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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 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!

  • CalArts Disability Support
  • MiniNature Reserve Student Nursery
  • CalArts Collage Association
  • Spoken Word Club
  • ENC (Every Nation Campus)
  • TSA (Taiwanese Student Association)
  • QAC (Queer Arts Collective)
  • Heart
  • UKAL (United Korean American Leaders)
  • Nature Club
  • ASS (Aging Student Society)
  • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club
  • Ukulele Club
  • Mi Gente
  • Black Arts Collective
  • ASA (Asian Students Alliance)
  • JAM (Jewish Artists Movement)
  • TEA@CalArts (Themed Entertainment Association)
  • Clay Club
  • Filipino Media Club

Funding requests

Funding request form 

Funding approval process

  • Once you submit a funding request form, Student Experience staff forwards it to the treasurer and the Student Organization Committee members. They will add it to the Student Union meeting agenda for voting.
  • Treasurer emails and invites the student organization to advocate for their funding request. Attendance is not mandatory, but highly encouraged to answer any questions.
  • The Student Union votes on the request after reviewing the form.
  • Treasurer informs the student organization of the amount for which they were approved.
  • Purchases will be made by the Student Union staff advisor or a Student Experience staff member.  
  • Student organizations may not exceed $1,000 per academic year. 
    • If a student organization reaches or exceeds their limit, they must meet with the Student Organization Committee to discuss the impact of their events/spending on the CalArts community at large and the engagement of their members.
    • For larger Institute-wide events, cultural -dentity groups are encouraged to partner with Campus Life’s inclusion and multicultural coordinator.

Student Union considerations for funding requests:

  • What category is the request in? (social, pre-professional, etc.)
  • What is its engagement/impact level? 
  • How many members is it actively serving? 
  • How long has it been on campus?

Student organization registration

Registration form

In order to be eligible to request funding through the Student Union, all student organizations must submit an application to be registered under the Student Union, attend the Student Organization Fair, and meet with the assistant director of Campus Life.

Organization standards for all student groups at CalArts include: 

  • Membership must be open to all CalArts students.
  • All club and organization members must be currently enrolled at CalArts.
  • To remain in good standing, all student organizations must re-register annually during the academic school year.
  • The student organization is responsible for ensuring that all events sponsored by student organizations abide by CalArts policies (as stated in the Student Handbook), as well as federal, state, and local laws.
  • Students shall not discriminate in practice against any person by reason of race, color, age, ethnic background, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
  • Student organizations or any members thereof shall not conspire to engage in hazing or commit any act that injures, degrades, or disgraces; or tends to injure, degrade, or disgrace any fellow student or person attending CalArts.

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.