California Institute of the Arts | Cal Arts
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California Institute of the Arts | Cal Arts’s 2024-25 Essay Prompts
Program in Art Essay
An artist statement is very important in the admissions process and should answer the following three questions:
What are your artistic interests/goals?
What informs your art-making practice? (Ideas, research, ways of making, and so on.)
Why are you applying to your program at CalArts?
It is recommended that your statement be between 500 and 1000 words.
Program in Graphic Design Essay
In your statement, please write specifically about your interest and knowledge of graphic design. Describe your design projects, any design related experience(s) you have had and your future design goals. It is recommended that your statement be between 500 and 1000 words.
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Program in Photography and Media Essay
There is not a minimum or maximum word count requirement, but it is recommended that your statement be between 500 and 1000 words. An artist statement is very important in the admissions process and should answer the following three questions:
What are your artistic interests/goals?
What issues and concerns inform your art-making practice?
Why are you applying to your program at CalArts?
Program in Art and Technology Essay
The artist statement for the Art and Technology program must explain in detail the critical basis of your work in regards to the use of technology within a creative and cultural practice. The statement needs to outline the creative goals you would like to achieve while in the program, along with your interest in exploring art and technology within a cross-disciplinary context. It is recommended that your statement be between 500 and 1000 words.
Program in Dance Essay
An artist statement is a pivotal part of the application process. It provides faculty the opportunity to get to know your authentic and creative self. Be succinct, be real, and answer the following questions (one paragraph minimum per question):
What is most important to you as a person and as a dancer, and why?
What are your artistic and personal goals?
Why are you applying to the BFA in Dance Program at CalArts?
Program in Film and Video
The Artist Statement (500 - 1000 words) is very important in the admissions process and should answer the following three questions:
What issues and concerns inform your artmaking practice?
Why are you applying to your program at CalArts?
What are your artistic goals?
Answers may be uploaded to the written materials section of the CalArts Application.
Program in Film and Video Additional Written Matierals Essay
Submit the following written materials in your online application. Each of the following required materials should be about 1 to 2 pages (500 - 1000 words) and uploaded as individual pdf documents into the corresponding sections on the application.
List of Works Submitted
Include your role in the production, any applicable links to full length versions, and a brief one or two-sentence synopsis of each piece submitted in your portfolio. If you submit multiple pieces, be sure the order of the synopses and the work samples are the same.
Comments on Influences
Brief comments on films, books, plays, television shows, etc., that you feel have influenced your thoughts as a filmmaker/video artist. It is important to say why and how these works have influenced you. Avoid writing plot summaries. Include titles and creator names.
Future Project Plan
Regardless of the work you have done to date or the practical skills you have developed so far, outline an example of a project you have in mind. Describe the basic idea of the project--not the technical aspects of how you would arrange to have it made. Keep in mind that such a plan is meant to give the faculty an idea of the type of filmmaking that interests you, not an idea of a project you will necessarily produce at CalArts. Do not submit scripts or screenplays.
Résumé/CV
Short résumé/CV and/or list of special skills.
Optional Supplemental Creative Writing Sample
If you wish to submit creative writing such as a short story, essay, poems, or a piece of critical writing please limit the total length to a maximum of 1500 words. Do not submit scripts or screenplays.
Program in Experimental Animation Essay
An artist statement is very important in the admissions process and should answer the following three questions:
What issues and concerns inform your artmaking practice?
Why are you interested specifically in the program in Experimental
Animation at CalArts?
What are your artistic goals?
Answers may be uploaded to the written materials section of the CalArts Application.
Program in Experimental Animation Additional Written Materials Essay
Submit the following written materials in your online application. Each of the following required materials should be uploaded as individual documents into the corresponding sections on the application.
Synopsis: One- or two-sentence synopsis of each work submitted.
A one-paragraph autobiography indicating significant artistic, professional, and academic achievements, or other life experiences that would help the committee evaluate your application.
Comments on films, books, art, etc., that you feel have influenced your thoughts and work as an artist. It is important to say why and how these works have influenced you. Avoid writing plot summaries.
Project plans. Keep in mind that such a plan is meant to give faculty an idea of the type of filmmaking that interests you, not an idea of a project you will necessarily produce at CalArts.
Program in Character Animation Essay
Please answer the following questions:
What inspires you to make your art?
Why are you applying to the Character Animation program at CalArts?
What are your artistic goals?
Answers may be uploaded to the written materials section of the CalArts Application.
Program in Music Essay
Your portfolio must include an artist statement of 250–500 words that includes all of the following:
Your background in the study of music.
Your main musical passions right now.
What you hope to learn and accomplish at CalArts.
What attracts you to the particular specialization to which you are applying.
Your long-term goals as a professional musician.
Program in Acting Essay
A written artist statement is very important in the admissions process and should address the following questions:
What informs your artmaking practice?
Why are you applying to the Acting program at CalArts?
What are your artistic goals?
What stories are you most interested in telling, and/or what communities do you hope to reach through your work?
What do you find artistically inspiring about the current moment in history?
Program in Experience Design and Production
Your artist’s statement should discuss your goals and their relationship to your past experience, as well as evidence of your interest in performance-based design whether in theater, film, installation, writing or other related forms.
