Accordion
We’re looking for bold, curious, interdisciplinary artists who think beyond categories and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Your application should help us understand not just what you’ve done—but what you dream of doing. Before starting your application, please make sure to familiarize yourself with the Creative Computing program, faculty, and curriculum.
You cannot make any changes to your application after it has been submitted.
Due to its specialized and highly selective nature, students interested in Creative Computing should read the program’s description and qualifications carefully before applying. Program and curriculum questions can be directed to program director Ajay Kapur.
Students in the Creative Computing program have the opportunity to tailor their studies by choosing one of five distinct specializations:
Music Technology: Explore the relationship between sound and technology, from algorithmic compositional practice for experimental sound to the development of new musical digital instruments.
Spatial Computing: Learn to design and create interactive experiences that engage audiences through motion, touch, and other sensory interactions, working with robotics as well as AR/VR.
Game Design: Dive into the art and science of game development, focusing on mechanics, narrative, and player experience.
Coding for Design: Master the tools and techniques of being a full stack developer to create compelling visual work for various platforms, including mobile and web. .
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.
You’re invited to submit a portfolio containing ONLY three examples of your digital creative work via the portfolio section of the CalArts application. These can include—but aren’t limited to—projects in music, film, games, interactive art, design, performance, robotics, or experimental media. We’re interested in work that shows your creativity, curiosity, and ability to think across disciplines.
Important: Submit no more than 3 pieces. Submitting more than 3 will hurt your application, not help it. Show us why you’re different. Surprise us.
You may link to media hosted on external websites, but please ensure that reviewers have permission to view this media. If you experience technical difficulties while uploading your portfolio, please email admissions@calarts.edu.
We understand that creative computation can take many forms. If you have experience coding, you are welcome—but not required—to include examples of your coding experience. Submitting code is entirely optional, but it can give us insight into how you think creatively and technically, and how you approach problem-solving through computation.
You may submit code in any form that best represents your work and thinking. This could include (but is not limited to):
Please include a brief explanation with each code sample to describe your goals, process, and any frameworks, tools, or platforms you used.
If you are submitting interactive or compiled work, be sure to provide working links, installation instructions, and/or access credentials, as needed. If your code is part of a larger collaborative project, clearly outline your individual contributions.
We do not expect polished or professional work—we are more interested in your curiosity, experimentation, and creative thinking through code. If you are just beginning to code, you are still encouraged to share what you have tried.
Upload your materials directly in the portfolio section of the CalArts application, or link to external repositories with appropriate access permissions.
Your portfolio must include an artist statement (250 to 500 words) of your future idea. Describe—or draw—something you want to invent while at CalArts. It doesn’t matter if you don’t yet have the skills to build it. We want to see your imagination. Your idea can relate to one or more of our specializations:
We want to see how you dream, think, and imagine the future.
The faculty want to learn more about you, directly from you! We ask that you record a 60–90 second short video of you introducing yourself. You should discuss:
No fancy production needed—just be yourself.
In your video introduction, you should:
The Creative Computing program does not require in-person interviews. Instead, if needed by our faculty, we will contact you about scheduling a virtual interview.
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.