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{{short description|Art school in Los Angeles, California}}
{{Infobox_University
{{More citations needed|date=August 2019}}{{Infobox university
| name = Otis Art Institute
| image = [[Image:Otis College of Art and Design (logo).png]]
| name = Otis College of Art and Design
| image = Otis College of Art and Design (logo).png
| motto =
| former_name = Otis Art Institute (1918–1977),<br /> Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design (1978–1991)
| established = 1918
| motto =
| type = [[Private school|Private]] [[art school]]
| established = 1918
| president = [[Samuel Hoi]]
| type = [[Private university|Private]] [[Art school|art and design school]]
| city = [[Los Angeles]]
| president = [[Charles Hirschhorn]]
| state = [[California]]
| city = [[Westchester, Los Angeles]]
| country = United States
| state = [[California]]
| campus = [[Urban area|Urban]]
| country = United States
| undergrad = 1153
| campus = [[Urban area|Urban]]
| postgrad = MFA 60
| undergrad = 1,093
| postgrad_label =
| postgrad = 60 {{small|(MFA)}}
| staff =
| postgrad_label =
| mascot =
| administrative_staff =
| free_label =
| nickname = Owls
| free =
| mascot = Otis Owl
| website= http://www.otis.edu
| free_label =
|}}
| free =
| website = {{url|www.otis.edu}}
| accreditation = [[WASC Senior College and University Commission|WSCUC]]
}}


'''Otis College of Art and Design''' is a [[Private university|private]] [[Art school|art and design school]] in [[Los Angeles, California]], United States.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Tyler |last=Shultz |date=March 10, 2022 |title=Otis College of Art and Design Announces O-Launch |url=http://www.apparelnews.net/news/2022/mar/10/otis-college-art-and-design-announces-o-launch/ |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=www.apparelnews.net |language=en}}</ref> Established in 1918, it was the city's first independent professional school of art.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aicad.org/schools/otis-college-of-art-and-design/|work=Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design|title=Otis College of Art and Design|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181108204755/http://aicad.org/schools/otis-college-of-art-and-design/|archive-date=November 8, 2018}}</ref> The main campus is located in the former [[IBM|IBM Aerospace]] headquarters at 9045 [[Lincoln Boulevard (Southern California)|Lincoln Boulevard]] in [[Westchester, Los Angeles]]. The school's programs, accredited by the [[WASC Senior College and University Commission|WSCUC]] and [[National Association of Schools of Art and Design]], include BFA and MFA degrees.
'''Otis College of Art and Design''' is an [[art school|art and design college]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]].


== History ==
The school's programs, accredited by [[Western Association of Schools and Colleges|WASC]] and [[National Association of Schools of Art and Design]], include four-year BFA degrees in [[illustration]], [[fine art]]s, [[graphic design]], [[architecture]], [[landscape design]], [[interior design]], [[fashion design]], [[digital media]], [[toy]] design, and [[product design]]. It also offers MFA degrees in fine arts, graphic design, public practice, and writing. Undergraduate students choose a major in their second year, after completing a battery of traditional drawing, painting, composition, and construction classes in their first or "Foundation" year. In addition to studio work, standard [[liberal arts]] courses are required, although traditional history courses are replaced by [[art history]].
[[File:Otiscollege.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1|The Ahmanson building at Otis College of Art and Design]]
Otis, long considered one of the major art institutions in California, began in 1918, when ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' founder [[Harrison Gray Otis (publisher)|Harrison Gray Otis]] bequeathed his [[Westlake, Los Angeles]], property to start the first public, independent professional school of art in Southern California.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Lord |first=Rosemary |title=Los Angeles Then and Now |publisher=Thunder Bay Press |isbn=1571457941 |location=San Diego |publication-date=2002 |pages=50-51}}</ref> The current Otis College main campus (since spring 1997) is located in the Westchester area of Los Angeles, close to the [[Los Angeles International Airport]]. The main building (built in 1963) was designed by architect [[Eliot Noyes]] for IBM, and is famous for its computer "[[punched card]]" style windows.<ref>{{cite web |title=The IBM Punched Card |date=7 March 2012 |url=http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/ibm100/us/en/icons/punchcard/impacts/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141006223243/http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/ibm100/us/en/icons/punchcard/impacts/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> However, Otis would not live to see the college's grand opening as he died the previous year in 1917.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1917-07-31 |title=Sudden Death Strikes Harrison Gray Otis |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-sudden-death-st/102269494/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |work=The Atlanta Constitution |pages=2}}</ref>


