Timeline

The documented history of the school’s first 18 years was lost in a fire in 1979. A pre-1979 chronology has been compiled from newspaper articles and personal recollections of the early supporters. The college welcomes corrections or additions.

1961

Founded as the Laguna Beach School of Art by members of the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts and Laguna Beach Art Assn. (now the Laguna Art Museum), with the mission of “providing community art education of the highest quality in the region.” Under the leadership of David Young, the festival gave $5,000 and 20 friends gave $1,000 each to build the first studios on Festival Grounds. Ruth Osgood Salyer was the first director.

1966

Separately incorporated from the festival as a not-for-profit organization.

1974

Realizing the need for a women’s support group, Muriel Reynolds, assisted by Yvonne Crowshaw, organized Designing Women to maintain and increase public support of the School of Art.

1975

Purchased the first portion of land at the present site in Laguna Canyon, about 3.4 acres, from the Irvine Co. for $54,000. Athalia Clark, a founding member of Designing Women and mother of Joan Irvine, was instrumental in the purchase.

1977

The school moved to its present site, to buildings designed by local architect Christian Abel. Fred Lang was the landscape architect who used native plants almost entirely. Total cost was about $400,000.

1980

Fred Biggs was the architect on a new administration building after the original burned in a fire the previous year.

1982

National Assn. of Schools of Art and Design accreditation received for a three-year certificate. The name was changed to Laguna Beach College of Art.

1983-1985

Transition years from a primarily community arts school to a college. The name was changed to Art Institute of Southern California (1985).

1987

First National Assn. of Schools of Art and Design accreditation received as a four-year college granting Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. At the time, “the only accredited, independent, degree-granting college of art and design in Orange, San Diego or Riverside counties.”

1984-1991

Preparation for accreditation by the Western Assn. of Schools and Colleges under the leadership of Nancy Snyder. Collector’s Choice and President’s Club established (1990). First 15 students graduated with a BFA, and Roger Armstrong, long-time supporter, founder and admired teacher, was awarded an honorary doctorate (1990).

1993

Parking lot property purchased from the Irvine Co. for $175,000, following a campaign initiated by Nancy Snyder. Fire in Laguna Canyon nearly destroys the buildings; firefighters are honored at a Thanksgiving party.

1997

First Western Assn. of Schools and Colleges accreditation received.

1997-2004

A period of growth in enrollment, computer technology, animation curriculum and development of off-site studios. Name changed to Laguna College of Art & Design (2002).

2006

Master of Fine Arts in Painting launched. Additional off-site studios obtained (South Campus) in Laguna Canyon. Enrollment for the school year 2006-2007 projected at more than 300 undergraduates and 19 graduate students.