ArtCenter + Tama Art University in Japan | FA26 Faculty-Led Program

Priority Application Deadline: Sunday, March 29 (Week 11)

Click the “APPLY NOW” button at the bottom of this page to get started.

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ACADEMICS ELIGIBILITY COST NEXT STEPS

ACADEMICS

In advance of application, strong making skills and a high degree of knowledge in digital modeling (Rhino / Solidworks) are required.

MAJORS OPEN TO

Open to all majors - especially suited for SXD and PRD students

In advance of application, strong making skills and a high degree of knowledge in digital modeling (Rhino / Solidworks) are required.

HOST DEPARTMENT

SXD Spatial Experience Design

Dan Gottlieb

FACULTY LEAD

Penny Herscovitch

Dan Gottlieb

CREDIT

15 units of ArtCenter credit (9 studio + 6 H&S)

Tentative Dates Abroad: September 9 - December 6, 2026

SCHEDULE

Term: Fall 2026

Tentative Dates Abroad: September 9 - December 6, 2026

ELIGIBILITY

1) Must have completed at least four terms of undergraduate study or two terms of graduate study prior to the Fall 2026 term

2) Must have at least one term remaining upon return to ArtCenter

3) Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

4) In advance of application, strong fabrication skills and a high degree of knowledge in digital modeling (Rhino/Solidworks) are required.

5) Must not be on academic or disciplinary probation at the time of the application

If you do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements or are not sure, you are still welcome to submit an application.

COST

TUITION

You will pay full-time ArtCenter tuition for the Fall 2026 term.

In addition to full-time ArtCenter tuition for the Fall 2026 term, you will be responsible for a non-refundable Program Fee. The final total is pending but we estimate it will be in the $5800-6000 range. This fee covers the following costs: housing for the entire term in Tokyo, wireless internet, transportation passes, a research trip to multiple locations across Japan, some museum entrances fees, and travel / medical insurance.

NON-REFUNDABLE PROGRAM FEE

In addition to full-time ArtCenter tuition for the Fall 2026 term, you will be responsible for a non-refundable Program Fee. The final total is pending but we estimate it will be in the $5800-6000 range. This fee covers the following costs: housing for the entire term in Tokyo, wireless internet, transportation passes, a research trip to multiple locations across Japan, some museum entrances fees, and travel / medical insurance.

If you are accepted to the program and choose to commit, you will be responsible for providing a $250 non-refundable Program Deposit. This deposit ensures your commitment to the program and is a downpayment towards the total program fee.

NON-REFUNDABLE PROGRAM DEPOSIT

If you are accepted to the program and choose to commit, you will be responsible for providing a $250 non-refundable Program Deposit. This deposit ensures your commitment to the program and is a downpayment towards the total program fee.

Please note that once you have indicated your commitment to the program and paid your $250 Program Deposit, you will be considered confirmed for the program. If you cancel your participation or withdraw from the program for any reason after that point of commitment, you will owe a cancelation penalty fee of $6000 which is equal to the full cost of the program.

CANCELLATION FEE

Please note that once you have indicated your commitment to the program and paid your $250 Program Deposit, you will be considered confirmed for the program. If you cancel your participation or withdraw from the program for any reason after that point of commitment, you will owe a cancelation penalty fee of $6000 which is equal to the full cost of the program.

Costs that you will be responsible for that are NOT included in the program fee include: passport ($135), visa fees (if applicable), roundtrip airfare LAX-Tokyo (~$700-$1500), transfers to / from airport, and daily personal expenses such as food, toiletries, supplies, souvenirs, cell phone, etc. ($50-$60 / day)

ADDITIONAL

Costs that you will be responsible for that are NOT included in the program fee include: passport ($135), visa fees (if applicable), roundtrip airfare LAX-Tokyo (~$700-$1500), transfers to / from airport, and daily personal expenses such as food, toiletries, supplies, souvenirs, cell phone, etc. ($50-$60 / day)

There is a section in the program application for students to indicate financial need.

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

https://www.artcenterstudyaway.com/pay-for-study-away

There is a section in the program application for students to indicate financial need.

NEXT STEPS

To start your application, click the Apply Now button below.

For more details on the application process, visit this page.

INFORMATION SESSION

Monday, March 16 (Week 9) at 1pm

Location: https://artcenter.zoom.us/j/93305885338

Can’t make it to an info session?

Sign up for a 1-on-1 advising meeting with the Global Programs office to learn more about the program.

Applicant Interviews: Week 11 and 12

APPLICATION AND NOTIFICATION TIMELINE

Priority Applications Due: Sunday, March 29 (Week 11)

Applicant Interviews: Week 11 and 12

Wednesday, April 15 (Week 13)

Decisions Announced: Wednesday, April 8 (Week 12)

Program Commitments + Deposits Due:

Wednesday, April 15 (Week 13)

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ABOUT THE PROJECT

Collaboration with Tama Art University, Tokyo:

The Nature of Wood: JAPAN project marks 20 years of collaboration between Tama Art University, Tokyo and ArtCenter. Since 2006, this educational collaboration has brought together students from both universities for annual collaborations bridging Japan’s and California’s diverse cultures, around themes of global relevance. Check out past projects here.

