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California Institute of the Arts

Student Organizations

Student Union

Clubs and organizations

CalArts has many student-run clubs and organizations to bring students together around common identities, interests and affinities. Contact the Student Union to find out more about any of our clubs and organizations. Not finding a club that interests you? Contact the Office of Campus Life to learn how to start a new one!

Affinity groups

An affinity group is centered around a shared personal characteristic or experience. These groups provide a supportive community for students to explore, celebrate, and advocate for their identities or interests, often fostering a sense of belonging and promoting cultural understanding. The groups are open to anyone with an interest in the group and in learning about that community.

Interest groups

  • CalArts Soccer Club
    Looking to have fun, meet new people, and get active? Come play soccer with us! Whether you’re a complete beginner or just want to kick the ball around, everyone is welcome, beginners and experienced players alike! No pressure, just good vibes and a chance to enjoy the game. We play on Sundays at 3pm at the soccer field. Bring your friends, your energy, and your love for fun! Sign up today or just show up! We can’t wait to see you there!
  • Crochet Club
    Come be part of our Crochet Club and help create a creative community on campus! Whether you’re an experienced fiber artist seeking inspiration or a beginner eager to learn, we offer a space to craft, collaborate, have fun, and grow together.
  • Open Drawing
    Open Drawing is a weekly, social space for drawing, hosted every Wednesday evening in JBSB. Open to all students, it provides free art materials, tea, and snacks. Beyond just drawing, we also host occasional community events like movie nights and holiday drawing exchanges. Join us to relax, create, and connect with fellow students in a fun and casual environment!
  • Party Dance Club
    CalArts Party Dance Club lets you move freely with simple steps inspired by ‘70s party and club styles. It’s a space for both the body and mind to be free. Join our weekly dance sessions covering Locking, Waacking, Popping, Soul, and more, featuring the latest global music trends!
  • Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)
    Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) CalArts is a cultural, creative, and educational group rooted in arts activism to raise awareness about and build solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for justice, human rights, land rights, liberation, and self-determination. While led by students of Arab and Jewish diasporas, SJP CalArts is an inclusive and care-centered club that invites folks across all lineages, cultures, and religions to study and create art engaging with histories (and dreams) of liberation.
  • Soup Group
    The soup group is a club dedicated to the cultivation of skills in hand developing celluloid film. It seeks to build a community of alchemists who support each other’s creative endeavors. We’ll have workshops that feature different color and b&w processes all in an attempt to support each other and the production of our films. Membership is open to all students who are trained and have access to the darkroom. For those interested, we can provide training.
  • Stripmall Magazine
    Strip Mall Magazine is a literary publication created by MFA Creative Writing students at CalArts. We’re looking to expand beyond the Critical Studies program and invite students from all departments to join our staff and submit their work for publication. We’d love to see fresh voices and diverse perspectives in our magazine!
  • The XP Lab
    The XP Lab is a TEA-affiliated, multidisciplinary cohort of collaborative artists with a long tradition of pushing the boundaries of themed entertainment at CalArts. XP Lab isn’t just any club. We’re the premier themed entertainment club on campus, bridging the gap between art and technology to create immersive experiences that truly stand out. Whether you’re into theme parks, immersive theater, video game design, or interactive installations, XP Lab is the place to collaborate, learn, and grow together.
  • Ukulele Club
    We are a music club that would be perfect for you if you love music, connecting with people who have similar interests, and think that the ukulele is cool! All levels welcome... even beginners!
  • Zine Zoo
    As part of the Zine Club, we use zine-making to ignite creativity, inspire fresh ideas, and strengthen our community. Through collaboration, accountability, and hands-on creation, we craft unique zines that reflect our collective voices and visions. Join us to explore, create, and connect!

Equipment

Inventory system coming soon! In the meantime, students can check out items at Mom’s, located in Chouinard Hall. You must provide a student ID to check out items.