CalArts Podcasts

California Institute of the Arts

Listen to stories from the CalArts community of artists. Meet our alums, faculty and students who are transforming the world through their art practices. 

  1. Beyond the Blue Wall: A Conversation with School of Film/Video Dean, Ranu Mukherjee

    04/04/2025

    Beyond the Blue Wall: A Conversation with School of Film/Video Dean, Ranu Mukherjee

    This is the second episode in a series of conversations we’re having with the deans at CalArts.  Henderson sits down with Ranu Mukherjee, the dean of CalArts’ largest School Film/Video, who was appointed dean in August 2024. View the slideshow used during the discussion. Our Season 3 theme music was created and performed by 2018 graduate, Nicolas Savignano. You can learn more about Nico by visiting him on Instagram at @_oknico Beyond the Blue Wall is a production of the CalArts Office of Advancement. You can find all of the episodes at https://calarts.edu/about-calarts/newsroom/podcast.

    53 min
  2. Beyond the Blue Wall: A Conversation with School of Art Dean, Steven Lam

    02/04/2025

    Beyond the Blue Wall: A Conversation with School of Art Dean, Steven Lam

    This is the first episode in a series of conversations we’re having with the deans at CalArts.  Henderson sits down with Steven Lam, who has been dean of the School of Art and the Kraus Family Endowed Chair in Art since 2022. Recorded in October 2024, this conversation delves into Steven’s approach to leadership, his perspective on art education, and his vision for the School of Art at CalArts. Learn more about the School of Art Our Season 3 theme music was created and performed by 2018 graduate, Nicolas Savignano. You can learn more about Nico by visiting him on Instagram at @_oknico Beyond the Blue Wall is a production of the CalArts Office of Advancement. You can find all of the episodes at https://calarts.edu/about-calarts/newsroom/podcast.

    43 min
  3. Beyond the Blue Wall: 50+50

    12/13/2024

    Beyond the Blue Wall: 50+50

    50+50: A Creative Century from Chouinard to CalArts is an alumni and artist-led scholarship endowment initiative launched in 2020, as the Institute prepared to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. In this episode, we explore this unprecedented project with Associate Dean of the School of Art, Michael Ned Holte, and artist, Andrea Bowers (Art MFA 92). The Beyond the Blue Wall theme music (the intro“Lima” and the outro “Salta”) was created and performed by 2018 graduate, Nicolas Savignano. You can learn more about Nico by visiting him on Instagram at @_oknico.  Learn more about Beyond the Blue Wall on the CalArts website. Beyond the Blue Wall is a production of the CalArts Office of Advancement. You can find all of the episodes at https://calarts.edu/about-calarts/newsroom/podcast.

    28 min
  4. Beyond the Blue Wall: Tori Danner

    05/13/2024

    Beyond the Blue Wall: Tori Danner

    Tori Danner (Theater MFA 19) was born in Benin City, Nigeria and raised in Kuwait. She received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Mass Communications and Media from the American University of Kuwait. Her dream from an early age, however, was to become an actress, so she decided to pursue an MFA in Acting at CalArts. Shortly after graduating, Tori booked a recurring role on the hit CBS comedy series, Bob Hearts Abishola. The Beyond the Blue Wall Season 3 theme music (the intro“Lima” and the outro “Salta”) was created and performed by 2018 graduate, Nicolas Savignano. You can learn more about Nico by visiting him on Instagram at @_oknico.  Beyond the Blue Wall is a production of the CalArts Office of Advancement. You can find all of the episodes at https://calarts.edu/about-calarts/newsroom/podcast.

    52 min
  5. Beyond the Blue Wall: Kataneh Vahdani

    04/16/2024

    Beyond the Blue Wall: Kataneh Vahdani

    Kataneh Vahdani (BFA Character Animation 05; MFA Experimental Animation 08) grew up in Iran. She is a director, animation creator, story artist, and educator, and came to the US with her mother and brother when she was a teenager, beginning her journey at CalArts when she was just 16 years old. You can learn more about Kataneh on her website. Please note this episode contains a discussion about suicide. Please listen with care. If you are thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the 988 Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. The Beyond the Blue Wall Season 3 theme music (the intro“Lima” and the outro “Salta”) was created and performed by 2018 graduate, Nicolas Savignano. You can learn more about Nico by visiting him on Instagram at @_oknico.  Beyond the Blue Wall is a production of the CalArts Office of Advancement. You can find all of the episodes at https://calarts.edu/about-calarts/newsroom/podcast.