Cross-cultural student teams:

Students from the two partner schools will collaborate on interdisciplinary, cross-cultural teams. Tama Art University, Tokyo brings craft traditions & top Japanese design. ArtCenter brings industry excellence, digital design & So Cal innovation. 

Creating wellbeing with nature:

How might emotional design bring the healing qualities of wood to modern life?

Japanese spirit of wood: 

How might we learn from Japan’s deep appreciation of craft, philosophical, spiritual, and sustainable principles?

Design outcomes:

Inspired by your team’s research insights, explore the Nature of Wood theme and create designs that embrace the senses. Design outcomes may range in scale from products & home goods, to lighting & furnishings, to experiences, spaces and environments.

FALL 2026 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

• HSAP-860A Design Research Class (3 H&S Credits)

  COURSE DESCRIPTION:

  Tama and ArtCenter students will engage in intensive team-based design research investigating the “Nature of Wood” theme. Students will engage with subject matter experts from the fields of wood manufacturing, sustainable forestry, materials innovation, design, and traditional Japanese craft. Students will learn to formulate research questions, apply research methodologies, document field research, distill observations and synthesize insights in order to drive opportunities for design, innovation and fabrication.

  LEARNING OUTCOMES

  CLO1: Research culturally relevant design opportunities in international, cross-cultural contexts, from a range of perspectives.

  CLO2: Engage in site-based and hands-on research & documentation.

  CLO3: Formulate research questions, apply research methodologies, distill research observations, synthesize insights, and generate design opportunities from research.

  CLO4: Cultivate a team-based cross-cultural collaborative research process.

  CLO5: Hands-on exploration of Japan’s design innovations in wood and rich cultural heritage of wood craft..

• HSAP-860B Tokyo Cultural Immersion (3 H&S Credits)

  COURSE DESCRIPTION:

  Educational research trips and immersive cultural experiences will expose students to a diverse range of perspectives on Tokyo’s contemporary arts and design, as well as Japanese cultural heritage and craftsmanship. Learn from ArtCenter Faculty Penny Herscovitch & Dan Gottlieb—who bring 20 years of experience instructing cultural immersion and educational research in Japan—as well as curated guest presentations, workshops and demonstrations by Tama Art University faculty & industry professionals. In this course, students will create their own documentation to tell the story and communicate the depth of these cultural experiences. Final outcomes may range from sketchbook documentation, to a digital presentation, to a series of short video pieces.

  LEARNING OUTCOMES

  CLO1: Gain understanding of Tokyo’s diverse design industry, arts & architecture through immersive experiences and educational research trips.

  CLO2: Experience Japan’s unique design, aesthetics & culture from a range of perspectives through workshops & guest presentations.

  CLO3: Gain opportunities to connect with and learn from industry professionals.

  CLO4: Explore a range of creative approaches to documentation.

  CLO5: Hone professional presentation skills.

• SAP-860 A,B,C Nature of Wood Japan Studio (9 Studio Credits)

  COURSE DESCRIPTION:

  Students will collaborate on international, cross-disciplinary teams and explore globally relevant design opportunities in an international setting around the “Nature of Wood” theme. Inspired by field research into Japan’s deep spirit and craft of wood, explore design that embraces the senses. How might emotional design bring the healing qualities of wood to modern life? Design outcomes may range from products & home goods, to lighting & furnishings, to experiences, spaces and environments. Students will build full-size prototype(s) and/or spatial model(s), and well as creating renderings and visuals. Thus, this class requires strong physical fabrication skills, as well as  Rhino and/or SolidWorks.

  LEARNING OUTCOMES

  CLO1: Research globally relevant design opportunities in new international & cross-cultural contexts.

  CLO2: Synthesize field research, cultural experiences and craft heritage to define insights and opportunities to drive design.

  CLO3: Generate ideas and articulate a compelling design story around the “Nature of Wood” theme

  CLO4: Craft a refined design outcome to create an emotive experience for your audience.

  CLO5: Hone professionalism and presentation skills by engaging with international partners, designers, craftspeople and organizations. 

  CLO6: Cultivate cross-cultural collaborative design process, working in a team while developing personal voice as a designer. 

ArtCenter and Tama students in Japan, Fall 2022

RESEARCH TRIP

Educational field research in and around Tokyo, Hida Takayama, and Kyoto will instruct students in research methods to explore: 

• Japan’s cutting edge design, from inspiring galleries and museums to products and architecture

• Behind-the-scenes visits to design studios, wood manufacturers, and traditional crafts workshops

• Natural environments, traditional towns, and cultural world-heritage sites

REMAINDER OF THE TERM WITH ARTCENTER FACULTY IN COLLABORATION WITH TAMA ART UNIVERSITY:

After an initial research study-tour, the Fall 2026 full term program will be based at Tama Art University’s beautiful campus in Hachioji, Western Tokyo, with access to Tama’s shops, digital fab lab, materials lab, and award-winning library.