How to Apply

Apply now for fall 2013
Applications are now being reviewed for fall 2013.

Please contact Noel Dahl, Director of Graduate Admission at ndahl@cca.edu for further information about submitting a late application.

For general questions about CCA’s graduate programs or the application process, please email graduateprograms@cca.edu.

Application Requirements

Application (nonrefundable $70 application fee required)
Résumé / Curriculum vitae
Personal statement
Exhibition critique
Exhibition proposal
Two letters of recommendation
Official college transcripts

Application

Applicants must complete and submit the application online. (Note: Due to the volume of applications received, CCA is unable to return any materials; please do not submit any original artworks or writings.) Apply online now.

Résumé / Curriculum Vitae

Outline your educational and professional background and relevant experience and activities.

Personal Statement 

In 500 to 1,000 words, outline your interest in this program and your professional and educational goals. Briefly describe relevant previous experience (i.e., curatorial projects, writings, research, and organizational roles), your particular areas of interest in contemporary art, and any critical influences on your work.

Written Material

Applicants should submit their written materials online as a PDF by registering for a SlideRoom account specifically for CCA applicants. Once an account is registered, instructions on how to create the portfolio will be provided.

Exhibition Critique

This 1,000-word essay should critique a recent contemporary art exhibition, evaluating its contents, order, ideas, and presentation.

Exhibition Proposal

In 1,000 words, provide a basic thesis and outline for a proposed exhibition, and include a list of artists and works, a possible site/venue, and a minimum of five visuals.

Two Letters of Recommendation

We encourage all applicants to use our electronic recommendation process for the convenience of the recommending parties, as well as to ensure the timely receipt of the letters. Your two letters of recommendation should be written by academic or professional sources (not personal or family friends). When submitting your application, please provide the email addresses of your recommenders so that we can send them the form electronically.

Official College Transcripts 

Official college transcripts are best to use for the application, however, unofficial transcripts are acceptable for review purposes only. These should be scanned, front and back, and uploaded with your other application documents.

Should you be accepted and choose to enroll with CCA, the official, sealed transcript of your undergraduate coursework must be sent to Graduate Admissions by August 1, 2013. Applicants who have taken graduate coursework are welcome to also send transcripts in support of their graduate application.

For international applicants, all transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation of the original.

All admitted students who were still in the process of completing a bachelor's degree at the time of applying must send the final transcript before enrolling to verify completion of the bachelor’s degree, including official notation of date of graduation, no later than August 1, 2013.

Mail your official transcript to:

California College of the Arts
Enrollment Services Office—Graduate Admissions
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco CA 94107-2247

International applicants must submit additional requirements in support of their application to the graduate program.

Dual Degree

Students interested in applying to the dual-degree program with Visual and Critical Studies must complete the dual-degree application under the Visual and Critical Studies application and follow the admissions requirements for each program.

Scholarships

Graduate Program in Curatorial Practice Merit Scholarships: The admissions committee selects a limited number of outstanding students each year for these prestigious scholarships. This year merit recipients received $18,000 in renewable awards.

Diversity Scholarships
The graduate division awards special scholarships to entering students who bring diverse experiences, ideas, and creative work to the CCA community. These renewable awards range from $11,000 to $24,000.

Chair’s Award
A discretionary and renewable award up to $1,000 toward the purchase of books.

Koc Scholarship for Emerging Curators from Turkey
To support promising young curators in Turkey, California College of the Arts and Vehbi Koc Foundation are delighted to announce the Koc Scholarship in the Graduate Program in Curatorial Practice.

Facilitated through a partnership between CCA and the Koc Foundation, this new scholarship encompasses full tuition as well as a contribution toward living expenses and will be offered annually to one student from Turkey beginning with the 2013-14 academic year.

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching assistantships are based on merit and are awarded by the graduate chairs.

California College of the Arts

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