CalArts offers a variety of unique programs at the undergraduate and graduate level within its six world-renowned Schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater.
Undergraduate core courses are the foundation of BFA studies at CalArts, providing a strong general education and opportunities to deepen every student's artistic practice.
Explore is your first stop if you are considering applying to CalArts. Here you can find information about your program(s) of interest, events the Institute is hosting or attending, a virtual campus map, and much more. Your journey to CalArts starts here.
CalArts is located in Santa Clarita, Calif., 30 miles north of Los Angeles. Explore the local area and community.
Offering innovative continuing education arts courses designed to meet the needs of both emerging artists and lifelong learners.
Congratulations once again on becoming an honorary CalArtian! We want you and your family to be an integral part of our community of transformative education and arts. If you still have general questions about CalArts and how to be more involved, please use this FAQ page as a resource.
There’s a lot your student needs to do before they arrive on campus, and we know this transition can feel overwhelming for students and their families. There are many ways you can support your student and help them transition to life as a CalArtian. Remind them to check their email and their student account frequently and refer to the welcome page for more information on upcoming events, next steps, and life at CalArts.
We also recommend reading our Parents and Families Book Club's book, The Stressed Years of Their Lives: Helping Your Kid Survive and Thrive During Their College Years.
Your student will need to decide whether or not to allow anyone, including their parents or guardians, access to their CalArts account. If they chose to do so, students can designate one or more individuals as a proxy—an authorized party to have access to FERPA. This protected information can include financial aid, student accounts and registration information. Students MUST set up proxy access by logging into their CalArts accounts..
For more information regarding FERPA access, please visit our page here.
Students who have accepted their offer of admission and submitted their enrollment deposit will then be able to create their CalArts account. Through their account, students can access their tuition statement, pay their balances, and complete registration tasks. Please visit our Payment and Student Accounts page for more information.
Your student can choose to either live on or off-campus during their CalArts experience. If your student would like to live on-campus for the 2023-2024 academic school year, they need to submit their housing application before May 5.
You can find our housing options and policies on our Residential Life page.
CalArts' 60-acre, residential campus is in the Valencia neighborhood in the suburban city of Santa Clarita. The campus is north of Los Angeles, adjacent to Interstate Highway 5 on McBean Parkway—approximately 40 miles from Los Angeles International Airport; 21 miles from the Burbank Airport and only a half-hour north of downtown Los Angeles.
Before traveling to campus, you and your family might want to consider:
There are a few ways you can connect with other parents and families as well as learn more about CalArts. They include:
Home • Welcome • Parents & Families