Creative Projects

Study

Students can study and practice the arts here at Cal by taking rigorous coursework, culminating in creative projects that center the student experience and are often shared with the public. 

• Where to start: Explore arts-related majors and minors within the Arts & Humanities Division and College of Environmental Design, get a certificate in Design Innovation at Jacobs Institute, enroll in an Art of Writing course, or take an introductory gateway course or cross-disciplinary Big Ideas courseto expose yourself to different disciplines and fulfill breadth requirements.

Make

Students can also take studio-based classes to learn about artistic processes, to enhance personal growth, and to expand creative capacities. There is the rich and long history of the arts and design intersecting with other fields of research and inquiry to create knowledge and solve challenging problems.

• Where to start: Search classes in the Academic Guide class schedule by “Studio”, sign up for a class at the Berkeley Art Studio at the student rate, including digital art classes by the student-run Creative Lab, take one of Jacobs Institute of Design Innovation studio-based courses, or take advantage of summer courses within Theater, Dance & Performance Studies, Art Practice, and College of Environmental Design. 
• You can also utilize tools for making your own projects with the Jacobs Maker Pass, and spaces like the UC Berkeley Library Makerspace, Mechanical Engineering Student Access Machine Shop, Cory Student Workshop, Supernode, and College of Environmental Design Fabrication Lab

Research

Modes of creative expression and art makers play a large role in historical, political, and cultural movements in our world. Students can learn about the impact of arts and design within historical archives, through ethnographic research, observation, and data collection to deepen their research projects. 

• Where to start: Search the Discovery Opportunities Database for arts and design opportunities, pursue an Honors or Senior Thesis in Arts & Humanities, apply for research programs that focus on creative projects including the Berkeley Engineering Design Scholars, Haas Scholars, Fung Fellowship and Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship, or look through the list of UC Berkeley research center for creative research teams like the Co-Design Lab.

Inquire

Students can gain skills in analysis, theory, and critical reflection through creative inquiry - adding new ways of thinking about how art and creativity (and those who utilize these modes of inquiry) impact our world. 

• Where to start: Study interdisciplinary inquiry through L&S Big Ideas courses that fulfill Breadth requirements, get an Undergraduate Certificate in Urban Humanities to learn how arts and humanities interact with our environment, or combine classes to earn a Townsend Center for the Humanities course thread certificate in topics like Culture & Globalization or Humanities & Environment, attend lecture series like the Design Field Notes and Citris Research Exchange or watch archived lectures on Arts+Design YouTube.  
  

Immerse

Students can also gain access to the arts and design through real-world experiences involving the arts within community-focused initiatives, student-led teaching, social activism, public engagement, and more. 

• Where to start: Get involved in arts and design on campus by joining a student club (search Cal Link by Arts Student Organizations, Media & Film Student Orgs, Performing Arts Student Orgs), take an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course to work on a community project, join the CREATE program in the Public Service Center to receive mentorship for teaching arts classes in the community, find arts and design related opportunities through the Discovery Opportunities Database, UCDC, or Berkeley Global Internships, or make an idea a reality at the Big Ideas Contest or Innovation Catalysts Grant