Course General Description

The Costume Design MFA Program encourages students to break with traditional notions of costume design—and think instead in terms of garments that expand or otherwise reshape the physical space of performers. In the Program, critical thinking is emphasized, as is the designer’s contribution to the collaborative process not just as a costume designer but as a critical aesthetic voice in the development on any given project. The curriculum is anchored around the application of contemporary arts philosophies to the medium of design and takes a global approach to exploring modes of dress and adornment, including the relationship between new media and the body from the perspective of art, architecture and science.

School General Description

California Institute of the Arts is renowned internationally as a game-changer in the education of professional artists. The transformative cultural impact of its alumni over the past half-century shows why: CalArts brings out creative talent unlike any other university, school or conservatory. Founded by Walt Disney, CalArts offers comprehensive degree programs across the full range of the visual, performing, media and literary arts through its six Schools. Admissions are decided primarily on artistic merit and creative promise.