At UC Berkeley, our arts programs are at the core of academic and artistic achievement. Our interdisciplinary approach places the arts at the heart of research and innovation, ensuring that the synergy between students and faculty drives groundbreaking work across disciplines. The arts at Berkeley are integrated into every facet of university life—creating a dynamic, collaborative environment where creativity and scholarly inquiry converge.
This year, Berkeley saw exceptional growth in student interest across the arts. Art Practice, Film & Media, Music, History of Art, and Theater, Dance & Performance Studies saw their highest major headcounts in a decade. Among these, Art Practice, Film & Media, and Music have been the fastest-growing, ranking among the top 10 highest-growing majors on campus over the past five years. This surge in demand reflects the increasing recognition of the arts as a critical driver of academic and societal impact.
Our students are not just artists—they are scholars, researchers, and innovators, developing new forms of creative expression that shape the future. Whether working in art practice, film, music, or creative writing — students benefit from the expertise of faculty who are both practicing artists and leading scholars in their fields. These faculty—internationally recognized for their work—bring their creative practice directly into the classroom, teaching students to push boundaries and use their voices across various media.
As demand for the arts continues to grow, so must our commitment to improving and expanding spaces, providing access to students, and ensuring we can recruit and retain the best faculty in the world. Our arts spaces spread across campus and the Bay Area, form a constellation of interconnected workspaces, laboratories, and studios where students and faculty can collaborate, experiment, and innovate.
As the demand for these programs grows, we must ensure that our resources match the potential of our students. By investing in these spaces and expanding our faculty, we can continue to support the next generation of artists, scholars, and creators—ensuring that Berkeley remains a leader in the arts, where creativity and research transform the future.