Cal State LA receives Getty grant to process Compton Communicative Arts Academy archive

Cal State LA has been awarded a $265,000 grant from the Getty Foundation to process the archive of the Compton Communicative Arts Academy (CCAA) Collection as part of the Black Visual Arts Archives initiative. The CCAA archive is housed in the University Library’s Special Collections and Archives.

The grant will support the University Library’s efforts to preserve and make accessible the rich and under-documented history of Black visual arts and culture in Southern California.

“We are honored to receive this generous grant from Getty,” said Carlos Rodriguez, dean of the University Library at Cal State LA. “This support affirms the historical and cultural significance of the CCAA Collection and the importance of making this material available to the public.”

The Compton Communicative Arts Academy, founded in the late 1960s, was a groundbreaking Black arts institution that nurtured visual and performing artists, filmmakers, and community activists during a pivotal era of cultural expression and social change in Los Angeles. The collection consists of slides, negatives, photographs, and pamphlets that document the academy’s creative output and grassroots legacy.

“The CCAA was more than an arts center—it was a force for community transformation through creative expression,” said Azalea Camacho, head of Special Collections and Archives at Cal State LA. “This project ensures that the legacy of the CCAA and the artists it nurtured will remain accessible to future generations.”

Getty funding will allow Cal State LA to catalog, preserve, and provide digital public access to this vital collection. The two-year project will focus on processing approximately 4,400 photographic materials that document the vibrant intersection of art, community, and social change in Black Los Angeles communities from 1968 to 1985.

In collaboration with community partners, the processing of the CCAA Collection is expected to include a series of public programming events. These events, which will showcase the digital collection and engage diverse audiences, are anticipated to include a panel discussion and a walking tour. The materials will ultimately be accessible through the Cal State LA Digital Repository, which builds on past digitization efforts and public engagement.

Getty’s Black Visual Arts Archives is a program aimed at expanding understanding of the contributions of Black artists and architects to American art. The initiative works to activate archival collections related to their work, shedding light on the vital roles these artists played in shaping cultural movements and the broader artistic landscape.

“This grant to Cal State LA supports that mission by preserving and elevating the historical significance of Black artists and arts organizations in Southern California,” Camacho added.