California College of the Arts was founded in 1907 by Frederick Meyer to provide an education for artists and designers that would integrate both theory and practice in the arts. Meyer’s vision continues to the present day. President Stephen Beal says, “CCA’s history is tied to the Arts and Crafts movement, a time when artists and designers were producing work that would address the social issues of the time and have a positive impact on the world. This spirit is still very much a part of the college today.”

What makes your school’s art & design programs different & unique from other art & design school programs?

California College of the Arts (CCA) is distinguished by the depth and breadth of its programs. The college offers 22 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs in the areas of fine arts, architecture, design, and writing. 

The education at CCA is highly influenced by its location. The San Francisco Bay Area is defined by entrepreneurship, sustainability, and social activism as well as design and technology. Innovation and creativity permeate all aspects of daily life. CCA is located in the hub of the Bay Area’s “innovation corridor,” where Silicon Valley drives the need for design and technology solutions to real-world problems. 

CCA is also a community of artists who believe creative work can positively and powerfully affect society. Our motto is make art that matters. We push boundaries by creating bold and innovative solutions that bridge design and technology. We reach outside our community to engage in learning practices from around the globe, sharing how we create. CCA’s large international student population (28%) makes it a global leader in arts education. 

What are the top 3 program features that make your program stand out?

1. Small classes: average class size is 13

2. The student/faculty ratio is 8:1. This means that students get a lot of individual attention and can easily find mentors.

3. Professional faculty: 88 percent are practicing professionals who are leaders in their fields

Can students take courses in other schools or majors?

Students are encouraged to explore interdisciplinary opportunities and can take courses in other programs. For example, Fashion Design students often take courses offered in Textiles and many Graphic Design students have enjoyed Printmaking classes.

What steps do you take to evaluate a student’s candidacy, apart from reviewing their creative portfolio?

Application, Personal essay / writing sample, Transcripts, Letter of recommendation, Portfolio, English language proficiency (International applicants only)

What does your program look for most in the creative portfolio during admissions? What do you think makes an a+ portfolio?

The portfolio should include a focused series of images that shows the student’s current interests as well as additional work that reveals an awareness of formal visual organizational principles and experience with a variety of tools, media, styles, and approaches.

We prefer the majority of drawings submitted in the portfolio be derived from direct observation, rather than other sources (such as photographs). Still life, landscape, figure drawings, portrait, perspective, and diagrammatic drawings are all recommended.

Further 2D, 3D, or 4D work may be abstract or representational and may range from design projects to fine art pieces or installation documentation. Strong portfolios typically include work that demonstrates solid technical skills and reflects thoughts and concepts. Consider including work that speaks to your personal experiences, your culture, and so on.

We encourage students to get outside opinions of their artwork prior to applying. Teachers, other artists, mentors, and college representatives can offer this type of informal review. We also recommend practicing discussing your work. Students shouldn’t be afraid to talk about their work and what it means to them.

How are new technologies affecting students’ curriculums and/or ways of learning/collaborating at your school?

Located close to Silicon Valley, CCA benefits from close relationships with leading tech and innovation firms. Many of these firms sponsor studios and support the school in other ways, such as providing expertise in the classrooms and studios, attending critiques, and providing the latest software.  

How does your program help graduating students with internships or jobs? Can students expect job placement more at your program than in others? If so, how or why? What kinds of job opportunities have you seen students take once they completed their degrees?

CCA is committed to helping our students transition to professional life. Every year there are more than 600 internships offered. More than 200 employers visit the campus every year looking for talent. And 76% of our graduates have found a full-time job within 6 months of graduation.

The Career Development Office offers a number of programs and events, including the Career Expo, one-on-one coaching, portfolio & résumé preparation labs, career workshops, a dedicated job board, and networking opportunities. 

Job opportunities run the gamut. The accomplishments of our alumni are varied and far-reaching. CCA graduates have designed graphics for MTV and VH1, created characters for animated films by Pixar, illustrated editorials for major national publications, created Emmy-award-winning motion graphics, and produced Oscar-winning documentaries. They have shown their work at the Cannes and Sundance film festivals and at museums around the world. They have started their own companies and worked for corporations, community organizations, and nonprofit organizations. CCA alumni have created products and services that have changed people’s lives. 

Are there any exciting developments for your programs that students should know about?

The college is undergoing a major campus planning effort. In the next five years many new facilities will be built on the San Francisco campus, including affordable student housing, new studios and collaborative facilities for making, green space, and space for community events and recreation. 

What is the best advice you have for students entering the art & design field? And what do you think is the role of the artist today?

Advice for students: By pursuing an arts education you will gain the power to transform the world. By connecting the arts to today’s most pressing social, economic, and political issues, creative people can find solutions to previously unsolvable problems — and invent breakthroughs. To fully realize your own creative ambitions, you should consider not only what you study, but also where you study. The San Francisco Bay Area is a world-famous center of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. You will be constantly energized by your surroundings to push the boundaries of your own creativity. 

The role of the artist, or creative person, is becoming more important in society. There is a growing demand for creative people across a broad range of industries. Employers that have traditionally looked solely to graduates of large research universities are now seeking artists and designers who bring to the table an entrepreneurial spirit, unique problem-solving skills, and a hacker/DIY mentality. 

Interviewed by Chris Bliss VP for Communications 

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Online CCA App or Common App 

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

10-20 pieces Slideroom 

WRITING SAMPLE

Personal Essay

TRANSCRIPTS

Required

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

1 Teacher or Counselor 

INTERVIEW

Not required

APPLICATIONS DEADLINES

Rolling Admissions 
Early Decision: Feb 1 
Regular Decision: Mar 1

FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

TOEFL:
550 on the PBT or 80 on the iBT.
IELTS: minimum 6.5
PTE Academic: 58 or greater.

TIPS:

Your portfolio should include a focused series of images that shows your current interests, and additional work that reveals an awareness of formal visual organizational principles and experience with a variety of tools, media, styles, and approaches.

We prefer that the majority of drawings submitted in the portfolio be derived from direct observation rather than other sources (such as photographs). Still life, landscape, figure drawings, portrait, perspective, and diagrammatic drawings are all recommended. Further two-, three-, or four-dimensional work may be abstract or representational and may range from design projects to fine art pieces or installation documentation.

ALUMNI

Nathan Oliveira, Painter
Raymond Saunders, Painter
Robert Arneson, Ceramicists
Viola Frey, Ceramicists
Peter Voulkos, Ceramicists
Wayne Wang, Filmmaker
David Ireland, Conceptual artists
Dennis Oppenheim, Conceptual artists
Lucille Tenazas, Designer
Michael Vanderbyl, Designer

ADMISSIONS OFFICE

Enrollment Services Office
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco CA 94107
+1 (510)-594-3600