The building was extensively remodeled in 1997 by the college when it moved from its original location across the street from [[MacArthur Park]] near downtown Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Otis College of Art and Design Timeline/History |url=http://www.otis.edu/history-timeline|access-date=6 November 2014}}</ref> The Galef Center, made for the Fine Arts department, was designed by Fredrick Fisher and built in 2001.
The movie ''[[Art School Confidential (film)|Art School Confidential]]'' was partially filmed at Otis. Otis Foundation Professor [http://garygerathsjournal.com/index.html Gary Geraths] worked as a consultant on the film.


A [[ceramic art|ceramics]] school was begun by [[Peter Voulkos]] at Otis in the 1950s and was part of art movements like the Craft-to-Art movement, also known as the [[American Clay Revolution]],<ref>{{cite web |title=PETER VOULKOS |work=ArtScene |access-date=2012-08-05 |url=http://artscenecal.com/ArticlesFile/Archive/Articles1996/Articles0296/Voulkos.html}}</ref> which influenced the [[Ferus Gallery]] scene of the 1960s. Many prominent artists associated with Southern California's Light and Space movement were involved with the school, as well as leaders of the conceptual art world of the 1970s. Moreover, Otis nurtured significant Latino artists, including [[Marisol Escobar]], and the mural group [[Los Four]] also originated at Otis in the 1970s.
[[Image:Otiscollege.jpg|right]]


The school was originally named '''Otis Art Institute'''. From 1978 until 1991, it was affiliated with New York's [[Parsons School of Design]] and known as '''Otis–Parsons''' (full name: '''Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design''', a division of the New School for Social Research).<ref>{{cite web|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/05/17/archives/parsons-and-otis-art-school-merger.html|title=Parsons and Otis: Art School Merger|date=May 17, 1979|page=5}}</ref> This affiliation allowed students to spend a semester or more at the Parsons schools in New York and Paris. In summer 1991, it became independent again and known as Otis College of Art and Design.<ref name=":0" />
== History ==
Otis, long considered one of the major art institutions in California, began in 1918, when ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' founder [[Harrison Gray Otis]] bequeathed his [[MacArthur Park]] property to start the first public, independent professional school of art in Southern California. The current main campus (since Spring 1997), located in [[Westchester, Los Angeles|Westchester]], close to the [[Los Angeles International Airport]], is anchored by the 1963 [[IBM]] building (famous for its computer "punchcard" style windows) and a contemporary fine arts facility.


As of 2005, it is one of the most culturally diverse private schools of art and design in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lalouver.com/resource/otis/otis.pdf|title=Otis: Nine Decades of Los Angeles Art Exhibition Highlight Lasting Impact of LA Artists & Movements|location=Los Angeles, CA|date=October 12, 2005|access-date=December 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326220126/http://www.lalouver.com/resource/otis/otis.pdf|archive-date=March 26, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2022, the college received the largest donation in its history from the Spiegel Family Fund, which was founded by CEO of [[Snapchat]] (Snap Inc.), [[Evan Spiegel]]. The donation paid off the debt of the graduating class, 77% of whom identify as people of color.
A [[ceramics]] school was begun by [[Peter Voulkos]] at Otis in the 1950s and was part of art movements like the Craft-to-Art movement, also known as the [http://artscenecal.com/ArticlesFile/Archive/Articles1996/Articles0296/Voulkos.html American Clay Revolution], which influenced the [[Ferus Gallery]] scene of the 1960s. Many prominent artists associated with Southern California’s [http://www.cnac-gp.fr/Pompidou/Communication.nsf/docs/IDD94E8F7A72E2FEC4C125712B00565963/$File/dpLosAngelesEnglish.pdf Light and Space movement] were involved with the school, as well as leaders of the conceptual art world of the 1970s. Moreover, Otis nurtured significant Latino artists, and the mural group [[Los Four]] also originated at Otis in the 1970s.


