Getting Involved in the Arts as a Non-Arts Major
By: Lauren Liang ‘23
Instagram.com/@artemis.usc
Are you an artist but not an arts major? Do you miss being a creative in an academic setting? Do you want to get more involved in the arts but not know where to start? Fear not, you’re in the right place.
Before I came to USC as a Cognitive Science major, I spent the entirety of my high school career at a performing arts school. Although I genuinely enjoy my major, it’s a totally different wheelhouse from the joy I feel when I’m breaking down a script, singing my heart out, or creatively collaborating with friends.
So, when I first came to USC, one of the first things I did was find extracurricular activities outside of Dornsife. While USC has a strong artistic community, it can often be difficult to get involved, especially if you are not in one of the arts-focused schools. If you’re in a similar position, here are some of the ways you can get involved as an artist!
“Artist” is an extremely broad term. It can range from actor to screenwriter to filmmaker to designer to musician, and anything in between. Because these categories are so broad, I’ll be focusing on more general tips. Luckily, USC has options for everyone.
Join Clubs
There is no shortage of clubs at this school, and that includes artistic ones! Walk around during the semesterly club fair, you never know what you might find. For example, clubs like Film and TV Writers of USC are open to everyone, and a great way to get real-life film production experience. If you’re interested in channeling your inner theater kid, you can audition for an Independent Student Production (ISP) through one of USC’s many ISP companies, such as Brand New Theatre or Modern Minority Theatre.
Joining clubs is also a great way to network with your peers (and potential co-workers). For instance, professional clubs like the Marshall Entertainment Association are open to all majors, and provide numerous opportunities to build connections in the entertainment industry.
Bonus tip: If you can’t make it to the club fair, not to worry– I found many of the clubs I’m involved in through Instagram.
Take Electives
USC has no shortage of fun, 1 and 2-unit electives (check out other Trojans360 articles on this!). Almost every arts school within USC offers these, so do some digging and keep an eye out while you’re browsing WebReg. As I mentioned in my article Transfer Tips: What I Wish I Knew Before I Transferred to USC, if you’re able to, take 2-unit electives on top of your usual 16 core units each semester. Your tuition already covers 18 units, so take advantage of it! Like with clubs, the people who take these electives likely share similar interests, making this a great opportunity to also make friends.
If you’re particularly interested in a certain specialization, you can look into declaring a minor.
Join Facebook Groups
While Facebook isn’t exactly the place to be when it comes to campus involvement, Facebook groups like USC SCA + SDA Student Collaboration and USC School of Cinematic Arts are a great place to find casting and crew calls, along with other artistic opportunities.
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