The Creative Leave Program provides the opportunity for faculty to focus exclusively for one semester on the development of artistic, scholarly and/or teaching practices.

CalArts strongly believes that ongoing faculty professional development is fundamental to sustaining the strength of CalArts as an Institute dedicated to creative research and cultural innovation, and can demonstrably enhance teaching effectiveness and student experience. The achievements of our faculty of working artists and scholars, both directly and indirectly tied to pedagogy, make significant contributions in their disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields, enhance our institutional reputation for leadership in creative work and support our ability to attract and retain the most promising students.

Faculty Creative Leave Colloquium and Reports 

Our faculty’s professional work takes them all over the world playing concerts, holding workshops and clinics, showcasing at festivals, writing books and articles, conducting research, etc. Creative leaves provide opportunities for faculty to concentrate on their professional work, their métier, and then, in turn, to connect with, inspire, and teach our students via their accumulated knowledge and the ability to demonstrate the creative application of that knowledge.

During the semester following the creative leave, faculty must participate in an annual colloquium and submit a report sharing the activities and accomplishments of their leave with the broader CalArts community. Creative Leaves funded for 2019- are:

Faculty Member School Semester
Ellen Birrell Art Fall 2019
Harry Dodge Art Fall 2019
Darcy Huebler Art Fall 2019
Jeff Keedy Art Spring 2020
Hillary Kapan Film/Video Spring 2020
Nina Menkes Film/Video Spring 2020
Leighton Pierce
 Film/Video
 Fall 2019
Michael Scroggins
 Film/Video
 Spring 2020
Julie Feves
 Music
 Spring 2020
Joe La Barbera
 Music
 Spring 2020
David Roitstein
 Music
 Fall 2019
Shannon Scrofano Theater Spring 2020