The history of Idyllwild Arts is a rich tapestry that has been woven by many benevolent patrons, passionate educators, and dedicated visionaries during its six-decades.
Incorporated as an arts education institution in 1946 by an inspired group of stellar benefactors, Idyllwild Arts was envisioned to provide a secluded place where people of all backgrounds could come together to experience the arts.
The principal founders were Dr. Max and Mrs. Beatrice Krone who assembled a small but prominent group of pioneers -- Dr. Robert Kingsley and William Hartshorn, both professors at the University of Southern California, as well as Alfred Wallenstein, conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at the time.
The concept was simple: establish an educational arts institution “for the purpose of promoting and advancing artistic and cultural development primarily for the advancement of instruction in music and the arts.”
Thus the Idyllwild Arts Foundation was born and since its inception, Idyllwild Arts has more than fulfilled the legacy of these pioneers.
The Mission of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation is to promote and advance artistic and cultural development through education in a beautiful, natural environment conducive to positive personal growth.
The Idyllwild Arts Academy provides pre-professional training in the arts and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum to a diverse student body of gifted young artists from all over the world.
The Idyllwild Arts Summer Program provides arts instruction and experiences of the highest caliber to a diverse student population of all ages and abilities.
Idyllwild Arts’ idyllic mountain setting inspired its name. Set on over 200 acres situated in the mountain village of Idyllwild, Idyllwild Arts is a unique educational institution with a focus in all art forms for all artists of every age and level of accomplishment.
Although the Idyllwild Arts’ sprawling and pine-forested campus comprises 205 acres in the San Jacinto Mountains, it is only a short 2 hour drive from Los Angeles and San Diego.
Idyllwild Arts has a long and rich history of nurturing the creative talents of thousands of artists. Since the late 1940s Idyllwild Arts has been dedicated to providing the ideal environment for artists in every artistic discipline to seriously pursue their artistic passions.
Idyllwild Arts: Two Dynamic Programs
The Idyllwild Arts Academy is the country’s premier and internationally-acclaimed residential arts high school (September through May) which provides pre-professional training in the arts and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum to a diverse student body of gifted young artists. Idyllwild Arts Academy`s 300 students hail from more than 25 countries and pursue artistic excellence in Music, Theatre, Dance, Visual Art, Creative Writing, Moving Pictures, InterArts / Fashion Design. Graduates of Idyllwild Arts Academy currently excel in every professional field of the arts including Broadway theatre, primetime television, classical and jazz music, motion pictures, graphic design, photography and more.
The Idyllwild Arts Summer Program provides high calibre arts instruction and memorable arts immersion workshops to a diverse student population of all ages and abilities. Nearly 2,000 children, youth, adults and families participate in the diverse summer program featuring workshops in all the arts and specifically tailored to all proficiency levels and ages. The Summer program provides children, teens, adults and professional artists intensive practical instruction in all the visual arts and performing arts – sculpture, painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, Native American arts, moving pictures, fashion design, dance, music, theatre and creative writing.
www.idyllwildarts.org - 13464 - Idyllwild Arts Academy High School
