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.
All university clubs are open to all Academy of Art University students.
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 academyart@aias.org
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)
ArtU Game Club
ArtU Game Club is about making friends, hanging out, playing games, and studying together.
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: btfr@academyart.edu
Instagram: www.instagram.com/beyondthefrontrow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondtheFrontRow
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/beyondthefrontrow
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13629581/
Club leadership: Bea Pritchard (President), Mylah Bawani (Graphic Design), Pranishi Agrawal (Event Coordinator), Anudari “Anikka” Tuvshinyta (Social Media Coordinator), Lindsey Londono (Vice President/Volunteer Coordinator), Kendra Rae (Student Presidential Advisor and Board Advisor)
The Design Collective
Design is everywhere, and The Design Collective (TDC) brings students together to explore its limitless possibilities. Our club fosters a space where designers, artists, and creatives collaborate, experiment, and push boundaries. Through workshops, industry talks, and creative challenges, we help students sharpen their skills and expand their knowledge.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedesigncollective8
Discord: https://discord.gg/Eu3MXJdb
The Fine Art Club
Fine Art Club is a welcoming space for artists to explore, create, and connect. Through group study, field trips, and showcases, members share inspiration, develop their skills, and celebrate each other’s work. Perfect for artists of all levels!
Contact: fineartclub@academyart.edu
Instagram: www.instagram.com/fineart_club_aau
Discord: https://discord.gg/8jwwaC6MTj
Club leadership: Renee Tao (president), JunJie Tang (PR), Hrishita Mehra (Creative Direction Manager), Jaipetch Vimuttinunt, – Ryuta Kawamoto (Event Coordinator)
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.
Contact: iadclub@academyart.edu
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), Madison Leighty (Membership Chair)
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: ksa@academyart.edu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aau_ksa
Club leadership: Hansoo Kim, Yuchan Lee, Seheon Park, Hyungwon Ko, Yewon Kim
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.
Contact: legendsofvisualeffects@academyart.edu
Discord: https://discord.gg/rPrurjsYx6
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendsofvisualeffects/
Club leadership: Stephanie Akers, Jamil Washington, Janae Alana Simpson, Nikhita Chandrashekar, Christa Chandler
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: nomas@academyart.edu
Discord: https://discord.gg/P6Pn4RQYru
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomasaau/
Club leadership: President: Kim Ebueng, Co-President: Anna Jo, Vice President/ Event Organizer: Giewel David, Secretary: Moe Chatman
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: outloud@academyart.edu
Instagram: www.instagram.com/artuoutloud/
Discord: https://discord.gg/gbvuj7Sa7N
Club leadership: Elena DeLuise, Zoe Arnold, Emily Canion, Julisa Garcia
Photography Club
The Photography Club’s mission is to foster community amongst photography majors, provide a virtual bridge between on-site and online students, and hold a space for collaboration and communication outside of normal class discussions. Initially, we will hold live editing sessions. Editing is a complex and time-consuming task that is ideal for a collaborative online environment, where challenges can be bounced off others and real-time critiques can help improve our work.
Contact: photographyclub@academyart.edu
Discord: https://discord.gg/waTsyUzeu2
Club leadership: Christopher Crowhurst, Cassie Margotti
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.
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/TeaTimeAnimation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teatimeanimation
Discord: https://discord.gg/xzynJkb3k7
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: visionaries@academyart.edu
Discord: https://discord.gg/pnJh79bMvc
Club leadership: Sierra Ka’iulani (president), Christian Robinson (VP, Discord Lead), AJ Trost (asset manager/logistics coordinator), Maya Ramsey (operations coordinator), Divjot Singh (general council)
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: WIA@academyart.edu
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/WIA_ArtU
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wia_artu
Mailing list: https://forms.office.com/r/A4SS1uVZpY
Club leadership: Laura Houck, Mary Kiss
