Were you considered “artsy” in high school? Are you looking forward to continuing your artistic journey in college? Being near Hollywood and a vigorous artistic community in Los Angeles, UCLA is a school rich in diverse, artistic resources and is welcoming to student artists with various backgrounds. This guide highlights some of the amazing features that Bruin artists can enjoy!
For Visual Artists
If you are a visual artist, the Hammer Museum is a place you would not want to miss on campus. The Hammer Museum features contemporary art exhibitions, performances and public programs, making it a great place to find inspiration and get involved. On North Campus, the Broad Art Center provides state-of-the-art studios and labs for painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography and more. Additionally, on the east side of the Broad Art Center is the Arts Library, which houses an extensive collection of books, journals and multimedia resources relating to the arts, making it an excellent place for research and finding inspiration.
If you are looking for a space to produce your own artistic project on the Hill, the makerspace in Olympic Hall is the place to go! It is equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines and woodworking and metalworking tools. For visual artists looking for a specific leadership position to practice and showcase their artistic skills, various student organizations on campus also frequently recruit design and marketing members.
For Musicians
There are so many different paths and places for musicians on campus! For example, a home for practice rooms, performance spaces and classrooms is the Schoenberg Music Building. The Evelyn and Mo Ostin Music Center located near Schoenberg also includes recording studios and rehearsal spaces along with a digital lab, allowing students to utilize technology to refine their skills and experiment with sounds.
Academically, there exists a wide array of music ensembles that are open to all majors, with or without prior music experience. Moreover, if you are a vocalist, there are many competitive and non-competitive choirs and a cappella student organizations that are active on campus. A big opportunity for musicians is Spring Sing, one of UCLA’s most beloved and anticipated annual events that showcases the university’s diverse and exceptional artistic talent. Spring Sing first began as a simple, informal gathering of students singing in sorority houses and has since evolved into a grand, professionally produced event held at the iconic Pauley Pavilion. Over the decades, it has featured performances by future stars such as Sara Bareilles, Maroon 5 (then known as Kara’s Flowers) and Tyrone Wells. Spring Sing is more than just a talent show, it’s a celebration of creativity, talent and the Bruin spirit. It provides a platform for students to shine and brings the Bruin community together in a unique and joyous way. Whether you’re a performer or a spectator, Spring Sing is an event you won’t want to miss.
For Theater and Film Artists
UCLA is renowned for its theater and film programs and boasts a passionate and bonded community of theater and film artists. The school has over 10 theater companies completely run by students, including HOOLIGAN Theater Company, Act III Theater Ensemble and Shakespeare Company at UCLA. Whether you are interested in classical drama or musical theater, or if you want to act on stage or work behind the scenes, there is always a place for you to engage in these student communities!
The School of Theater, Film and Television, or TFT, also offers courses for non-majors to get a taste of learning theater with professionals. However, all the mainstage productions by TFT are only open to theater majors and minors. There are many rehearsal and performance spaces for theater events on campus too. TFT has two theaters, the Freud Theater and the Little Theater, and they are usually used by TFT mainstage productions and HOOLIGAN Theater Company. The TFT classrooms can be booked by any TFT student or rented by student organizations. Similarly, Kerckhoff Grand Salon and Hedrick Movement Studio are frequently used by student theater companies as performance venues. On the Hill, study rooms and music rooms are open for reservation to all students for table readings and rehearsals. The Center for the Art of Performance also sells a variety of student tickets to theater performances on and near campus.
For film artists, there are also plenty of student organizations that offer a wide range of on-set opportunities. For example, the Film & Photography Society provides hands-on experience for all who are interested in filmmaking and photography, with no experience necessary. Both undergraduate and graduate students in the film major frequently release opportunities to help them with their projects or thesis as actors or production assistants. Of course, you can always start your own film project and recruit your crew on campus as well.
Whether you are a visual artist, musician or theater and film producer, UCLA offers an array of resources and communities to support your artistic endeavors. Embrace the opportunities available to you, get involved in student organizations and make use of the world-class facilities on campus. With passion, dedication and creativity, you can thrive as an artist on campus and make the most of your college experience. Welcome to UCLA, and let your artistic journey begin!
