Extreme dysfunction / CEO to blame - Upper Management Role Idyllwild Arts Employee Review

1.0
Aug 30, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Gorgeous mountain campus. We had a nice community prior to 2014. Interesting institutional history.

Cons

Historically plagued by a reliance on often ill suited, full pay students and an aging facility. 2014, board hires a new CEO out of desperation, their first choice backed out. Then began the downward spiral. Current CEO is all spin and hype while actively undermining all employees, manipulating the clueless and aloof board, hiring a mostly useless senior team she can manipulate, and leading school into further financial woe. Most smart people have left, turnover is extreme. Board is afraid - or too clueless - to make needed changes. Extremely sad. Bankruptcy seems on the horizon. If you speak up, they fire you or demote you, so people are afraid to say the truth .

Explore other reviews about Idyllwild Arts

5.0
Jul 25, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I worked here for the summer and would absolutely come back. I know a lot of the staff is different summer vs year-round, but everyone was amazing, 3 meals a day was great, dorm was fine, and the campus is beautiful. The pay was decent in my opinion. The dress code is not as strict as it sounds in the handbook also which is nice. Love the chill energy and atmosphere from everyone here. I also like how much safety they have around campus with the nurses, security, emergency response team, and the app with alerts.

Cons

- The vegan food would be absolutely amazing some days, very limited other days, and occasionally labeled with incorrect allergens. Be cautious and friendly and you will be fine, and really get treated with great meals every few days. - The dorm I stayed in shared thin doors with others and could hear every word, also ants all over mine which got annoying. - It is a twisty long road to get off the mountain, but there is plenty to do in the actual town of idyllwild, so its only bad if you want to go anywhere else and make the drive. - Like zero outdoor water fountains? Everything was indoors which can be locked up at times.

4.0
May 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Helpful staff who genuinely want to help

Cons

Not the best facilities or organization to find resources

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