The California Institute of Arts (CalArts) has announced that Steven D. Lavine will step down as president of the prestigious art school in May 2017.

The school thanked Lavine for an “unprecedented 29-year tenure,” and praised him for his “leadership, creativity and innovation.”

According to ArtForum under Lavine’s leadership the institution’s endowment tripled and fundraising increased by a staggering 476 percent.

CalArts flourished under Lavines leadership.
Photo: pulung.ga

A statement on the CalArts website explained that the timing of the announcement gives Lavine another two full academic years to focus on key goals whilst allowing the board of trustees plenty of time to find a suitable successor.

“On behalf of the CalArts Board of Trustees, I would like to thank President Lavine for his exceptional leadership and dedication over nearly three decades,” Tim Disney, chairman of the board of trustees said. “His strategic and creative vision has enriched CalArts in ways few could have imagined.”

Lavine said, “When I arrived in 1988, CalArts was already nationally recognized but was in fragile condition economically, administratively and creatively.”

The timing of the announcement gives the school two years to find a successor.
Photo: Scott Groller via CalArts

He added “Now we have a highly engaged Board of Trustees, forward looking leadership in place, stable finances and strong academic programs…The time is right for me to leave CalArts with profound belief in the necessity to maintain and strengthen this irreplaceable institution.”

Lavine told the LA Times that he aims to use the remaining two years of his tenure to increase funds for scholarships and transform “the school’s governing structure into one that is more transparent, and further increasing diversity.”