Day 1: On-campus together
Friday, October 17
| Time | Event | About |
|---|---|---|
| 12 - 1 pm | Lunch at Steve’s Cafe | Grab a bite at the campus’s culinary hub and get a true taste of student life! Lunch is hosted by CalArts and will be offered in Steve’s Café. It’s the perfect, casual setting to connect with your student, meet other families, and refuel before an afternoon of artistic exploration. Enjoy the buzz and see where the CalArts community comes together. |
| 1 - 1:30 pm | Community Welcome | Join CalArts President Ravi Rajan and Vice President for Student Affairs Anthony Garrison-Engbrecht for a warm community welcome. This gathering is an opportunity to connect, meet fellow families, and kick off the afternoon’s events. |
| 2 - 3 pm | Campus tour | Go behind the scenes! Explore the legendary, unique setting that is CalArts—from performance halls to woodworking shops—where creativity thrives. Our student guides will share personal anecdotes and give you an intimate look at the inspiring environment where your artist works and lives. Campus tours will depart from the Main Lobby near the reception desk. |
| 2 - 4 pm | Open classes and studios | Witness creativity in action in select open classes and studios. This is your unique chance to peek into diverse classes, observe student critiques, and see the artistic process unfold live in the studios. Experience the intensity and dedication that makes a CalArts education so transformative and exciting. See open classes and studios below. |
| 4 - 5 pm | SpongeBob SquarePants Panel | In anticipation of the December release of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants and in remembrance of Stephen Hillenburg, CalArts alumnus and creator of SpongeBob, CalArts is thrilled to host a special event for Family Weekend 2025. Panel discussion with Stephen Chiodo and Yaloo Lim, current members of CalArts’ Experimental Animation faculty; industry experts C.H. Greenblatt and William Reiss—both part of the SpongeBob family—and CalArts Trustee Ramsey Naito, president of Nickelodeon Animation and Paramount Animation. Edie Harper, a current BFA4 student in Experimental Animation, will moderate. |
| 4 - 5 pm | SpongeBob SquarePants Celebration | It’s a party! Interact with SpongeBob himself while enjoying SpongeBob-themed music, fun giveaways, and Stephen’s favorite meal—fried chicken and wine. |