Student life
Students come to KCAI from nearly every state and several foreign countries, each with talent and a desire to make a life in art. They graduate with the polish, discipline and knowledge of professional practices to take advantage of the many career opportunities available to them or to enter challenging graduate programs.
Required forms
Student handbook acknowledgement
WebReg for current students
If you are a current KCAI student and would like to take advantage of registering for classes online, please visit Web Reg. You will need your KCAI ID number and PIN number. If you do not have a PIN number, contact the Academic Resource Center at 816-802-3371.
Student Living Center
On-campus housing
We're proud to offer a premier living environment that will no doubt enhance your college experience. KCAI’s Student Living Center is home to approximately 180 students. Students who call the Living Center “home” enjoy the benefits of living and learning at the heart of the campus. All rooms feature telephone jacks, computer connections to the campus network and the Internet and furnishings designed for the building. The building also features student lounges on each floor, a community television lounge, fitness room, limited access to entry and exit doors, as well as on site security from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily. Services for residents include vending areas, laundry rooms, an art supply store, a dining center, movie and game check out, and other facilities tailored to the needs of residents.
In addition to these features and services, the Living Center offers academic and social programming. Programs may include outings to local sporting events, museums, plays, and Kansas City attractions, as well as a monthly wellness series designed to help students acclimate to college life.
A room in the Student Living Center
All freshmen must fulfill a two-semester contract with the Living Center. The only exceptions to this policy are freshmen over 21 years of age, freshmen who missed the contract priority deadline if the Living Center is filled to capacity, transfer students or residents who will reside with their parents (within a 50 mile radius) during their freshman year. Limited triple and double occupancy rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents are provided a board plan of 19 meals per week.
To reach the Living Center, please call 816-802-3397 or e-mail housing@kcai.edu.
Learn more about the Student Living Center.
On-campus dining
KCAI offers a variety of dining options. The cafeteria is located on the first floor of the Student Living Center in the north tower. Each resident is automatically enrolled in the 19 meal-per-week plan. Faculty, staff and students who live off campus also are welcome to dine in the cafeteria. The cafeteria is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the week and brunch and dinner during the weekend. Café Nerman is located on the first floor of Vanderslice Hall. Serving a wide variety of coffee and espresso drinks, pastries, sandwiches and other snacks, Café Nerman is a popular spot to grab a quick bite or catch up with friends over coffee.
Learn more about on-campus dining.
Off-campus housing
KCAI owns the Chequers Apartments, three blocks from KCAI, available for upper-class students. The City of Kansas City has many housing possibilities at reasonable cost as well. The immediate neighborhood, known as Southmoreland, accommodates about 35 percent of the student body. Other students live in the nearby areas known as Westport, Valentine, West Plaza, Plaza-Brush Creek, Hyde Park, and Roanoke. The Student Life office assists students in providing off-campus housing information.
Off-campus residents can purchase a 5- or 10-meals-per-week plan.
Studios are accessible 18 hours each day. Students are expected to work on studio projects on campus and can work until studios close at 1 a.m.
Learn more about off-campus housing
Campus safety
Learn more about safety on campus
Academic Resource Center
All KCAI students are invited to take advantage of services provided by the Academic Resource Center, (ARC). The ARC is located on the second floor of the Jannes Library and Learning Center. ARC services are aimed at enhancing a student's experience throughout her or his academic career at the Kansas City Art Institute. ARC staff members take a holistic approach and are committed to the educational, personal and evolving professional development of all students at KCAI.
The ARC and Career Services computer lab is equipped with Macintosh computers with Microsoft Office software as well as design programs and Internet access and printing upon request.
Staff are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students are welcome to drop in or phone 816-802-3371 to make an appointment.
Academic advising
Academic support services
Personal counseling
Career Services
Community Arts and Service Learning
Individual Educational Opportunities
The Academic Resource Center is the starting point for several options to individualize the KCAI learning experience, including directed studies and educational exchanges.
Directed Studies
Directed studies provide students the opportunity to craft a specialized learning experience with KCAI faculty. The directed study is intended to help students hone specific skills or allow them to explore an educational interest in depth.
Learn how to apply for a directed study (pdf).
Exchange and international programs
The Academic Resource Center also houses exchange programs and international student services. Our exchange programs allow students to access classes and experiences not available on the KCAI campus. The international student services enhance the adjustment and success of our international students.
Local college exchange
Semester exchange
New York Studio Program and blog
The Kansas City Art Institute participates in the New York Studio Program offered through the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design.
In 2008, Elysia Contreras from KCAI was chosen to participate in the program. She describes her experience, living and learning in Brooklyn, in her New York Studio Program blog.
Third and fourth year students or graduate students enrolled in AICAD college and majoring in fine arts, related visual arts, photography, graphic arts or design are eligible to apply, if the college itself is not located in New York, if the student's application is approved by the college and if the college selects the student to participate.
Introduced nearly 25 years ago, the program moved in fall 2007 to the DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) district of Brooklyn, N.Y., on the East River in view of the Brooklyn Bridge looking over to Manhattan. The new building is a large renovated space full of arts organizations at 20 Jay St.
More information about the program is available on the AICAD Web site.
Campus Technology and academic computing
KCAI recognizes the importance of technology as a part of the educational experience. Campus Technology works closely with academic departments to develop recommendations and requirements for students who purchase computers for use in their academic careers. The following points should assist students and parents in making decisions regarding the purchase of computers. Learn more about Apple Computer resources and laptop policies.