Photo courtesy - Steve Johnson/Unsplash
The National Animation Museum (NAM) and the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) announced a new collaboration that brings together two influential leaders in animation to explore future-facing opportunities across education, programming and industry engagement. The collaboration was formally announced at the NAM Collaborators Event held on January 31 in Burbank, California.
The event brought together museum, animation industry and education leaders and featured original artwork from the Joe Ranft Collection shown publicly for the first time, made possible by the Ranft Family Trust.
The NAM and CalArts collaboration is intended to explore new models for how animation is taught, experienced, and shared with the public. By connecting CalArts’ legacy of artist-driven experimentation with the National Animation Museum’s focus on storytelling, exhibitions and immersive experiences, the institutions will evaluate opportunities that bridge education, industry and audiences. Potential areas of collaboration include co-developed programs and exhibitions, student-led initiatives, research and creative exchange and public-facing experiences that reflect the evolving future of animation.
Eddie Newquist, CEO and Founder of the National Animation Museum, said, “Animation is at a pivotal moment; technologically, creatively and culturally. Partnering with CalArts allows us to explore how education, experimentation, and public storytelling can come together in meaningful new ways. This collaboration is about creating pathways for artists and audiences to engage with where animation has been, and where it’s going next.”
Ravi Rajan, President, CalArts added, “CalArts has long been a place where artists are encouraged to challenge conventions and imagine what’s possible. Collaborating with the National Animation Museum creates an opportunity to extend that spirit beyond the classroom, connecting our students and faculty with new audiences and contexts for animation as a living, evolving art form.”
During the NAM Collaborators Event, the National Animation Museum also provided an in-depth progress update on its planning efforts and announced that it is seeking development funding for Phase 2 of its project. Phase 2 is scheduled to begin in 2027 and will focus on specific site selection and comprehensive business planning.