Clubs & Organizations
Make the most of your university experience and grow, learn, laugh, and run with us. With dozens of clubs and organizations to choose from, you’re sure to find a new creative outlet and build lifelong relationships. Join students with similar interests to discuss ideas, promote your work, form collaborations, and share information. Below are just some examples of our clubs and organizations that have been part of the Academy throughout the years.
American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an independent, nonprofit, student-run organization dedicated to providing unmatched progressive programs, information, and resources on issues critical to architecture and the experience of education. The AIAS aims to promote excellence in architectural education, training, and practice; to foster an appreciation of architecture and related disciplines; to enrich communities in a spirit of collaboration; and to organize students and combine their efforts to advance the art and science of architecture.
Contact: aias@academyart.edu
Link to join (email us first before you pay the fee): https://www.aias.org
Club leadership: Elle Edeker (President), Amanda Estrada (Vice President), Onam Benitez (Secretary), Jeff Luc (Social Media), Saikal Salibaeva (Treasurer)
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
ASLA’s mission is to provide resources and support to students in the department and anyone who wants to learn more about landscape design and architecture.
Contact: aslastudents@academyart.edu
Discord: https://discord.gg/c4TZsJyh6Q
Club leadership: Richard Whitehurst (President), Andrew Normand (Vice President)
ArtU Game Club
ArtU Game Club is about making friends, hanging out, playing games, and studying together.
Contact: artugameclub@gmail.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/5dhVP8Yc8C
Beyond the Front Row (BtFR)
Beyond the Front Row is the official club of the School of Fashion at Academy of Art University, devoted to creating a community of fashion enthusiasts and designers.
Contact: beyondthefrontrow@gmail.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/beyondthefrontrow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondtheFrontRow
Club leadership: Kendra Rae
Black Student Union (BSU)
BSU is a community for students who identify as Black (of African descent), share an interest in issues related to the Black community, and wish to join a proactive club.
Contact: campuslife@academyart.edu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bsu.aau
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArtuBLKUnion
Drama Club
Come join the drama club! Practice your improv skills, learn tips and tricks of stage performance, and even put on a talent show at the end of the semester!
Club leadership: Nicole Zarkis (President)
Glee Club
This club will be dedicated to exploring and performing musical theater pieces, providing students with the opportunity to develop their vocal and theatrical skills while fostering a love for the arts.
Club leadership: Spencer Hanxin Zhang (Director), Chelsea Chia-Chi Hsu (Accompanist)
Interior Architecture & Design Club (IAD)
IAD Club is the official club of the Interior Architecture and Design School at Academy of Art University. Good art inspires; good design motivates! The interior design and architecture club gathers students from the IAD majors (or any other Academy of Art University students interested in Interior Architecture) for instructive and constructive discussion. Additionally, the club aims to create an inviting atmosphere for students with similar interests to connect socially and academically.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iadclub/?hl=en
Discord: https://discord.gg/r5Afhu9v4Z
Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/H9GaKau27orHu9bUM6BO7p
Club leadership: Ambar Soto (Club President), Anushka Joshi (Social media chair), Madison Leighty (Membership Chair), Josnea Duplessis (Club Secretary)
Korean Student Association (KSA)
The AAU Korean Student Association (KSA) is dedicated to fostering a constructive community among Korean and Korean American students. We aim not only to participate in social and networking events together but also to engage with one another, offering mutual support for personal growth. Ultimately, our club’s objective is to establish a collective of designers and artists based on the shared identity of Korean AAU students.
Contact: aauksa82@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aau_ksa
Club leadership: Hansoo Kim, Yuchan Lee, Seheon Park, Hyungwon Ko
Legends of Visual Effects
The club will be showcasing the possibilities of VFX and expose artists to new ways of thinking about visual effects. Our goal is to unite students who are interested in the art of visual effects, help them understand industry-standard procedures, and build a creative environment where we can practice and improve as a team.
Discord: https://discord.gg/rPrurjsYx6
Club leadership: Stephanie Akers, Jamil Washington, Janae Alana Simpson, Travino Cordova
National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS)
NOMASAAU is an organization that strives to foster innovation and collaboration by amplifying the voices of minority architecture students through the celebration of our experiences and excellence.
Contact: nomasaau@gmail.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/P6Pn4RQYru
Club leadership: Kim Estacio Ebueng (President), Joanna Gonzales (Vice President), Giewel Samantha David (Event Coordinator/Treasurer), Bhavik Shah (Event Coordinator/Secretary)
Outloud! LGBTQIA+ Club
Outloud! celebrates individuality and highlights equality at ArtU by promoting tolerance and acceptance. We work toward creating and maintaining safe, inclusive, and equitable environments as a support network for LGBTQIA+ students and alumni.
Contact: campuslife@academyart.edu
Instagram: www.instagram.com/artuoutloud/
Discord: https://discord.gg/gbvuj7Sa7N
Tea Time Animation
The goal of Tea Time is to bring together current students and alumni to discuss industry- and department-related news and concerns, facilitate lectures by guest speakers, nurture communication between the student body and the animation department, and provide opportunities for peer-to-peer critique. We are a networking resource for the student community. We offer the opportunity for you to get more out of your education and learn what it takes to become a driving force in the future of our industry. The level of engagement with the group is up to you; you can attend our weekly meetings. participate in our large online community, or any combination that works for you. You’ll have the opportunity to join face-to-face discussions with industry professionals and get answers to your most pressing questions.
Contact: teatimeanimationclub@gmail.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/TeaTimeAnimation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teatimeanimation
Discord: https://discord.gg/xzynJkb3k7
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TeaTimeAnimation/permalink/2938753526217922/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/teatimeanimates
Website: https://www.teatimeanimation.com/
Club leadership: Robin Burney (President), Khadijah Coleman (Web Master), Shivani Devi Gobalakichenin (Event Coordinator), Abigail “Kay” Best (Tea Time Animation Leader)
Visionaries Concept Art Club
With fundamental concept art principles at its core, Visionaries of Concept Art serves as a Project-based springboard to give life to each member’s unique interests and inspirations within the context of one collective universe/game development project. The club offers a safe space to explore new skills, hone your specialty, learn from industry professionals, and experience the community aspects of studio-style game development with other students. Let’s envision worlds together!
Contact: councilofvisionaries@gmail.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/pnJh79bMvc
Club leadership: Sierra Ka’iulani (President), Divjot Singh (Council Advisor), Christian Robinson (Online Speaker/Discord Lead), Maya Ramsey (Operations Coordinator), AJ Trost (Logistics Coordinator)
Women in Animation (WIA)
The Women in Animation (WIA) Student Chapter at ArtU focuses on encouraging and inspiring equity across all facets of the animation pipeline in the film and video game industries. We support anyone who is interested in pursuing careers in these industries through a wide range of resources. WIA x ArtU is an inclusive and diverse chapter that embraces all majors and identity groups to achieve a common goal of equity for women and other marginalized groups in the entertainment arts. We also gather as a group to share our passion for animation. Please note this club is open to everyone, not just women.
Contact: wiaxartu@gmail.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/WIA_ArtU
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wia_artu
Mailing list: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyWY_I7PgRgVyE5WOiPfoxGSBW-mZ_o5tNXzZNcpMdsKJR5Q/viewform
Club leadership: Laura Houck, Mary Kiss, Sreya Dharmapuri, Mia Fontanilla
