Historic California art college to close as Vanderbilt prepares to take over campus

CALIFORNIA — After nearly 120 years of operation, the California College of the Arts announced on January 13 that it will close as part of an agreement with Vanderbilt University.

The agreement will lead to the winding down of CCA’s operations and the establishment of a new academic presence at its San Francisco campus.

In a message to the CCA community on Jan. 13, CCA president David Howse confirmed the school will conclude operations at the end of the 2026–27 academic year.

“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,” said Howse.

Before the start of the 2024–25 school year, Howse met with about 300 CCA staff and faculty to outline the severity of the college’s financial problems.

He said the school faced a $20 million budget deficit and that enrollment had dropped roughly one-third from its 2019 peak of about 1,800 full-time students.

Despite support from private donors and a $20 million state grant, Howse said the school could not avoid a financial crisis.

Vanderbilt will operate CCA on its new campus

Under the agreement, Vanderbilt will acquire the CCA campus and launch undergraduate and graduate programs there after CCA closes.

Vanderbilt plans to establish a full-time academic campus in San Francisco serving approximately 1,000 students and supporting faculty and staff through sustained academic activities.

The university expects to open the site for the 2027–28 academic year, pending regulatory approval and final planning details.

As part of the transition, Vanderbilt will operate a California College of the Arts Institute on its new San Francisco campus.

The institute would include the Wattis Institute of Contemporary Arts, preserve CCA’s archival materials, and support ongoing alumni engagement to help maintain the college’s legacy.

Last remaining private art school in Bay Area

CCA is the last remaining private art and design school in the Bay Area. The San Francisco Art Institute closed in 2022 after facing similar budget deficits and enrollment declines.

The agreement aims to allow current students to complete their degrees through the final academic year.

CCA officials also say they are working with accredited institutions to develop transfer and completion pathways for students who need extra time to finish their studies.

While some in the CCA community have expressed concern about the closure, school leaders and Vanderbilt officials say the partnership provides a path to sustain art and design education in the Bay Area and honor CCA’s more than century-long influence.

Further details about the transition timeline are expected as Vanderbilt works with city and state officials to finalize plans.