Through artist residencies Cal Poly Arts enriches the academic experiences of Cal Poly students, extending the impact of our artists beyond what transpires on the stage. While on campus, many Cal Poly Arts artists will engage in master classes, lecture/demonstrations, workshops, and co-creation experiences with students in partnership with academic departments and faculty. Activities will explore the creative process and inspiration, artistic technique and expression, as well as the socio-political contexts in which art is created. These experiences will be accessible to students of diverse majors across campus.

Cal Poly Arts believes the arts should not be reserved for the privileged few in our county, but rather, available and accessible to everyone. With this notion in mind, Cal Poly Arts has created the Passport to the Arts program, providing free or deeply subsidized access to performing arts experiences on the Central Coast to low-income and/or marginalized communities who have not historically had access to high-quality, live, artistic programming. 

Passport to the Arts provides: 

• A “passport” to select, public, ticketed Cal Poly Arts events for low-income residents (in partnership with the Housing Authority San Luis Obispo and other community nonprofits) to attend free-of-cost, with additional pre- and post-event activities (meet and greets with artists, exclusive receptions, creative workshops, etc.)  to create a welcoming experience
• Free performing arts workshops to the community both on and off Cal Poly’s campus
• Subsidized student ticket prices for Cal Poly Students or anyone with a student ID in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties
• Artist residency activities on location in underrepresented communities at no cost to the participants, while also removing any transportation barrier

POLY ARTS FOR YOUTH (PAFY) is Cal Poly Arts’ education enrichment program for students K-12. Our world-class touring artists engage directly with children in their own classrooms, allowing for rich cultural, and artistic experiences. In 2021-2022 we were able to serve over 10,000 students at zero cost to the students or schools. After two years of virtual-only programming, we are excited to announce PAFY will be a hybrid program this year with both in-person and virtual offerings.