The Idyllwild Arts Foundation History

The mission of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation is to promote and advance artistic and cultural development through arts education in a beautiful, natural environment. Formerly known as the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts (ISOMATA), it has served the arts community since 1950. Situated on a 200-acre forested campus in the San Jacinto Mountains in Southern California, the school offers a comprehensive series of workshops and seminars covering all aspects of the visual and performing arts.

The renowned Idyllwild Arts Summer Program provides instruction of the highest caliber in the visual and performing arts to a diverse student population of all ages and abilities.

Established in 1986, Idyllwild Arts Academy is a fully accredited boarding high school, providing pre-professional training in the arts and comprehensive college preparatory academics to a student body of gifted young artists from all over the world. Students major in music, theatre, dance, visual arts, creative writing or moving pictures.

Where We Are Today

As of the 2007-2008 academic year there were over 265 gifted 8th through 12th grade students attending the Arts Academy from over 30 states and more than 20 countries. More than $3,400,000 in financial aid was awarded to students many of whom were from California. Graduating seniors will attend some of the most prestigious colleges and conservatories, such as Juilliard, Curtis Institute, Eastman College and Carnegie Mellon University.

The Idyllwild Arts 2006 Summer Program attracted over 1,700 participants to its intensive hands-on workshops and seminars in the arts for all ages, and an even higher attendance is expected this year.

Arts Academy and Summer Program students come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and many must rely on scholarship support. Please help the Associates of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation make their dreams come true!