MA Aesthetics and Politics: Admission Requirements

Create an account to begin the application process. This is where you’ll complete each step in the application and receive updates on your application status. Add your personal background and academic history.

A portfolio of current work representing your best critical writing is required of all applicants to the MA Aesthetics and Politics Program. This portfolio must contain a writing sample with a theoretical or political focus up to 20 pages in length. (You may also submit several pieces within those 20 pages.) 

All applicants must upload the writing sample(s) into the “Written Materials” section of the CalArts application. Additionally, any supplemental media integral to your writing practice should be submitted in the Portfolio/Audition Submission “Upload Media” section.

If you experience technical difficulties while uploading your portfolio, please email admissions@calarts.edu.

• Please include a statement of purpose addressing your academic and/or artistic interests, the ways in which these interests relate to aesthetic or political concerns, and your goals in applying to the program.
• Upload the statement of purpose into the “Written Materials” section of the online application.

Two letters of recommendation are required. At least one recommendation should be written by a person who understands your work, such as an art teacher.

All letters of recommendation should be received by the application deadline, so it’s important that you contact your recommenders months before. We request that you submit the requests for your letters of recommendation through the online application, as it will allow you to track when we receive your requested letters.

If this is not possible, you may download the Letter of Recommendation Form (pdf) and have your recommender send their letters by mail to the Office of Admissions. Please choose only one method - either through the online application (preferred) or by mail - per recommender. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted via credentialing services such as Parchment or Naviance.

Mailed letters of recommendation should be sent to:

CalArts Office of Admissions
24700 McBean Pkwy.
Valencia, CA 91355
United States of America

All letters of recommendation must be written in English or accompanied by a certified English translated document.