Karen Hofmann

Karen Hofmann is the sixth president of ArtCenter College of Design, an international leader of art and design education.

After an extensive international search, ArtCenter’s Board of Trustees named educator and industrial designer Karen Hofmann as the College’s president and chief executive officer. When Hofmann assumed the ArtCenter presidency on July 1, 2022, she captured several culturally significant milestones as the first woman, alumna and Provost to hold the position.

Hofmann had previously served as ArtCenter Provost since July 2018. Some of her most significant accomplishments include creating a more cohesive and inclusive Chairs Council, leading a process to envision the "Future of Education 2030" and contributing to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan, expanding ArtCenter Exhibitions, focusing ArtCenter Online initiatives, and paving the way for an omnichannel approach to education. Most notably, Hofmann has helped lead the College through a pandemic, pivoting to a remote teaching and learning environment, and ensuring a safe return to campus.

Hofmann graduated from ArtCenter in 1997 with a bachelor of science degree in product design and earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from California State University, Northridge in 1990. She currently serves on the advisory board of the MADWORKSHOP Foundation, supporting artists and designers who will make radical, sustainable and lasting contributions to the design discourse and society at large. She serves as a board member of Full Circle which provides scholarships and funding for programs to support ArtCenter students during their educational journey.