    37 min
  6. Beyond the Blue Wall: World Music Festival

    03/19/2024

    Beyond the Blue Wall: World Music Festival

    Launched in 1978, The World Music Festival has its roots in CalArts’ World Music program in the Herb Alpert School of Music. As we prepare for the The 2024 World Music Festival in April, we are joined by the co-directors of the World Music Program specialization, Yeko Ladzekpo-Cole and Andrew Grueschow, who talk about the history of the World Music Festival, how it has evolved, and what we can expect for 2024. Watch to learn more about the 2024 World Music Festival, April 26 - 28.The intro music used in this episode is titled “Bamaya”  The outro music used in this episode is titled "Jera”  These live performances were recorded in Accra, Ghana.  Produced by retired CalArts faculty, Kobla Ladzekpo, under his record label Zadonu Records (copyright 2001)  Co-produced by Andrew Grueschow. "Bamaya" is danced by men dressed as women.  This tradition began as a way to please the gods so they would bring rain.   "Jera" is music that is sometimes performed at large funerals. The dance that accompanies it is not very common. Beyond the Blue Wall is a production of the CalArts Office of Advancement. You can find all of the episodes at https://calarts.edu/about-calarts/newsroom/podcast.

    35 min
  7. Beyond the Blue Wall: Jinal Sangoi

    02/13/2024

    Beyond the Blue Wall: Jinal Sangoi

    Jinal Sangoi (Art MFA 18) is an artist and educator, currently living in Mumbai, who weaves art, design, pedagogy, and community through her participatory and collaborative practice, designing creative methodologies for experiential learning with a particular interest in the ideas of care, home, nature, gender, and resistance.  While at CalArts, Jinal was the recipient of the Tim Disney Prize for the Storytelling Arts, among other awards and scholarships. After receiving her MFA, Jinal participated in a program for recent CalArts graduate students known as the REEF Residency, where she received a stipend and free studio space for one year in downtown Los Angeles.  Learn more about Jinal Sangoi and her art practice Learn more about the REEF Residency programThe Beyond the Blue Wall Season 3 theme music (the intro“Lima” and the outro “Salta”) was created and performed by 2018 graduate, Nicolas Savignano. You can learn more about Nico by visiting him on Instagram at @_oknico.  Beyond the Blue Wall is a production of the CalArts Office of Advancement. You can find all of the episodes at https://calarts.edu/about-calarts/newsroom/podcast.

    35 min
  8. Beyond the Blue Wall: Esteban Ramón Pérez

    01/16/2024

    Beyond the Blue Wall: Esteban Ramón Pérez

    Esteban Ramón Pérez (Art BFA 17) taps into his experience as a professional upholsterer, often working with leather to produce works that intertwine the cultural and artistic sensibilities of his Chicano heritage with issues he identifies as rooted in postcolonial history. Esteban’s work embodies facets of art histories, popular icons, subjectivity, spirituality, and social issues. Esteban’s work has been shown in numerous solo and group exhibitions across the United States and around the world. In 2023, his work was featured as part of Made in L.A., the Hammer Museum’s biennial exhibition highlighting the practices of artists working throughout the greater Los Angeles area. To learn more about Esteban’s practice, visit his website. The Beyond the Blue Wall Season 3 theme music (the intro“Lima” and the outro “Salta”) was created and performed by 2018 graduate, Nicolas Savignano. You can learn more about Nico by visiting him on Instagram at @_oknico.  Beyond the Blue Wall is a production of the CalArts Office of Advancement. You can find all of the episodes at https://calarts.edu/about-calarts/newsroom/podcast.

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
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7 Ratings

About

Listen to stories from the CalArts community of artists. Meet our alums, faculty and students who are transforming the world through their art practices. 

Information

  • Creator
    California Institute of the Arts
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 CalArts Podcasts
  • Show Website
    CalArts Podcasts