The École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris (often called the École des Beaux-Arts) and the California Institute of the Arts represent two of the most historically significant fine art traditions in the world — one rooted in the centuries-old French academic tradition, the other born from Walt Disney’s vision of a total arts institution in 1960s California. For Korean students interested in fine art at the most serious level, understanding these two schools means understanding something fundamental about the difference between European and American art education.
At a Glance: École des Beaux-Arts vs CalArts
| Category | École des Beaux-Arts (ENSBA) | CalArts |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Paris, France | Valencia, California |
| Founded | 1648 | 1961 |
| Tuition (international) | ~€400–€700/year (public institution) | ~$52,850/year |
| Language | French (primarily) | English |
| Program Duration (UG equivalent) | 5 years (DNSEp diploma) | 4 years (BFA) |
| Instruction Language | French | English |
| Famous Alumni | Rodin, Matisse, Degas (historically) | Tim Burton, John Lasseter (contemporary) |
| Admission | Portfolio + entrance exam | Portfolio |
| For International Students | Very limited English instruction | Fully English |
École des Beaux-Arts: The French Academic Tradition and Contemporary Practice
The École des Beaux-Arts in Paris is one of the oldest and most historically significant fine art institutions in the world. Founded in 1648, it trained generations of French and international artists who defined Western art history — Rodin, Matisse, Degas, and many others passed through or were influenced by the Beaux-Arts tradition.
What ENSBA offers today: Today, the École des Beaux-Arts is not a museum of tradition — it has evolved significantly toward contemporary practice. Students work in ateliers led by practicing artists, and the curriculum combines historical rigor with contemporary art engagement. The school is deeply integrated into the Parisian art world, which remains one of the most significant in the world.
The critical limitation for Korean students: The École des Beaux-Arts teaches almost entirely in French. Korean students who do not have strong French language proficiency face a significant barrier. There are limited English-language programs, and the admission process (portfolio + competitive entrance examination) is conducted in French. For Korean students who do speak French at an advanced level, ENSBA offers an extraordinary and very affordable education — public institution fees are ~€400–€700 per year for EU students, though international student fees vary.
CalArts: American Experimental Freedom
CalArts’ fine arts programs — within the School of Art — are among the most conceptually rigorous and experimentally oriented in the United States. The school’s post-studio art culture encourages students to question the nature of art itself rather than simply produce objects. Faculty are practicing artists who exhibit internationally.
What CalArts offers:
- Fully English instruction — accessible to Korean students with strong TOEFL scores
- A campus culture of genuine experimentation across media, genres, and disciplines
- The interdisciplinary interaction across CalArts’ six schools — students can engage with film, music, dance, and theater alongside their visual arts practice
- Direct connection to the Los Angeles contemporary art scene and the international art world beyond the entertainment industry pipeline
For Korean Students: An Honest Assessment
If you speak French fluently: The École des Beaux-Arts offers an extraordinary fine art education at dramatically lower cost than CalArts, embedded in the Parisian art world. The historical weight of the institution and its alumni network in European contemporary art are significant advantages. This is a serious option for Korean students with genuine French language proficiency.
If you do not speak French: The language barrier at ENSBA is prohibitive for most Korean students. CalArts becomes the clear choice for experimental fine arts in the Western tradition.
Career geography: ENSBA connects graduates primarily to the European (especially French and Parisian) contemporary art world. CalArts connects graduates to the Los Angeles and American art world, with strong global connections through the entertainment industry.
A Third Option Worth Mentioning
Korean students interested in European fine arts education who do not speak French should also consider programs at Goldsmiths (London), the Slade School of Art (London), or the Städelschule (Frankfurt) — all conducted in English and offering world-class fine arts education in the European tradition.
The Bottom Line
Choose École des Beaux-Arts if you speak advanced French, want to be embedded in Parisian contemporary art culture, and are comfortable with the public institution’s competitive entrance process — at dramatically lower cost than CalArts.
Choose CalArts if you want the most experimentally rigorous, fully English-language fine arts education in the US, with interdisciplinary access and connection to the Los Angeles art world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How competitive is admission to the École des Beaux-Arts? Extremely competitive. The entrance examination process is rigorous and conducted in French. Acceptance rates are not publicly reported but are very low among applicants who reach the examination stage.
Does the École des Beaux-Arts offer scholarships for Korean students? French government scholarships (Campus France program) are available for international students including Koreans. The public institution fee structure also makes it far more affordable than private art schools in the US or UK.
What TOEFL score does CalArts require? CalArts does not publish a fixed minimum TOEFL score but requires proof of English proficiency. A TOEFL iBT of 80 or above is generally sufficient.
Royal Blue Art & Design는 압구정에 위치한 유학미술학원으로, 19년간 한국 학생들의 RISD, Parsons, CalArts 등 미국 최상위 미술대학 입시를 도와왔습니다. [상담 문의하기 →]