Arts Undergraduate Research
The Arts Division offers both creative and critical studies of art and culture at the undergraduate level. The division is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all students to thrive and to celebrate the abundance of diversity in our community. Instruction in the arts inspires and develops the skills needed for individual and collaborative thought, analysis, and action within and beyond the university.
Preparing for Undergraduate Research
Finding an Opportunity
Funding
Presentation & Performance Opportunities
Student Organizations
Finding an Opportunity
In the Arts Division, Undergraduate Research (UR) encompasses every aspect of creation, performance, analysis, and commentary. In addition to opportunities available through coursework, independent study, internships, and student organizations, you will have the chance to participate in the vibrant interactions between the arts and the scientific and technology community at UCSC. For example, the new Bachelor of Arts in Games and Playable Media is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program that will run concurrently with the Games and Playable Media B.S. in the new Computational Media Department.
The profiles of Jay Arms (B.A. in Music) and Ashley Young (B.A. Film & Digital Media Film & Legal Studies) provide examples of the wide range of opportunities for student engagement and excellence.
To learn more, follow the links below to look at the research interests of the professors in the degree-granting departments Click on the faculty name to see their research interests.
- Art Department
- Film and Digital Media
- History of Arts and Visual Culture
- Music Department
- Theater Arts
and the activities at the affiliated programs:
and the Arts Research Centers and Programs.
For specific opportunities, check the following UCSC sites:
Additional opportunities can be found at:
- Smithsonian Institution, Internships
- The Getty Foundation's Multicultural Undergraduate Internship program (must study or live in LA County)
- The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History internships
- The Vermont Studio Center open to all artists and writers
- Art Institute of Chicago internships
Funding
Check with the UCSC Financial Aid Office to see if you qualify for specific funding opportunities.
Additional options to help fund projects include external funding, UC funding, and departmental and college grants.
External Funding
Alan Lucas Educational Scholarships
Applications may be submitted by full-time students who desire to study propose to pursue lighting education or research as part of their undergraduate, graduate or doctoral studies. Applications for the Alan Lucas Memorial Educational Scholarships may be made by those who will be a junior, senior, or graduate student in an accredited four year college or university located in Northern California (including San Luis Obispo, Fresno and north). All applications should be submitted before April 1. The scholarships to be awarded will be at least $1,500.00. The student must submit an application, a statement of purpose, a description of work in progress, transcripts, three recommendations and a scholar agreement form. Copies of all enclosed documents should be photo-copied for interested students.
The Division, Department, Your Professor and your College
The Dean's office may provide funding for some projects- contact them for more information. Some departments provide funding, so check with the department manager, the department webpage, and your academic adviser. If you are working with a professor, ask if there is funding for project expenses, conference travel, or other costs before starting your project.
UCSC Opportunities:
- Arts Division Scholarships and Fellowships
- Art Department- multiple grants, including Irwin Project Grants and Porter College Endowments
- Film and Digital Media/Porter Fellowship- email film@ucsc.edu for more information.
- History of Arts and Visual Culture- HAVC/Porter College Fellowship, Patricia and Rowland Rebele Fellowship
- Hitchcock Modern Poetry Fund (students must have a faculty sponsor)
- Music Department
- The Nancy Pascal Field Study Scholarship is open to any undergraduate student who is planning a field study through a campus department or program. The deadline for applications is in late February 21 in the Community Studies Program office, 213 Oakes. For more information, contact Veronica Lopez-Duran at 459-2371.
UCSC Colleges
Below are some links to college pages that list funding opportunities for undergraduates in that college. Be sure to check with your college adviser, since not all opportunities are posted online.
- College 9/10 Student Project Funds
- Cowell Student Project Funds
- Crown Student Project Funds
- Kresge Student Scholarships and Grants
- Merrill Student Opportunities
- Porter College Student Project Funds
- Porter College Creative & Innovative Grants
- Stevenson Research Project Funding
Presentation & Performance Opportunities
The Council on Undergraduate Research lists journals that publish undergraduate work, including in the Arts.
Listed below are some opportunities to present your work at UCSC. Please note the list is not comprehensive.
- Audeamus, UC-wide Multidisciplinary Honors Journal
- April in Santa Cruz
- Arboretum (contact Martin Quigley, maquigle@ucsc.edu)
- Barnstorm
- Catamaran Literary Reader
- Chautauqua Festival of Student Theater
- Chinquapin Literary Magazine- poetry, photography, illustration, short fiction, prose
- Dance: "Random with a Purpose"
- EyeCandy
- Fridays at 4- contact the Music Department at music@ucsc.edu
- The Irwin Scholars Art Exhibition
- Matchbox Magazine is an UC-wide collaborative creative writing project. The magazine publishes prose, poetry, and art created by students throughout the UC system, and distributes copies of their magazine to the literature departments at each UC School.
- Open Studios
- The Red Wheelbarrow including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, art, photography
- Science Slug (creating art and science media)
Contact: scientificslug@gmail.com - Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios
- SlugFilm Visual Archive
- The UCSC Student Print Sale
Conferences & Student Showcases
Check the Center for Undergraduate Research's Presentation Opportunities.
- de Young Museum New Generation's Student Showcase in April
- Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities in January.
Student Organizations
Chinquapin Literary Magazine- poetry, photography, illustration, short fiction, prose
Contact: chinquapin@gmail.com
Film Club
Contact: Filmclub.ucsc@gmail.com
Matchbox Magazine-prose, poetry, and artwork by UC students
Contact: matchboxmagazine@gmail.com
The Red Wheelbarrow including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, art, photography
Contact:ucscredwheelbarrow@gmail.com
Science Slug (creating art and science media)
Contact: scientificslug@gmail.com
TWANAS (Third World and Native American Student Press Collective)