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California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

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MFA Choreography

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Program Recognition

Two-year MFA in The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance, set inside the country's only comprehensive accredited college of the visual and performing arts

Training

Coursework in composition, dance theory, costume design, production, dance on camera, and digital media, led by MFA Program Director Julie Bour

Choose a concentration in dance for camera, dance theater, or body x technology; optional supplemental concentrations in Integrated Media and Arts Education (added fall 2024)

Year 1 requires creating and presenting three original works, with weekly dance showings for feedback; candidates may collaborate with artists and designers across every CalArts discipline

Performance & Productions

Second-year graduate thesis concert, supported by committee-approved written proposal and open auditions

Students perform at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) in LA

Professional Development

Teaching opportunities within the undergraduate dance curriculum build college-level teaching experience

Study Abroad

Partner institutions for research and practice in Paris, London, Taipei, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Value

Generous stipend supports the second-year thesis concert

School info

Snapshot

Admit rate

32%

school-wide

Grad rate

67%

Enrollment

860

Earnings

$41K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$63,684

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$90,455

Before aid

Average net price

$46,080

After aid

Cost Attendance · calarts.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 7, 1:51 AM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Two-year MFA in The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance, set inside the country's only comprehensive accredited college of the visual and performing arts

Training

Coursework in composition, dance theory, costume design, production, dance on camera, and digital media, led by MFA Program Director Julie Bour

Choose a concentration in dance for camera, dance theater, or body x technology; optional supplemental concentrations in Integrated Media and Arts Education (added fall 2024)

Year 1 requires creating and presenting three original works, with weekly dance showings for feedback; candidates may collaborate with artists and designers across every CalArts discipline

Performance & Productions

Second-year graduate thesis concert, supported by committee-approved written proposal and open auditions

Students perform at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) in LA

Professional Development

Teaching opportunities within the undergraduate dance curriculum build college-level teaching experience

Study Abroad

Partner institutions for research and practice in Paris, London, Taipei, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Value

Generous stipend supports the second-year thesis concert

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Two-year MFA in The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance, set inside the country's only comprehensive accredited college of the visual and performing arts

Training

Coursework in composition, dance theory, costume design, production, dance on camera, and digital media, led by MFA Program Director Julie Bour

Choose a concentration in dance for camera, dance theater, or body x technology; optional supplemental concentrations in Integrated Media and Arts Education (added fall 2024)

Year 1 requires creating and presenting three original works, with weekly dance showings for feedback; candidates may collaborate with artists and designers across every CalArts discipline

Performance & Productions

Second-year graduate thesis concert, supported by committee-approved written proposal and open auditions

Students perform at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) in LA

Professional Development

Teaching opportunities within the undergraduate dance curriculum build college-level teaching experience

Study Abroad

Partner institutions for research and practice in Paris, London, Taipei, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Value

Generous stipend supports the second-year thesis concert

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$85

Deadline

Fall 2027 Preferred DeadlineDec 1, 2026

Fall 2027 Regular DeadlineJan 5, 2027

Application Deadlines And Fees · calarts.edu

Program AppApplication

Dates

Dates TBA

Apply

School Website

MFA Choreography · calarts.edu

Portfolio Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Portfolio / Artist Sample (3 Complete Works)

Portfolio requirement: Include at least one group choreography work and one documented live performance

Portfolio caption: Give each work a title, completion date, and description of up to 100 words or 750 characters

Portfolio context: Explain each work’s connection to your artistic practice

Artist Statement

Artist statement prompt: Describe your influences, development, and artistic voice (2,500 characters max)

Artist statement prompt: Explain your next artistic step and how CalArts supports it (1,500 characters max)

Artist statement prompt: Describe what you bring to the CalArts community (1,500 characters max)

Artist statement prompt: Describe desired collaborators and research (1,500 characters max)

Optional artist statement context (1,500 characters max)

Resume

Letters of Recommendation (3 Required)

Recommendation instruction: Submit requests through the online application when possible

MFA Choreography · calarts.edu

Good to Know

Applicants create a CalArts application account and submit MFA Choreography materials through the CalArts application/portfolio system.

What's The Process

The MFA Choreography application is portfolio/sample based; no separate live audition requirement was listed on the current CalArts MFA Choreography admission page.

Scholarship Info

Merit-based institutional scholarships and grants may be awarded through CalArts financial aid based on artistic talent and application materials.

School info

Snapshot

Admit rate

32%

school-wide

Grad rate

67%

Enrollment

860

Earnings

$41K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$63,684

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$90,455

Before aid

Average net price

$46,080

After aid

Cost Attendance · calarts.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Two-year MFA in The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance, set inside the country's only comprehensive accredited college of the visual and performing arts

Training

Coursework in composition, dance theory, costume design, production, dance on camera, and digital media, led by MFA Program Director Julie Bour

Choose a concentration in dance for camera, dance theater, or body x technology; optional supplemental concentrations in Integrated Media and Arts Education (added fall 2024)

Year 1 requires creating and presenting three original works, with weekly dance showings for feedback; candidates may collaborate with artists and designers across every CalArts discipline

Performance & Productions

Second-year graduate thesis concert, supported by committee-approved written proposal and open auditions

Students perform at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) in LA

Professional Development

Teaching opportunities within the undergraduate dance curriculum build college-level teaching experience

Study Abroad

Partner institutions for research and practice in Paris, London, Taipei, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Value

Generous stipend supports the second-year thesis concert

Updated Aug 7, 1:51 AM