The president of Otis College is [[Charles Hirschhorn]], since June 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-02-26 |title=Charles Hirschhorn Appointed President Of Otis College Of Art And Design |url=https://www.artforum.com/news/charles-hirschhorn-appointed-president-of-otis-college-of-art-and-design-246689/ |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=[[Artforum]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Vankin |first=Deborah |date=2020-02-26 |title=Otis College of Art and Design picks entertainment executive as its new president |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-02-26/otis-college-art-design-president-charles-hirschhorn |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226180354/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-02-26/otis-college-art-design-president-charles-hirschhorn |archive-date=2020-02-26 |access-date= |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |date=2020-02-24 |title=Carnegie Museum of Art Names Next Director |url=https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/breaking-art-industry-news-february-24-2020-1202678845/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225063315/https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/breaking-art-industry-news-february-24-2020-1202678845/ |archive-date=2020-02-25 |access-date= |website=ARTnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
The school was originally named Otis Art Institute. From 1978 until 1991, it was affiliated with New York's [[Parsons School of Design]] and known as Otis-Parsons (full name: Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design). This affiliation allowed students to spend a semester or more at the Parsons schools in New York and Paris. In 1991, it became independent and known as Otis College of Art and Design.


==Rankings and programs==
Today it is one of the most culturally diverse private schools of art and design in the country.<ref>http://www.lalouver.com/resource/otis/otis.pdf</ref> Its students come from 39 states and 26 countries, and mirror the world as well as the emerging work place.
Otis is known for its digital media programs. In 2024, ''Animation Career Review'' ranked its animation program #22 in the United States,<ref>{{cite web|author=Animation Career Review |url=https://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/top-50-animation-schools-and-colleges-us-2024-college-rankings|title=Top 50 Animation Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2024 College Rankings |publisher=Animation Career Review |date=2024 |access-date=June 21, 2024}}</ref> and in 2023, #8 in California.<ref>{{cite web|author=Animation Career Review |url=https://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/top-20-animation-school-programs-california-2023-college-rankings|title=Top 20 Animation School Programs in California - 2023 College Rankings |publisher=Animation Career Review |date=2024 |access-date=June 21, 2024}}</ref> In 2023, it also ranked Otis as #13 for visual effects programs in the United States,<ref>{{cite web|author=Animation Career Review |url=https://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/top-25-visual-effects-vfx-schools-and-colleges-us-2023-rankings|title=What are the top visual effects schools in the U.S. for 2023? |publisher=Animation Career Review |date=2024 |access-date=June 21, 2024}}</ref> and #10 in California for Game Design.<ref>{{cite web|author=Animation Career Review |url=https://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/top-10-game-design-schools-and-colleges-california-2023-college-rankings|title=Top 10 Game Design Schools and Colleges in California - 2023 College Rankings|publisher=Animation Career Review |date=2024 |access-date=June 21, 2024}}</ref>


Otis is also known for its fine arts programs. In 2023, ''Animation Career Review'' ranked its graphic design program as #21 in the United States,<ref>{{cite web|author=Animation Career Review |url=https://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/top-50-graphic-design-schools-and-colleges-us-2023-rankings|title=Top 50 Graphic Design Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2023 Rankings|publisher=Animation Career Review |date=2024 |access-date=June 21, 2024}}</ref> and #4 in California.<ref>{{cite web|author=Animation Career Review |url=https://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/top-20-graphic-design-school-programs-california-2023-college-rankings|title=Top 20 Graphic Design School Programs in California - 2023 College Rankings|publisher=Animation Career Review |date=2024 |access-date=June 21, 2024}}</ref> In 2024, ''Animation Career Review'' also ranked its Illustration program as #15 in the United States,<ref>{{cite web|author=Animation Career Review |url=https://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/top-50-illustration-schools-and-colleges-us-2024-college-rankings|title=Top 50 Illustration Schools and Colleges in the U.S. - 2024 College Rankings|publisher=Animation Career Review |date=2024 |access-date=June 21, 2024}}</ref> and #3 in California.<ref>{{cite web|author=Animation Career Review |url=https://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/top-10-illustration-schools-and-colleges-california-2024-college-rankings|title=Top 10 Illustration Schools and Colleges in California - 2024 College Rankings|publisher=Animation Career Review |date=2024 |access-date=June 21, 2024}}</ref>
== BFA programs ==
Otis is well-known for its BFA degrees offered in [[fashion design]]. Under the direction of [[Rosemary Brantley]], this program is considered one of the top [http://www.otis.edu/academics/fashion_design/index.html fashion design programs] of its kind in the U.S. <ref>http://www.thefutureschannel.com/conversations_archive/wickser_conversation.php</ref><ref>http://www.vault.com/articles/Major-Fashion-Programs-16653125.html</ref> Otis Fashion Design is housed at the [http://www.californiamarketcenter.com/ California Market Center] in downtown Los Angeles. Students benefit from working closely design mentors and are trained in all aspects of the design process while emulating a fashion design studio, and following the industry’s seasonal schedule. Visiting critics have included designers such as [[Bob Mackie]], [[Francisco Costa (designer)|Francisco Costa]] for [[Calvin Klein]], [[Vera Wang]], [[Diane von Furstenberg]], [[Isabel Toledo]], [[Isaac Mizrahi]], and [[Todd Oldham]].<ref>http://www.otis.edu/about/press/fashion_mentors_07.html</ref> Major designers such as [[Eduardo Lucero]][http://www.fashionwindows.com/beauty/eduardo_lucero/default.asp] and [[Rick Owens]] are alumni of the program.


