u/Funkouttahere21

Does anyone know about the art practice major at UCSC? I am an art practice major and run a small brand that focuses on tactile design and storytelling, and am trying to decide between the program at Berkeley and UCSC. On welcome day, all of the panelists for the art dept at Berkeley were research based artists, and looking at the faculty most of their work is research based as well. I’m wondering which environment would be better for me to carve a path that leans more into the elements of art that I want to focus on, meaning heavy studio classes, entrepreneurial mindsets, etc.

Edited to be less emotionally charged:

Hey everyone,

I recently visited UC Berkeley for Golden Bear Welcome Day and wanted to get some perspective from current students, especially in arts/humanities.

For context:

•	I’m coming from a small town / community college environment

•	I went alone, slept <5 hours, and ended up walking \~15 miles that day

•	So I know my experience might be a bit skewed by fatigue and stress

That said, here were my honest impressions:

Social vibe

•	It felt a lot more “closed off” than what I’m used to

•	People mostly stayed within their own groups and didn’t really acknowledge others

•	I’m trying to figure out if that’s just a first-day / big campus thing, or if that’s the general culture

Event experience

•	I tried to attend a Letters & Science session but got turned away due to capacity (which is fine, just felt a bit abrupt)

•	At an arts/humanities panel, a lot of the discussion leaned toward research/theory-based art

Art question

•	I’m more interested in expressive, emotionally-driven work rather than heavily research-based or conceptual work

•	Are there spaces at Berkeley where that kind of art is more common?

•	Or is the overall culture more academic/conceptual?

Housing

•	I toured a few shared living spaces

•	Prices seemed high relative to quality (though I did find one decent option)

•	Is this just the reality of Berkeley housing, or are there better ways to find good spots?

General environment

•	Downtown seemed active (restaurants, shops, etc.), but I’m still unsure if it’s a place I’d enjoy spending a lot of time in

•	Curious how people actually experience the area once they’re settled in

⸻

Main question:

For people who go here now—did your first impression match your actual experience?

•	Did it take time to find your people?

•	Is the social environment more open once you’re integrated?

•	How would you describe the art community beyond first impressions?

Appreciate any honest input. I’m just trying to get a clearer picture beyond a single (pretty intense) day.