Arts INitiative (Arts IN)

Applications due December 12th. APPLY TODAY!

The Arts Initiative (Arts IN) Program is specifically designed for AAP third- and fourth- year students who have an arts practice, a passion for the arts, and the desire to engage in interdisciplinary research within the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences. Students who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree are highly encouraged to apply. Arts IN Scholars will conduct a research project with the guidance of a faculty member and a graduate student adviser.

Examples of research of past Arts IN scholars focused on the following: performing arts, street arts (graffiti, contemporary/historical muralisms), sculpture, fine arts, radical museum curation, funding for the arts in public education, art therapy, arts in the sciences, creative writing, dance, digital art, music, and gentrification.

Arts IN Scholars will be:

• Exposed to research tools and mentors that help conceptualize how arts can be integrated into different fields.
• Provided the skills to clarify their own vision and development as a scholar within a social justice, and pedagogical practice framework.
• Train to present their research to a broad audience.
• Given space to rigorously reflect on their art practice and/or passion for the arts and their contribution to society.

First, make sure you are eligible.

Arts IN applicants must:

• Be an AAP Junior, Senior, and/or Transfer student
• Have an art practice, passion for the arts, and/or be engaged in social justice, critical praxis, and community-based arts
• Have the motivation to engage in independent research
• Be interested in learning about graduate or professional school programs

After ensuring eligibility review the following steps to apply:

Part I: Fill out the ARTS IN Application

Part II: Upload the listed items as PDFs to the PDF Submission Box.

• Research Statement (500 words max.)
• Personal Statement (1,000 words max.)
• CV/Resume (if relevant, you can also share your artistic portfolio, but it is not required)
• Your 2020-21 Electronic Financial Aid Notification (eFAN)
• Unofficial Transcript downloaded from MyUCLA

Part III (OPTIONAL): Request your faculty mentors to directly submit their letter of recommendation to the Letter of Recommendation Submission Box.

FALL QUARTER

• Meet with Arts IN Coordinator to learn more
• Apply

WINTER QUARTER

• Enroll in the weekly Arts IN Program 2-unit Honors Collegium Seminar (HC 193A)
• Attend weekly one-on-one meetings with the Arts IN Coordinator
• Learn the nuts & bolts of graduate or professional school application
• Procure a faculty mentor
• Develop a research proposal

SPRING QUARTER

• Enroll in a SRP 99 or Departmental 199 with faculty mentor
• Attend regular cohort meetings with the Arts IN Scholars
• Attend weekly one-on-one meetings with the Arts IN Coordinator
• Create a portfolio of relevant documents for graduate applications
• Present research project at the annual UCLA Undergraduate Research Week

2020-2021 Cohort (in alphabetical order): Sara Ballesteros, Giselle Littleton, Charleen Molina, Isa Moreno, Jocelyn Perez, Evan Sakuma, Amber Salazar, Brendan Thompson