Last summer, the storied Cartoon Network Studios Burbank building closed its doors with all operations being transferred to Warner Bros. Animation and thus moving to the new Warner Bros. Second Century building.
Though the physical space may be gone, the memories will live on forever. In fact, the company announced today the launch of a dedicated website that will serve as the virtual home for its iconic Artist Stairwell space.
Read the official press release below for details:
Welcome to the stairwell that tells the story of a studio…one step and sketch at a time. Cartoon Network Studios (CNS) today announced the launch of a dedicated website that will serve as the virtual home for its iconic Artist Stairwell space.
From 2000 to 2023, the CNS building in Downtown Burbank stood as a vibrant symbol of creativity and a nurturing ground for original animation and artists of diverse talents and backgrounds. It was not merely a workplace, but a canvas for imagination and innovation.
Among the many areas of the building that symbolized this spirit was the, now iconic, CNS Artist Stairwell. This space was a living testament to the studio’s collective creativity, where anyone from artists to accountants and everyone in between, left their unique mark on the walls in the form of drawings, doodles, and sketches.
In an effort led by CNS executive producer Calvin Wong (We Baby Bears), every inch of the stairwell was meticulously scanned and photographed, resulting in the creation of an interactive website (CNStudiosStairwell.com) which presents a ‘flythrough’ 3D tour of the space, allowing animation fans to explore every piece of art. CNS artists, past and present, who contributed to the stairwell will also be able to contribute to the site by submitting annotations to their work via a special link on the page.
“Cartoon Network Studios will always be a home for creators,” said Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe. “As we continue to further that legacy in our new buildings, it’s a joy to pay tribute to this beloved space for the animation community to enjoy and continue to be inspired.”
Established in 2000, Cartoon Network Studios (CNS) is a global animation and interactive studio recognized for its innovative approaches to IP development and world-building. Fostering a creator-driven environment, CNS is home to hundreds of visual artists who have been a part of the studio’s many critically acclaimed and groundbreaking animated series including Adventure Time, Craig of the Creek, Steven Universe, Regular Show, The Powerpuff Girls, and We Bare Bears. CNS has also produced notable Adult Swim hits such as Genndy Tartakovky’s Primal, Samurai Jack, and Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law.
CNS has been honored with multiple awards and accolades, including Emmy®, Peabody, GLAAD and Annie Awards. Internationally, the studio also garnered the BAFTA Children’s Award, Italy’s prestigious Pulcinella Award and Annecy Festival’s Cristal Award.
