Q. I just want what’s best for CCA. What’s the simple answer for why this is the best/right thing for CCA?

A. Simply put, CCA’s existing tuition-driven financial model is not working, and the college has not been able to raise the additional funds needed to ensure its future. The agreement with Vanderbilt brings in an array of resources, financial and otherwise, which enables CCA to plan to continue operations through the 2026-2027 academic year. Further, Vanderbilt has agreed to engage in activities that honor CCA’s legacy, including art and design programs.

Q. Will CCA students be able to continue their studies uninterrupted? Will all degree programs, courses, and faculty remain in place for the time being?

A. Under the terms of this agreement, CCA plans to 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. The college will not accept a new incoming class for the fall of 2026, in order to maintain its focus on serving its current student population as effectively as possible.

Q. How much influence will current CCA leadership and faculty have with Vanderbilt in their planning for the campus’ future?

A. Between now and when CCA closes, CCA leadership will collaborate closely with Vanderbilt to share information about the college’s strengths, programs, and history, to inform Vanderbilt’s process for determining its future plans. Vanderbilt is responsible for making decisions regarding its future plans and programs with respect to activities on the campus, though it may choose to seek additional input from CCA leadership and faculty.

Q. What happens with the many donors who came together to support CCA over the last 12 months?

A. CCA has been engaging our many donors to share this important news about the college’s future. Their support has been crucial in helping CCA get to this important milestone—a milestone that will allow the college’s legacy to be honored by Vanderbilt.

Q. So this ends CCA’s existence as an independent, private arts school?

A. Yes. After CCA closes, Vanderbilt expects to offer art and design programs, subject to regulatory and other approvals, and will honor CCA’s legacy with a CCA Institute at Vanderbilt, which will include the Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts, CCA historical archival materials, and other important CCA legacy-related activities.

Q. What happens with CCA’s recently announced collaboration with NVIDIA?

A. NVIDIA’s programming collaboration with CCA will continue until CCA ceases operations.

Q. What happens to CCA’s faculty after this academic year concludes? What happens to CCA’s current staff after this academic year concludes?

A. Vanderbilt recognizes the tremendous value that CCA’s current faculty and staff bring to CCA, including their deep knowledge of the institution, its history, and current operations. CCA’s agreement with Vanderbilt provides opportunities for both faculty and staff to apply for positions with Vanderbilt once Vanderbilt has completed an assessment of its needs.

Q. What percentage of CCA’s faculty or staff will continue to be employed by CCA until it closes? Who will be hired by Vanderbilt?

A. At this stage, we are not in a position to answer questions about CCA’s employment of faculty and staff because plans for CCA’s programs through the 2026-2027 academic year are still being finalized. Vanderbilt expects to begin academic operations in San Francisco no earlier than fall 2027. Staffing needs depend on final academic programs, enrollment levels, and regulatory approvals, all of which are still being developed.

Q. What happens for employees represented by unions?

A. CCA has shared this news with the labor unions and will bargain with the unions about the effects of the closure of CCA, including negotiation of closing agreements with each labor union.

Q. What were the alternatives to this acquisition by Vanderbilt?

A. Over the last two years, CCA leadership has pursued a number of strategies to stabilize CCA’s finances and ensure its future and legacy. This has included opportunities for private fundraising, which were successful enough to sustain the college for an additional year but did not produce enough funds to resolve longer-term financial needs. Leadership has also explored strategic partnership and other collaboration opportunities with different potential partners. Ultimately, Vanderbilt emerged as the strongest opportunity, with an agreement that enables CCA to plan to continue operations through academic year 2026-2027 and provides the best opportunity for CCA’s legacy to be honored.

Q. Couldn’t the Huang Foundation simply give more money to CCA?

A. The Huang family has been incredibly supportive of and generous towards CCA. But they also understand that CCA’s existing tuition-driven financial model is not working and have been supportive of the college’s need to find a more sustainable financial solution.

Q. What happens to CCA’s campus, including our new building?

A. After CCA closes by the end of the 2026-2027 academic year, Vanderbilt will become the owner of CCA’s campus and will use some or all of these facilities, including our new building, as part of its new programs.

Q. What about the Oakland campus?

A. Vanderbilt has also agreed to take ownership of CCA’s former campus in Oakland. They have not determined specific plans for the Oakland campus.

Q. What happens to the Wattis Institute?

A. Vanderbilt plans to operate a California College of the Arts Institute at Vanderbilt, which will include the Wattis Institute of Contemporary Arts. Vanderbilt appreciates the Wattis Institute’s exceptional history as an arts research and exhibition component of CCA, and it plans to honor that legacy through the California College of the Arts Institute at Vanderbilt.