California Institute of the Arts Top Questions

California Institute of the Arts is an all arts college. It offers instruction in Critical Studies, Art, Music, Film/Video and Theater. My passion is dance. I have been dancing for at least ten years in a San Francisco dance school. The Calarts dance program is amazing because I will have the opportunity to work with faculty members who are choreographers. I will be able to develop and further explore all types of dance and strengthen my skills for at least 10 hours per week. I will also perform in front of audiences and learn the backstage technical aspects.

In my humble opinion, CalArts creates to most effective environment for an artist to thoroughly explore his or her craft, while gaining a balanced general education designed specifically to fit the artist's creative needs.

The student is really in charge of their driection at this school and the facutly are in place to help you reach your desired goals. There are no two students doing exactly the same thing, and this school caters to that.

They never say turn down an idea without seriously considering the artistic standpoints of it. and how liberal and wonderful this school is.

I can only really speak for the music program, since that's what I have experience with. What I liked most about it was that they taught me to be a musician; to think about what music is, what it's purpose it, the philosophy behind it, and what exactly I can and should do as a musician. They didn't just teach technique, they taught music. and creativity.

Calarts is a place where you can express yourself. It puts absolute control in your hands and you can make it the place that you want. But there is some red tape and be prepared to fight for what you want in some departments. But for the most part, you are in control.

I did not consider any other school. I only applied to Cal Arts because I knew it would be perfect for me.