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California Institute of the Arts

AI Guidelines for Admissions

Application Process

As stated in the CalArts institutional AI principles, we maintain that “human creativity and artistic vision remain essential and central to our practice.” 

While AI tools are becoming increasingly present in creative industries, it is the human artist who brings critical thinking, emotional depth, conceptual rigor, and innovative vision to their work.

Your application materials—which may include essays, statements, auditions, and portfolios—are where we discover your unique voice, creative process, and artistic potential. We seek to understand not just what you create, but how and why you create it.

Core principles

for AI use in the CalArts application process

1. Authenticity is paramount

Your application must genuinely reflect your own abilities, experiences, and creative vision. AI should never replace your unique perspective or artistic voice.

2. Process matters as much as product

In creative fields, how you arrive at your work is as important as the result. We value your creative journey, experimentation, and critical decision-making.

3. Transparency builds trust

Honest disclosure of AI use allows us to fairly assess your work and understand your creative process.

Disclosure requirements

 If you use AI in writing beyond basic grammar/spelling checks, you must disclose:

  • Which AI tools you used
  • How you used them in your process
  • Why the final work represents your authentic voice and vision

If you use AI in your creative process beyond basic technical assistance, you must:

  • Clearly indicate which pieces involved AI and how
  • Describe your creative process and decision-making
  • Explain how the work remains fundamentally your own vision
  • Include process documentation (sketches, iterations, development stages) when relevant

Include your AI disclosure at the end of essays/statements, in your portfolio upload descriptions, and with any additional submitted materials.

Remember

We’re interested in YOU—your creativity, your struggles, your growth, your unique perspective. AI cannot replicate the authentic human experience, emotional depth, and creative spark that we seek in our community. Your imperfections, experiments, and genuine voice are what make your application compelling.

We trust applicants to approach their applications with integrity. Evidence of extensive use of AI found in your submission materials may lead to additional review and re-evaluation of your application.

Questions?

These guidelines will evolve as AI technology develops. If you’re unsure whether your AI use aligns with our expectations, please reach out to us at admissions@calarts.edu.

Last updated: August 25, 2025