Finally, it is known for its [[fashion design]] program. Under the direction of [[Rosemary Brantley]], this program is considered one of the top fashion design programs of its kind in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutureschannel.com/conversations_archive/wickser_conversation.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121020708/http://thefutureschannel.com/conversations_archive/wickser_conversation.php|archive-date=21 November 2011|title=Jackie Wickser|publisher=The Future Channel}}</ref> Otis Fashion Design is housed at the California Market Center in downtown Los Angeles. Students benefit from working closely with design mentors and are trained in all aspects of the design process while emulating a fashion design studio, and following the industry's seasonal schedule. Visiting critics have included designers such as [[Bob Mackie]], [[Francisco Costa (designer)|Francisco Costa]] for [[Calvin Klein]], [[Vera Wang]], [[Diane von Fürstenberg]], [[Isabel Toledo]], [[Isaac Mizrahi]], and [[Todd Oldham]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otis.edu/about/press/fashion_mentors_07.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307085847/http://www.otis.edu/about/press/fashion_mentors_07.html|archive-date=7 March 2012|title=Fashion Design Mentors for 2007}}</ref> Major designers such as [[Eduardo Lucero]] and [[Rick Owens]] are alumni of the program.
== Selected faculty ==
Notable faculty members include [[Guy Bennett]], [[Rosemary Brantley]], [[Linda Burnham]], [[Carole Caroompas]], [[Meg Cranston]], [[Roy Dowell]], [http://www.sneither.com Rogan Ferguson], [[Peter Gadol]], [[Gary Geraths]], [[Scott Grieger]], [http://www.lewishall.com Lewis Hall], [[Samuel Hoi]], [[Annetta Kapon]], [[Suzanne Lacy]], [http://ospace.otis.edu/Helena_JinAh_Min/About_Me Helena J. Min], [[Harry Mott]], [[Christian Mounger]], [[Kali Nikitas]], [[Joan Takayama-Ogawa]], [[Paul Vangelisti]], [[Charles Wilbert White]] and [[Michael Ragsdale Wright]].


== Artist-in-Residence ==
== Artists-in-Residence ==
* 1940s: [[Norman Rockwell]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com/harlems-norman-rockwell-an-american-master-1894-1978/|title=Harlem Legend Norman Rockwell, An American Master, 1894 – 1978|website=Harlem World Magazine|date=24 November 2020 }}</ref>
* Past (1940s): [[Norman Rockwell]]
* 2005: [[Shahzia Sikander]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shahziasikander.com/attachment/en/5a6f811a6aa72c6c268b4568/Publication/5a79e4c272a72c183a8b4567|title=Dissonance to Detour|website=Shahzia Sikander}}</ref>
* 2005: [[Shahzia Sikander]]
* 2006: [[Masami Teraoka]], [[Yamandu Canosa]]
* 2006: [[Masami Teraoka]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.masamiteraoka.com/resume|title=Resumé|website=Masami Teraoka}}</ref>
* 2007: [[Nancy Chunn]]
* 2007: [[Nancy Chunn]]
* 2008: [[Mark Dean Veca]]
* 2008: [[Mark Dean Veca]]


