Claire Trevor School of the Arts

The Claire Trevor School of the Arts is a brutalist complex at University of California, Irvine, with multiple connected buildings defined by solid geometric forms and overhead canopies. The Contemporary Arts Center, added in 2011, provides extensive studio spaces, galleries, and performance venues for all artistic disciplines.

Architect William Pereira designed this educational facility in 1970 with modular elements reflecting the modernist movement of that era. The landscape was redesigned in 2005 by Maya Lin, incorporating an outdoor theater and native plantings.

The school houses four departments for Art, Dance, Drama, and Music, each offering specialized programs that shape the creative life of the campus.

The complex is accessible through the University of California, Irvine campus and can be visited during semester weeks. Note that some areas may be reserved for private events, so it is wise to check which spaces and galleries are open beforehand.

The grounds include a special outdoor theater area integrated into the natural topography, used for both performances and informal gatherings. This often-overlooked space creates a subtle bridge between the architectural severity of the complex and the surrounding landscape.

Location: Irvine

Inception: 1970

Architects: William Pereira

Architectural style: brutalism

Website: http://arts.uci.edu

GPS coordinates: 33.64970,-117.84500

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:27