Supporting Our Community

Summer of Art

• Dedicated and passionate students belong at Otis College. This is why Summer of Art offers scholarship opportunities to students who, for financial reasons, may not otherwise be able to attend. Scholarship awards are available that may cover up to the total cost of tuition for the full, 5-day program. Scholarships are based on financial need, student portfolio, personal statement, and academic achievement. Unless otherwise stated, scholarship awards do not cover supplies, transportation, housing, and/or meals.

Summer Language Program (SLP)

• Students who do not meet the Office of Admissions’ Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) requirements may be conditionally admitted to Otis College pending successful completion of the Otis College Summer Language Program, which provides a strong foundation for students to start their BFA studies. 

   

• In addition to improving their English language abilities, students can engage in a studio elective course and connect with other Otis College students before the start of the Fall semester.

Snap Lens Lab Program

• In this three-week, pre-college program, students will combine the power of augmented reality (AR) with their own creativity to visualize, draw, develop, and share dynamic experiences. Snap Lens Lab @ Otis College will provide 15 scholarships to eligible Los Angeles County high school students which will cover full participation in the program. Snap Lens Lab @ Otis College is designed to provide high school youth, including seniors, from underserved communities with access and insight into meaningful career opportunities that may have been otherwise inaccessible to them.
  

BIPOC Student Summit

• Launched in January 2021, this one-day summit focuses on creating a community space for students of all backgrounds, allowing them to connect around their shared experiences as emerging creatives and focus on professional development and holistic wellbeing.
• This program uplifts and empowers student voices through dialogue on personal development, professional growth, and opportunities beyond graduation.
• More information about this program here: otis.edu/bipoc-student-summit

Black Creatives Institute

• Open to all students, this five-day program builds community among incoming creatives and provides holistic support for personal growth, identity formation, cultural development, and career development to create a strong sense of belonging within the Otis College community.
• More information about the program is here: otis.edu/black-creatives-institute

Charles White Scholarship

• Open to all prospective students, this four-year full-tuition scholarship is designed for young artists and designers from Los Angeles and beyond. The Scholarship is awarded to one incoming first-year or transfer art and design student from California and one from anywhere in the United States.
• More information can be found here: otis.edu/charles-white-scholarship

Community Engagement and Belonging

• All incoming undergraduate and graduate students must complete a Community Engagement and Belonging course, providing foundational knowledge that supports a welcoming and supportive community.
• The First-Year Experience program, Take FLIGHT, centers Community Engagement and Belonging as a part of its six core modules.

Preferred Name and Pronouns

• The College has a Pronoun and Preferred Name policy that allows students to use their desired name and pronoun, and this is incorporated within class rosters, platforms, and other College systems.

Veteran Student Support

• Otis College regularly invests in support offerings centered around community engagement for our veteran students, allowing them to connect and engage around their unique experiences returning to college.
• Sustained financial support from the Ahmanson Foundation has allowed Otis College to fund programs and initiatives to enhance the experience for veteran students. 
• Otis College participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps finance college education for veterans and provides a privately-named scholarship funded through the Ahmanson Foundation.

Employee Resource Groups

• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) provide faculty (full-time and adjunct) teaching in the College’s BFA/MFA programs and staff (full-time and part-time) with a platform to foster community, share experiences, and support professional and personal growth. Current faculty and staff can find more information on ERGs in their MyOtis portal.

Accessibility Committee

• Committee focused on developing resources for faculty to engage in best practices and learning opportunities on accessibility and student experiences around disability and neurodiversity.
• Small learning sessions have been launched to help faculty connect and share resources to better support the student experience.

AICAD BIPOC Academic Leadership Institute

• The Student Affairs office and Community Engagement and Belonging sponsored seven faculty and staff to participate in the second annual Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) BIPOC Academic Leadership Institute, providing professional development and mentoring opportunities.

Diversity in the Curriculum

• Support faculty development through grants to encourage the infusion of diversity of thought in the curriculum. All courses operate with the primary goal of implementing an inclusive curriculum and approaches to culturally responsive pedagogy.

LGBTQIA+ Inclusion Committee

• This Committee is focused on policies and practices toward supporting LGBTQIA+ community members, including faculty, staff, and students.
• This Committee develops a progress report that is reviewed and assessed by the Campus Pride Index. In prior reviews, Otis College was awarded 4 out of 5 stars for its efforts to create a supportive community.

Teaching and Learning Center Resources

• Faculty can access resources and training to engage in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) efforts to optimize student classroom accessibility.

Community Museum Visits

• The Division of Student Affairs offers limited complimentary entry to exhibitions throughout Los Angeles focused on the region’s creative communities and rich cultural history. Please email studentaffairs@otis.edu for more information.