Founded in 1907 by German-born cabinetmaker Frederick Meyer in Berkeley, CCA originated during the Arts and Crafts movement. It moved to a permanent Oakland campus in 1922, expanded to San Francisco in the 1980s, and established a permanent SF campus in 1999 (with a major Studio Gang-designed expansion completed in 2024). CCA's philosophy blends theory and practice rooted in Arts and Crafts ideals, prioritizing interdisciplinarity, social/environmental responsibility, and ethical innovation. It offers 17 undergraduate and 10 graduate programs across art, architecture, design, writing, and humanities. Notable programs include the MBA in Design Strategy (first in the U.S.), BFA in Game Arts, MFA in Comics, and the Interdisciplinary BFA in Craft & Creative Technologies.