The California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) is proud to partner with The Academy of Art University (The Academy) in San Francisco to further the careers of CSSSA alumni. In 2010, the Academy of Art University, the largest private school of art and design in the United States, awarded one Presidential Scholarship, a four-year full-time college scholarship, to Kevin Shaw, an art and animation student at Santa Rosa High School in Sonoma County, and one Summer Scholarship to Lilly Khanmalek, a printing and printmaking student at Hamilton High School in Los Angeles County. The scholarship awards totaled $102,120.

“The ability to provide scholarships to California State Summer School of the Arts graduates is a mutually beneficial partnership that supports The Academy of Arts’ mission to prepare students for professional careers in the arts,” says Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of The Academy of Art University. “Since 1929, when my Grandfather founded the University, we have been committed to providing opportunities for talented young people and we are delighted to support California State Summer School for the Arts alumni by enabling them to pursue their artistic aspirations at The Academy of Art University.”

The Academy of Art University is continuing its support for CSSSA alumni in 2011 by contributing two additional scholarships to CSSSA graduates upon the close of its 25th summer session this year. The Academy of Art University was established in San Francisco in 1929, founded on the philosophy of hiring established professionals to teach future professionals. The Academy’s curriculum connects students with new technologies and industry trends through state-of-the art facilities and resources. Today the Academy has more than 17,000 students pursuing a variety of degrees and disciplines: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Associate of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Architecture, Certificate Programs or Continuing Art Education courses, with over 30 areas of academic emphasis. For more information about Academy of Art University, please visit: http://www.academyart.edu