== Distinguished alumni ==
== Notable alumni ==
{{See also|Category:Otis College of Art and Design alumni}}
* 1920s: [[Ralston Crawford]], [[Harwell Hamilton Harris]], [[Edith Head]], [[Arthur Hill Gilbert]], [[John Hench]], [[Paul Landacre]], [[Ben H. Lewis]],<ref>Paul, Arthur G. ''Riverside Community Book'', A. H. Causton, Riverside, CA, 1954. Page 269.</ref> [[Edward L. Thrasher]], [[Milford Zornes]]

* 1930s: [[Philip Guston]], [[Dorothy Jeakins]], [[Tyrus Wong]]
== Notable faculty ==
* 1940s: [[John Altoon]], [[Joseph Mugnaini]]
{{See also|Category:Otis College of Art and Design faculty}}
* 1950s: [[Billy Al Bengston]], [[Robert Irwin]], [[John Mason (artist)|John Mason]], [[Paul Soldner]], [[Tom Van Sant]]
* 1960s: [[Bas Jan Ader]], [[Barry Le Va]], [[Masami Teraoka]], [[John Lees (artist)|John Lees]]
* 1970s: [[Carlos Almaraz]], [[Suzanne Caporael]], [[Alonzo Davis]], [[Roberto Gil de Montes]], [[Kim Gordon]], [[Bryan Hunt]], [[Kerry James Marshall]], [[May Sun]], [[Kent Twitchell]], [[Bruce Yonemoto]]
* 1980s: [[Diane Gamboa]], [[Lawrence Gipe]], [[David Le Vey]], [[Jim Rygiel]], [[Alison Saar]], [[Michael S. Smith (interior designer)|Michael S. Smith]], [[Patssi Valdez]], [[Jeffrey Vallance]], [[Darren Waterston]], [[Eleana del Rio]]
* 1990s: [[Gajin Fujita]], [[Camille Rose Garcia]], [[Sandeep Mukherjee]], [[Eduardo Lucero]], [[Khoi Vinh]], [[Susan Mondt]], [[J.T. Steiny]], [[Dean Tavoularis]], [[Kris Paulson]], [[Hideko Takahashi]], Eduardo Sarabia, Patrick Hill, Mario Ybarra, Ruben Ochoa,
* 2000s: [[Ben and Dennis Go]], [[David Tai Bornoff]], Tofer, Michael Zimmerman, Albert Valdez, Julia Montgomery, Corey Thering.


== Ben Maltz Gallery ==
== Ben Maltz Gallery ==
Originally located in [[MacArthur Park]], the Ben Maltz Gallery is currently located in Westchester, tucked inside the Otis College of Art in Design. The Ben Maltz Gallery showcases regional and international artists within the LA art community.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nohoartsdistrict.com/centennial-ben-maltz-gallery/|title=Centennial {{!}} Ben Maltz Gallery|last=Gallina|first=Raleigh|date=1 October 2019|website=Noho Arts District}}</ref>
The [[Ben Maltz Gallery]] at Otis College is a professional art space that presents group and solo exhibitions in a variety of media. The Gallery's main focus is showcasing [[contemporary art]] that pushes the boundaries of form and subject matter in the context of national and international programming. Serving the local art community, the public, and Otis students and faculty, the Maltz Gallery presents emerging and established Los Angeles talent as well as international artists.

== In popular culture ==
The film ''[[Art School Confidential (film)|Art School Confidential]]'' (2006) was partially filmed at Otis. Otis Foundation Professor Gary Geraths worked as a consultant on the film.<ref>{{cite web|work=Otis.edu|publisher=Otis College of Art and Design|url=https://www.otis.edu/faculty/gary-geraths|title=Gary Geraths|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817101037/https://www.otis.edu/faculty/gary-geraths|archive-date=August 17, 2014}}</ref>


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
* {{official website|www.otis.edu}}
* [http://www.otis.edu Otis College of Art and Design website]
* [http://www.kcet.org/lifeandtimes/archives/200606/20060621.php Transcript from KCET's Life & Times]
* [http://www.otis.edu/media/Sammy-KCET.html KCET Video Interview with President [[Samuel Hoi]] and Tour of the Campus]


{{Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design}}
{{Colleges and universities in Los Angeles County}}
{{Colleges and universities in Los Angeles County}}
{{coord missing|Los Angeles County, California}}
{{Westchester, Los Angeles}}
{{Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design}}

