Arts Division

Inspiring creative minds and changemakers.

At UC Santa Cruz, the Arts are a driving force for change. We believe every person holds creative power. Our students learn technique and turn ideas into action, exploring meaning that transforms how we see the world. Whether through sound, image, performance, or code, they speak powerfully to the moment we live in and the future they dare to imagine.

Our programs are as bold and inclusive as the students and faculty who shape them. The Arts is home to trailblazing work that is fearless, experimental, and rooted in justice. We host the most globally inclusive music program in the country. Students master storytelling across every medium—theater, film, interactive media, and immersive digital worlds. They engage deeply with visual legacies across cultures, time, and identity while pioneering work in environmental art, social practice, and cutting-edge technologies. Our graduates screen at Sundance, Cinequest, and international festivals, land on HBO, and earn admission to top MFA programs. From day one, we’re training artists who don’t just create—they transform communities and drive social change.

Students in the Film and Digital Media Department amplify voices and stories that have been overlooked—reshaping narratives, challenging perspectives, and building a more inclusive future for all.

We push boundaries. We collaborate across campus and beyond. We amplify the voices of those artists who dare to change the world. Our artists join forces with scientists to decode whale songs and transform them into sonic masterpieces. They partner with environmentalists to architect living gardens that fight climate catastrophe. They collaborate with technologists to harness AI’s power to redefine human existence itself. This is art with purpose—art as a catalyst for reimagining our world.

“What does it take for UC Santa Cruz Arts students to unleash their full creative power? Bold investment, real mentorship, and clear pathways to professional success. When we give them the tools to break barriers and spark change, they don’t just dream of thriving arts careers—they create them, and they make a difference.”

— Lawrence Andrews, Arts Division Interim Dean

Students in the Arts Division transform raw materials into meaning—whether sharing mariachi music at Cornucopia or sketching in the studio—discovering how art connects us and sparks new ways of seeing the world.

With your support, we can empower a new generation of artists to lead, question, and create.

We will make the arts accessible to all: By increasing scholarships and financial support, we will ensure that every talented student—regardless of background—can afford to pursue their artistic calling at UC Santa Cruz.

We will unlock transformative opportunities: From mentorships to internships, international exchanges to visionary capstone projects—your support fuels the kinds of experiences that shape lives, open doors, and launch careers.

We will champion fearless faculty as we reimagine what the arts can be, embracing diversity and inclusion, working to decolonize the curriculum, lead with equity, and inspire the next generation to do the same.

We will build spaces where bold ideas come to life: New labs, studios, and performance venues—like a reimagined Barn Theater or cutting-edge digital media spaces—will give students the tools and platforms to realize their creative visions and address the challenges of our time.

Students engage with the Weather and the Whale exhibit at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences—a collaboration between artists and marine scientists that connects people to the impact of climate change.

Support for the Arts Division

Gifts to the Arts Division support faculty and students creating inspiring art— allowing UC Santa Cruz to attract and retain talented students and faculty and further the impact of culture and creativity.

Faculty support helps the division attract and retain artistic talent to lead innovative discoveries, build bridges, and work closely with students. We are seeking funding for chairs/professorships, new research institutes, and postdoctoral fellowships.

Student support makes it affordable for talented students to study here, and prepare for successful careers. We seek funding for scholarships, graduate fellowships, and degree-defining experiences.

Programmatic support includes seed funding for students and faculty to pursue new artistic directions, support for lab and field equipment, curriculum innovation, funds for exhibits, film festivals, and student projects. We seek funding for digital arts and new media; performance, play, and design; and creative technologies.

The Dean’s Innovation Fund gives academic leadership resources to respond to emerging opportunities and student and faculty initiatives.

Support the Arts Division

Arts Division Departments

ART
CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
DIGITAL ARTS & NEW MEDIA
FILM & DIGITAL MEDIA
HISTORY OF ART & VISUAL CULTURE
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
PERFORMANCE, PLAY & DESIGN

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