California Institute of the Arts
Located in Valencia, Los Angeles County, California
Background Information
Founded by Walt Elias DIsney in 1961. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States. CalArts was created specifically for students of both the visual and performing arts. CalArts provides a collaborative environment for a diversity of artists.
GPA, SAT scores, ACT scores
CalArts doesn't require a GPA. The Institute does not require SAT or ACT scores.
Activities and Leadership Roles
Activities in CalArts include When creating an animated film for a course, you become the leader; the one to control the project. This establishes leadership roles and/or qualities.
Application Fee and what you have to submit
You will have to submit an application, an audition, a portfolio, transcipts, have letters of recommendation, and an artist statement. $50 for each domestic application $65 for each international application Applications meeting the Regular Deadline $70 for each domestic application $85 for each international application.
Department/School
I plan to work in the School of Film/Video. The School is especially unique because it promotes the studies of all major types of filmmaking: dramatic narrative, documentary, experimental live-action, character-based animation, experimental animation, multimedia, and installation. Character Animation offers a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) degree only. Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs take either two or three years to complete, depending on the individual program. To receive the MFA degree, students must fulfill all program unit requirements and pass at least two faculty reviews of their work.
Tuition/Rank/Income and Possible Financial Aid
Tuition at CalArts is established annually by the Board of Trustees and is subject to change each year. Tuition is $39,976 for full-time enrollment. Tuition costs have historically increased each year, and this can be expected to continue, especially with sharp increases in California energy costs.
Hours of class to take/experience
Four months of study in certain classes(e.g. School of Film).
statistics on job placement
You would have to work very hard for a job as an animator at animation studios like Walt Disney Pictures/ Pixar. Studying at CalArts may provide an advantage for some, but for others getting a job in the film industry may be more challenging.
Quote from Steve Lavine(CalArts President)
"When you can't define yourself any longer from what you can buy, you suddenly have to look deeper for what life is about and I think that gives an opening for the arts and that it hasn't had before, an opening for it to matter again."