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California Institute of the Arts

CalArts at The Reef

Beyond Campus

Reef gallery during an opening, showing students mingling on one side in dim light, and around the corner a student sits to work in bright light.

CalArts at The Reef is a new extension of the Institute, giving CalArts students and recent graduates a dedicated presence in downtown Los Angeles. 

Recognizing the challenges that often face emerging artists, The Reef provides CalArtians an opportunity to establish themselves within Los Angeles’s vibrant art scene. It offers space for exhibitions, symposia, events, and readings as well as proximity to other designers and cultural organizations, giving the CalArts community a wider context in which to share their work and build professional community.

Applications Now Open

The Reef Residency Fall 2026

The CalArts at The Reef Residency is now accepting applications from recent CalArts graduates for our upcoming term. This is a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between graduation and professional practice within a vibrant community in Downtown Los Angeles.

The Reef News

Upcoming Events

  • The Reef

    Join us at CalArts at The Reef for an evening of exhibitions + performances by…

    Sat, May 16 / 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

    The Reef

The space and its origin

Housed within The Reef, an 860,000 square-foot building and creative hub at the corner of Broadway and Washington, CalArts’ presence significantly expands its footprint in LA proper. The development of this space, 20,000 sq feet on the 12th floor, was made possible through the generous support of an anonymous individual donor. This strategic location, close to the Grand/LATTC Metro station and other cultural institutions, secures a dedicated urban base that channels the energy and innovative vision of CalArts directly into the city center.

The vibrant Reef building in downtown Los Angeles offers:

  • Dedicated Studios: Shared studio space for focused work.
  • Performance and Gallery Space: Opportunity to exhibit work on-site, and a dedicated area for rehearsals, performances, and presentations.
  • Additional facilities: Including a screening room, dressing rooms, kitchen, and other project space.
  • Prime Location: Located in downtown Los Angeles, close to cultural organizations and public transit (Grand/LATTC Metro station).

Check out a map of The Reef twelfth floor

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