{{coord|33.956611|-118.417135|type:edu_globe:earth_region:US-CA|display=title}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Otis College of Art and Design| ]]
[[Category:Otis College of Art and Design| ]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Art schools in California]]
[[Category:Art schools in California]]
[[Category:Design schools]]
[[Category:Design schools in the United States]]
[[Category:Fashion schools]]
[[Category:Fashion schools in the United States]]
[[Category:Art in the Greater Los Angeles Area]]
[[Category:Private universities and colleges in California]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1918]]
[[Category:National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities members]]
[[Category:Schools accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges]]
[[Category:Schools accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Arts organizations established in 1918]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1918]]

[[Category:1918 establishments in California]]
[[sh:Otis College of Art and Design]]
[[Category:Eliot Noyes buildings]]
[[Category:Westchester, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Westlake, Los Angeles]]<!--original location-->
[[Category:Westside (Los Angeles County)]]
[[Category:Art in Greater Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Animation schools in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 04:50, 10 October 2024

Otis College of Art and Design
Former name
Otis Art Institute (1918–1977),
Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design (1978–1991)
TypePrivate art and design school
Established1918
AccreditationWSCUC
PresidentCharles Hirschhorn
Undergraduates1,093
Postgraduates60 (MFA)
Location
Westchester, Los Angeles
,
California
,
United States
CampusUrban
NicknameOwls
MascotOtis Owl
Websitewww.otis.edu

Otis College of Art and Design is a private art and design school in Los Angeles, California, United States.[1] Established in 1918, it was the city's first independent professional school of art.[2] The main campus is located in the former IBM Aerospace headquarters at 9045 Lincoln Boulevard in Westchester, Los Angeles. The school's programs, accredited by the WSCUC and National Association of Schools of Art and Design, include BFA and MFA degrees.

History

[edit]
The Ahmanson building at Otis College of Art and Design

Otis, long considered one of the major art institutions in California, began in 1918, when Los Angeles Times founder Harrison Gray Otis bequeathed his Westlake, Los Angeles, property to start the first public, independent professional school of art in Southern California.[3] The current Otis College main campus (since spring 1997) is located in the Westchester area of Los Angeles, close to the Los Angeles International Airport. The main building (built in 1963) was designed by architect Eliot Noyes for IBM, and is famous for its computer "punched card" style windows.[4] However, Otis would not live to see the college's grand opening as he died the previous year in 1917.[5]

The building was extensively remodeled in 1997 by the college when it moved from its original location across the street from MacArthur Park near downtown Los Angeles.[6] The Galef Center, made for the Fine Arts department, was designed by Fredrick Fisher and built in 2001.

A ceramics school was begun by Peter Voulkos at Otis in the 1950s and was part of art movements like the Craft-to-Art movement, also known as the American Clay Revolution,[7] which influenced the Ferus Gallery scene of the 1960s. Many prominent artists associated with Southern California's Light and Space movement were involved with the school, as well as leaders of the conceptual art world of the 1970s. Moreover, Otis nurtured significant Latino artists, including Marisol Escobar, and the mural group Los Four also originated at Otis in the 1970s.

The school was originally named Otis Art Institute. From 1978 until 1991, it was affiliated with New York's Parsons School of Design and known as Otis–Parsons (full name: Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design, a division of the New School for Social Research).[8] This affiliation allowed students to spend a semester or more at the Parsons schools in New York and Paris. In summer 1991, it became independent again and known as Otis College of Art and Design.[3]

As of 2005, it is one of the most culturally diverse private schools of art and design in the country.[9] In 2022, the college received the largest donation in its history from the Spiegel Family Fund, which was founded by CEO of Snapchat (Snap Inc.), Evan Spiegel. The donation paid off the debt of the graduating class, 77% of whom identify as people of color.

The president of Otis College is Charles Hirschhorn, since June 2020.[10][11][12]

Rankings and programs

[edit]

Otis is known for its digital media programs. In 2024, Animation Career Review ranked its animation program #22 in the United States,[13] and in 2023, #8 in California.[14] In 2023, it also ranked Otis as #13 for visual effects programs in the United States,[15] and #10 in California for Game Design.[16]

Otis is also known for its fine arts programs. In 2023, Animation Career Review ranked its graphic design program as #21 in the United States,[17] and #4 in California.[18] In 2024, Animation Career Review also ranked its Illustration program as #15 in the United States,[19] and #3 in California.[20]

Finally, it is known for its fashion design program. Under the direction of Rosemary Brantley, this program is considered one of the top fashion design programs of its kind in the U.S.[21] Otis Fashion Design is housed at the California Market Center in downtown Los Angeles. Students benefit from working closely with design mentors and are trained in all aspects of the design process while emulating a fashion design studio, and following the industry's seasonal schedule. Visiting critics have included designers such as Bob Mackie, Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, Diane von Fürstenberg, Isabel Toledo, Isaac Mizrahi, and Todd Oldham.[22] Major designers such as Eduardo Lucero and Rick Owens are alumni of the program.

