Camarillo, CA. – CSU Channel Islands (CI) unveiled on Friday renovated facilities in Napa Hall to help expand the Art program. Through the generosity of Mike Curb – musician, politician, and philanthropist – a new production and post production studio facility was also unveiled. The Mike Curb Studios, which comprises one third of Napa Hall’s space, includes the latest state-of-the-art studio technology and will provide students with hands on experience in film and video production, post-production and visual effects, animation, gaming, and music.

CI has been exploring the idea of expanding existing programs to create hybrid programs involving new technology in the area of multimedia, and the business of entertainment with an emphasis on film, video animation gaming and music. This would be a crossover of the subject areas of art, computer science, and business.

The addition of the Mike Curb Studios allows CI to further advance educational capacity both in art education and in entertainment industry management and production. There are currently courses dealing with entertainment, including a lecture series of professionals from the video, television, film, and music industries. Some of the speakers have included recording artist LeAnn Rimes; Neil Portnow, President and CEO of The Recording Academy; Orly Adelson, President and CEO of Dick Clark Productions; and Budd Carr, film music supervisor to Oliver Stone.

“As a result of Mike Curb’s generosity, CI has a state-of-the-art production and post production studio that will facilitate the creation of new curriculum related to a wide range of areas in the entertainment industry,” stated Professor Jack Reilly, chair of the Art program at CI. “Our students now have the opportunity to produce work in a professional environment, which will ultimately lead to new and increased opportunities for them in the entertainment industry upon graduation.”

Attendees at the unveiling included the campus community, Curb, and Mark Hartley, partner and owner of Fitzgerald Hartley Company, a music talent management company. Hartley has been involved with CI as the Chairman of the Entertainment Studies Advisory Board and has pulled together many industry professionals and other resources to offer assistance in the effort.

CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives.