President

Dear Otis Community,

Confronting overt and subtle racism against Black people is a critically important issue facing the country, the art and design world, and Otis. As a community committed to lifelong learning we must reflect on and address the impact of systemic racism throughout our society.  Otis is committed to better understanding how systemic racism can impact our community and to ensuring that we do everything we can to eliminate its impact on our community, for the future of all of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Dear Otis College Community,

On my first day as President at Otis, I want to acknowledge the pain felt within our Community spurred by the recent and tragic killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, among so many others. Personally, I feel a moral obligation to speak out against injustice. Black people in America are uniquely affected by systemic racism, racial profiling, and police brutality. We all need to work together to actively address structural inequality in our society, and in higher education. Black Lives Matter at Otis.

Dear Extended Otis Community, 

I am honored and look forward to working with you as the new President of Otis College of Art and Design. Please watch my welcome message, in which I share a message for different parts of our community. 

One of the things about Otis that inspires me is the deep sense of community I have witnessed over these past two months and earlier, as I was talking to the community about becoming your next President. Those conversations have continued, and I look forward to speaking with many more of you in the coming months.

Dear Extended Otis College Community,

I write to share some reflections on a life and career that I’ve spent at Otis College of Art and Design—most recently as Interim President—including some thoughts about moments of sudden change, reminiscent of what we’re experiencing today.

In the excitement and anticipation of Charles Hirschhorn’s first official day as Otis College President, we will be getting to know him over the next several weeks.

Los Angeles — February 26, 2020 — The Board of the Trustees of Otis College of Art and Design today announced Charles Hirschhorn as its next president, effective June 1, 2020. Mr. Hirschhorn, currently President of AEG Television, is a recognized leader in entertainment and the arts, and also serves as a Trustee of the Berklee College of Music.