Dear CC= A Community,

During = the past two decades CCA has grown in size and reputation, bringing us to an exciting point in the college=E2=80=99s histo= ry, This is a time of enormous opportunity for us, but also a time when CCA, and the enti= re higher educational sector, will encounter new challenges. Because we want t= o define and lead next-generation art and design education, we have come together to envision the future of the college through a long-range planning effort.

We are= now halfway through the process and I=E2=80=99d like to update you on what=E2=80=99s happened thus far. As you may recall, we have = been working with the firm Gensler to look at both the organizational aspects and physic= al assets of the college with the goal of creating a roadmap for CCA=E2=80=99s= future.

=C2=A0<= b>Investigation

The first step was to thoroughly analyze the physical prope= rties of both campuses, looking at the types of spaces and how and when they are being used. We engaged the local firm MKThink to assist Gensler with analyt= ics. Space typologies include open making, specialized making, teaching, communi= ty, circulation, faculty and administration, housing, and support. Several key questions were addressed:

Ho= w much and what kinds of space does CCA have, and how effective are they?
When are CCA=E2=80=99s instructional spaces being= used, and when are they empty?
How efficiently are CCA=E2=80=99s instructional spac= es occupied?

Comm= unity Engagement

Input f= rom the CCA community is vital to the success of this project, and CCA faculty have been leading the way. To date, more than 500 people=E2=80=94faculty, students, staff, trustees, and alumni=E2=80=94have = been involved in the process by attending meetings/ workshops and participating in surveys.

Init= ial Synthesis

The Gen= sler team led CCA community members through an exercise called R.E.I.D. We = were asked what we would retain, enhance, introduce, and discard from our existing two campuses. The second = part of the exercise was imagining a third campus, as if we were going to build = the college from scratch.

The pur= pose of these exercises was to allow participants to let go of preconceived notions and open up to the many possibilities for CC= A=E2=80=99s future. Fortunately, as creative people, we are particularly good at this. = The results were interesting, and some unifying ideas emerged:

Retain: CCA culture
Enhance: Teaching and learning environments
Introduce: Community
Discard: Differentiation and non-functional

Some co= mmon threads from the community engagement:

The desire for more integration
The notion of a campus that embodies learning by doing
Place as a creat= ive platform for new ventures and making

Cont= extual Issues

Higher = education is rapidly evolving, and the future will be user-centric with many possible pathways for teaching and learning. What wi= ll future CCA students need and how will the college respond? We are taking a = look the Bay Area now and what is projected for the future. Housing, transportat= ion, real estate, economics, and the job market are just some of the issues that will impact us all.

Next= Steps

With al= l this research, analysis, and community input, the Gensler team will now work with CCA staff and faculty to create scenarios f= or how the college might develop spaces for learning and living. The options w= ill take into consideration enrollment, housing, financing, construction costs, timelines, and many other issues.=C2=A0 We will keep you informed as the project continues. Be sure to check the campus p= lanning blog regularly.

Ultimat= ely, the goal of this long-range planning effort is to create the best possible learning experience for our students while main= taining a strong, sustainable, and resilient institution. In doing so, CCA will tak= e its rightful place as a national and international leader in arts education= .

Sincere= ly,

Stephen= Beal

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Stephen Beal
President=C2=A0
California College o= f the Arts
5212 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94618=C2=A0
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1111-Eighth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
Email: sbeal@cca.e= du
Telephone: 510-594-3630
Fax: 510-594-3797
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