QUICK ANSWER
At CalArts, faculty matter before you even enrol. CalArts says the faculty of each programme decide artistic acceptance; the Office of Admissions then reviews academics and language scores. So the people teaching in a programme are also the first people to read your portfolio.
Faculty lists change from year to year, so this page does not name professors. Instead it explains where to find current faculty, what to look for, and how that should shape the portfolio for a specific programme.
FIRST READERS · 1
Why Faculty Matter at Admission
| Fact | What it means |
|---|---|
| Programme faculty decide artistic acceptance | Your portfolio is judged by practitioners in that programme |
| Each programme is a separate application | Character Animation and Experimental Animation faculty read different portfolios |
| Programmes ask for different work | Character Animation requires life drawing and a sketchbook video; Experimental Animation says figure and still-life drawings are generally not acceptable |
From CalArts admissions FAQs and programme requirement pages, checked October 2026.
FIRST READERS · 2
How to Research Current Faculty
- Start with the programme page. CalArts programme pages list current faculty; check the date the page was updated.
- Look at faculty work, not titles. See what they make and exhibit, and whether it connects to what you want to do.
- Read the course listings. Courses show what is actually taught this year.
- Check visiting artists and events. They show who the programme brings in.
- Ask admissions directly. Questions about a programme’s focus are welcome and the answer is more current than any third-party list.
FOR KOREAN STUDENTS
Do not build a CalArts portfolio around a famous name you read about online; build it around the programme’s written requirements and the kind of work its current faculty make. Our six CalArts questions and how CalArts reads grades cover the rest of the process.
FIRST READERS · 3
Frequently Asked Questions
Who reviews portfolios at CalArts?
The faculty of the programme you apply to decide artistic acceptance.
Where can I find current CalArts faculty?
On each programme’s page on the CalArts website, which lists current faculty.
Why doesn’t this page name professors?
Faculty change from year to year, and an out-of-date list would mislead. The programme page is the current source.
Should I mention a professor in my statement?
Only if their work genuinely connects to yours and you have looked at it; the statement should be about your own goals.
Do different CalArts programmes look for different work?
Yes. Character Animation asks for life drawing and a sketchbook video; Experimental Animation discourages figure and still-life studies.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students, including 15 at CalArts. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
From CalArts admissions FAQs and programme requirement pages. Royal Blue figures from our results record (2009–2026). Checked October 2026. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: Checking CalArts Experience · CalArts and Grades · CalArts Housing 2026–27 · CalArts Experimental Animation (Korean) · Royal Blue Results