Why CalArts?

Artistry meets authenticity

At CalArts, learning doesn’t stop once you step out of the classroom. 

Conceived by Walt Disney as a community of artists under one shared roof, the Institute has cemented its reputation as a creative hub delivering an arts education unlike any other. In addition to world-class technical instruction, we empower artists to journey into their creative depths and emerge with an honest and distinctive voice.

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Our legendary campus

Situated on a suburban campus in Valencia, California, the Institute’s main building is a sprawling five-level, 500,000-square-foot structure dedicated to experimentation and collaboration. With multiple theaters, galleries, labs, and dozens of studios, stages, and classrooms, you’ll find the space to chart a course for your artistic journey.

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Faculty mentorship

Mentorship is a cornerstone of CalArts’ pedagogy. As a student, you’ll have a dedicated faculty mentor with whom you will work closely throughout your academic and creative journey. Faculty mentors are all artists working and teaching in the same field as their mentees, offering invaluable connections and firsthand industry knowledge. 

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Our global community

CalArts thrives on the diversity of its artistic community, which encompasses a vast range of forms, styles, and a broad spectrum of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and perspectives. With international students making up a third of the student body, global artistic exchange is part and parcel of the CalArts experience.

See CalArts by the numbers

World-class status

Our knack for unleashing creative potential sets us apart from other schools and conservatories, and the numerous artistic luminaries among our alumni are a testament to the Institute’s enduring legacy.

See the most recent Institute rankings on our news site 24700

See how CalArtians are making waves on 24700

Our strong alumni network

Once a CalArtian, always a CalArtian. The ties between our alums are strong, with a multigenerational alumni network serving as an invaluable resource in post-graduate life.

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CalArts beyond campus

Beyond campus, the Institute also encompasses the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT), an interdisciplinary contemporary arts center located within the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex, the Community Arts Partnership (CAP), a youth arts education program run in partnership with community organizations and public schools throughout LA County, and CalArts at The Reef, a residency program in Los Angeles giving recent graduates a bridge to build professional community.

Proximity to the Los Angeles arts scene 

Los Angeles is just at our doorstep, granting students entry to a massive, thriving arts scene with museums, galleries, and performance spaces. Students can establish professional connections, whether by attending exhibitions in LA, meeting with industry professionals, or participating in collaborative projects.

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