Dear CCA Alumni,

I am writing to share an important update with you about the future of California College of the Arts: to support opportunities for our students to complete their education and to honor CCA’s significant role in the Bay Area’s creative ecosystem, we have entered into an agreement with Vanderbilt University.

Under this agreement, CCA will wind down its current operations and will close by the end of the 2026-2027 academic year. Vanderbilt will then become the owner of the campus and will establish undergraduate and graduate programming, including art and design programs, at the campus. Vanderbilt also plans to operate a CCA Institute at Vanderbilt which will include, among other things, the Wattis Institute of Contemporary Arts, will maintain CCA archival materials, and will serve as a vehicle for CCA alumni engagement. Through these activities, Vanderbilt will honor CCA’s longstanding creative mission and maintain a strong presence for art and design education in the Bay Area.

While the Board of Trustees and I recognize the significant opportunities this venture presents, I also appreciate that some of you may immediately be confused or concerned about this news, asking why now and why Vanderbilt? I understand this will be a profound change for our community. But I hope you will take the time to read the rest of this message, to understand why the Board of Trustees and I believe this is the right step forward for the college. This was not a decision we reached lightly, and we expect there may be feelings of shock, frustration, and disappointment. After nearly two years of working to resolve the college’s underlying financial challenges, we know this is the necessary step to take.

First, let me share more of the details. Under the terms of this agreement, CCA will continue teaching and supporting students through the 2026–27 academic year. Students who are already on track to complete their degrees within that time will be able to graduate from CCA as planned if they wish to do so.

For students who will need additional time to complete their studies, we are working closely with accredited institutions to establish transfer and completion pathways. These arrangements will allow students to continue their studies without interruption, and more information will be shared about the teach-out plans as agreements are finalized.

After CCA’s final year in 2026–27, Vanderbilt will become the owner of the campus. Vanderbilt expects to begin academic operations in San Francisco no earlier than Fall 2027, subject to regulatory and other approvals.

How We Got Here

As you likely know, CCA is the only remaining private art and design school in the Bay Area. However, it is important to be clear about the reality we face: with declining enrollment, CCA’s tuition-driven business model is not sustainable. Demographic shifts and a persistent structural deficit remain significant burdens on our ability to sustain current programs or grow new ones.

Yes, it is true that with the generous help of Trustees, a group of important private donors, and a grant of $20 million from the State of California, we were able to avoid a financial crisis and earn us time to plan more effectively for the future. And yes, it is true that a series of budget cuts have provided some relief on the expense side. But these measures are temporary and not sustainable if we are to serve our community effectively. Ultimately, neither of these are enough to ensure CCA can continue to operate independently. Recognizing that lasting financial independence is out of reach given our current constraints, we have pursued conversations with potential partners over the last year.

CCA shared this news as soon as it was able to do so based on resolution of an agreement with Vanderbilt. We understand that this news may feel sudden, and the College is committed to ongoing communication as information continues to develop.

Over the coming weeks, we will also provide regular updates with detailed information for students, faculty, staff, and alumni regarding academic plans, employment considerations, and continuity of key programs and resources. Our commitment is to communicate clearly and consistently as the transition progresses. New information will be posted on the CCA Portal as it becomes available.

Lastly, I want to assure you that throughout our conversations, Vanderbilt has been a thoughtful and responsive partner, with a team of people who clearly respect our 120-year legacy and see in it great value for future generations of students. While CCA will close by the end of the 2026-2027 academic year, our legacy will not vanish. It will be held and honored by Vanderbilt.

This agreement is a decisive act of stewardship. It is the result of a resolve to ensure that our mission to educate students in the arts outlives our current structure. That is an important marker of success, and one I hope we can all embrace.

With appreciation,
President Howse

Sent on January 13, 2026