Dear CCA Community,

Welcome to the fall semester at CCA! It’s thrilling to feel the energy of the students, faculty, and staff back on campus after the summer break. I am so pleased to welcome both our newest creative students as well as those continuing their journey with us. 

Last week, our Office of Student Belonging & Inclusion hosted a fantastic welcome week and Chimera Palooza including a convocation to officially mark the beginning of the new year. Students and families had the opportunity to tour campus, attend informational sessions, and meet other Chimeras through engaging activities and events. 

Though we’ve just begun the semester, the college’s lineup of exhibitions and events is already quite full. Our talented students are showcasing their work in an exhibition on campus titled New Look 2023, featuring both new and returning students. Faculty will also exhibit their work focused on personal stories of belonging, care, and community in stories of us at the new CCA Campus Gallery, which we were proud to have opened earlier this year. Rounding out the openings, The CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Art’s latest exhibition Ana Jotta: Never the Less opens on September 7. 

I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to our new chairs and faculty joining the college, including both new hires from the community and current faculty members who are taking on leadership roles. Being centered in the San Francisco Bay Area is a huge benefit to our community as we are able to learn from some of the most inspiring creative professionals in the world. I can’t wait to see what these individuals bring to CCA!

Whether you’re just joining CCA or returning after the summer break, you’ll no doubt notice the activity happening adjacent to campus. In about 10 months, our Double Ground campus expansion will be completed. With work on construction accelerating dramatically over the summer, the pavilions and structures that were once only models, renderings, and sketches are quickly rising and on track to open by fall 2024.

With much excitement comes a bittersweet moment for me, personally. The beginning of this semester marks the end of my career here at CCA. I will retire this fall humbled by everything this community of talented, passionate, and committed people who collectively serve our educational mission have been able to accomplish together. CCA is poised for a new era of inspirational teaching and learning, and I look forward to welcoming the next president to lead CCA’s exceptional creative community. 

Welcome to all and thank you for all that you do. I wish you all a wonderful academic year. 

Warmly, 

Steve Beal