Artists-in-Residence

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Notable alumni

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See also: Category:Otis College of Art and Design alumni

Notable faculty

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See also: Category:Otis College of Art and Design faculty
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Originally located in MacArthur Park, the Ben Maltz Gallery is currently located in Westchester, tucked inside the Otis College of Art in Design. The Ben Maltz Gallery showcases regional and international artists within the LA art community.[26]

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The film Art School Confidential (2006) was partially filmed at Otis. Otis Foundation Professor Gary Geraths worked as a consultant on the film.[27]

References

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  1. ^ Shultz, Tyler (March 10, 2022). "Otis College of Art and Design Announces O-Launch". www.apparelnews.net. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
  2. ^ "Otis College of Art and Design". Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Lord, Rosemary (2002). Los Angeles Then and Now. San Diego: Thunder Bay Press. pp. 50–51. ISBN 1571457941.
  4. ^ "The IBM Punched Card". 7 March 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014.
  5. ^ "Sudden Death Strikes Harrison Gray Otis". The Atlanta Constitution. 1917-07-31. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  6. ^ "Otis College of Art and Design Timeline/History". Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  7. ^ "PETER VOULKOS". ArtScene. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
  8. ^ "Parsons and Otis: Art School Merger". The New York Times. May 17, 1979. p. 5.
  9. ^ "Otis: Nine Decades of Los Angeles Art Exhibition Highlight Lasting Impact of LA Artists & Movements" (PDF). Los Angeles, CA. October 12, 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 26, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  10. ^ "Charles Hirschhorn Appointed President Of Otis College Of Art And Design". Artforum. 2020-02-26. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  11. ^ Vankin, Deborah (2020-02-26). "Otis College of Art and Design picks entertainment executive as its new president". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2020-02-26.
  12. ^ "Carnegie Museum of Art Names Next Director". ARTnews.com. 2020-02-24. Archived from the original on 2020-02-25.
  13. ^ Animation Career Review (2024). "Top 50 Animation Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2024 College Rankings". Animation Career Review. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  14. ^ Animation Career Review (2024). "Top 20 Animation School Programs in California - 2023 College Rankings". Animation Career Review. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  15. ^ Animation Career Review (2024). "What are the top visual effects schools in the U.S. for 2023?". Animation Career Review. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  16. ^ Animation Career Review (2024). "Top 10 Game Design Schools and Colleges in California - 2023 College Rankings". Animation Career Review. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  17. ^ Animation Career Review (2024). "Top 50 Graphic Design Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2023 Rankings". Animation Career Review. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  18. ^ Animation Career Review (2024). "Top 20 Graphic Design School Programs in California - 2023 College Rankings". Animation Career Review. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  19. ^ Animation Career Review (2024). "Top 50 Illustration Schools and Colleges in the U.S. - 2024 College Rankings". Animation Career Review. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  20. ^ Animation Career Review (2024). "Top 10 Illustration Schools and Colleges in California - 2024 College Rankings". Animation Career Review. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  21. ^ "Jackie Wickser". The Future Channel. Archived from the original on 21 November 2011.
  22. ^ "Fashion Design Mentors for 2007". Archived from the original on 7 March 2012.
  23. ^ "Harlem Legend Norman Rockwell, An American Master, 1894 – 1978". Harlem World Magazine. 24 November 2020.
  24. ^ "Dissonance to Detour". Shahzia Sikander.
  25. ^ "Resumé". Masami Teraoka.
  26. ^ Gallina, Raleigh (1 October 2019). "Centennial | Ben Maltz Gallery". Noho Arts District.
  27. ^ "Gary Geraths". Otis.edu. Otis College of Art and Design. Archived from the original on August 17, 2014.
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33°57′24″N 118°25′02″W / 33.956611°N 118.417135°W / 33.956611; -118.417135

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