April 16, 2026

ArtCenter to Present One of the West Coast's Largest Exhibitions of Emerging Artists & Designers at Its Spring 2026 Grad Show

Public Grad Show Exhibition Opens May 2
Following ArtCenter’s Spring 2026 Graduation Ceremony,
Featuring Commencement Speaker
California State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez

Pasadena, CA – ArtCenter College of Design will present the work of more than 330 graduating undergraduate and graduate students at its Spring 2026 Grad Show on Saturday, May 2. Recognized as one of the West Coast’s largest exhibitions of its kind, the free, one-day public event will run from noon to 5 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center.

The exhibition follows two private viewing days for industry and invited guests, as well as the College’s private Spring 2026 Graduation ceremony earlier that morning, with commencement speaker California State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez.

A centerpiece of ArtCenter’s graduation programming and a signature exhibition for the College, the biannual Grad Show represents the culmination of students’ academic journeys and showcases the final results of their creative work. It brings together work from across the College’s disciplines, including fine art, photography, animation, concept design, creative direction, media design, film, game design, illustration, graphic design, interaction design (UX/UI), product design, spatial experience design, furniture and lighting, and transportation design, offering visitors a wide-ranging view of contemporary art and design practices. Presented on a large scale, the one-of-a-kind exhibition introduces visitors to the next generation of artists and designers.

“I am always inspired by the imagination, creativity and professional-level talent on view at Grad Show, and it is especially rewarding to see how much it resonates with visitors and recruiters,” said Karen Hofmann, president of ArtCenter College of Design. “As these graduating students transition from campus studies to careers, this work demonstrates that they are prepared to lead as creatives with ideas that will have real impact on the world around us.”

The morning of Grad Show, ArtCenter will host its Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony as a private, ticketed event at the Pasadena Convention Center.

California State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez will deliver the keynote address. Chair of the California Senate Education Committee and a longtime advocate for higher education, Pérez has championed policies that expand access to college and support student success across the state.

During the ceremony, ArtCenter will confer honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degrees upon the late Alyce de Roulet Williamson, philanthropist, trustee emeritus and founder of ArtCenter100; Phillip Sarofim, trustee, business leader, and founder and CEO of Trousdale Ventures; and Senator Pérez. The Spring 2026 graduation will also include remarks from two graduating students: valedictorian Jakub Zegzulka (Interaction Design), and Student Leadership Award recipient Katie Murphy (Illustration).

While Grad Show offers the public an expansive view of graduating student work, it also serves as a vital part of ArtCenter’s graduation programming, supporting students as they transition from the College into professional practice. In the days preceding the exhibition and commencement ceremony, students engage in portfolio reviews and industry networking opportunities. Prospective students and families are likewise invited to attend guided Grad Show tours with a member of the College’s Admissions team prior to the Saturday public opening.

GRAD SHOW AND GRADUATION DETAILS
Pasadena Convention Center
300 E. Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101

Saturday, May 2 | Noon to 5 p.m.
ArtCenter Spring 2026 Grad Show - Public Exhibition
Pasadena Convention Center | Exhibit Halls A and B
FREE and open to the public, friends and families.
No RSVP required.

Saturday, May 2 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
ArtCenter Spring 2026 Graduation Ceremony
Pasadena Civic Auditorium
By invitation only; ticketed event for friends, family, faculty and staff to celebrate the commencement.

RELATED EVENTS

Friday, April 24 | 5 p.m.*
ArtCenter Spring 2026 Grad Show – Animation Showcase
Ahmanson Auditorium - ArtCenter College of Design (Hillside Campus)
1700 Lida Street, Pasadena CA 91103

Saturday, April 25 | 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.*
ArtCenter Spring 2026 Grad Show – Production Design Showcase
Ahmanson Auditorium - ArtCenter College of Design (Hillside Campus)
1700 Lida Street, Pasadena CA 91103

Friday, May 1 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ArtCenter Spring Grad Show – Prospective and Accepted Student Tours
Pasadena Convention Center | Exhibit Halls A and B
ArtCenter’s Admissions Office will host guided Grad Show tours every hour beginning at 11 a.m., offering prospective and accepted students and families an exclusive opportunity to view graduating student projects. Free tours will be led by an Admissions staff member. RSVP Link

Friday, May 1 | 5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m.*
Days of Future Past – 2026 Grad Art MFA Exhibition
Graduate Art Main Galleries – ArtCenter College of Design (South Campus)
950 South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, California 91105
The art exhibition, featuring work from ArtCenter’s spring graduating class, will remain on view through May 22, 2026.

Friday, May 1 | 7:30 p.m.*
ArtCenter Spring 2026 Grad Show – Film Showcase
Ahmanson Auditorium - ArtCenter College of Design (Hillside Campus)
1700 Lida Street, Pasadena CA 91103

*Note: The Spring 2026 Grad Show Animation and Film showcases are at ArtCenter’s Hillside campus, and the Days of Future Past Exhibition is at ArtCenter’s South campus. Only the Spring 2026 Grad Show is at the Pasadena Convention Center.

For more information on all spring 2026 Graduation activities, view this event page.
To view the College’s virtual Grad Show illustrating the achievements of ArtCenter’s most recent graduating classes, please visit gradshow.artcenter.edu. (The updated site will be accessible starting April 21.)

About ArtCenter College of Design
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education. With a mission to educate, inspire and empower creative and design leadership, the College is renowned for its undergraduate and graduate degree programs spanning industrial design, media and technology, as well as visual and applied arts. With deep industry relationships, state-of-the-art facilities and a strong faculty roster, ArtCenter provides real-world experience aligned with industry needs. Through rigorous, hands-on, practitioner-led instruction, the College prepares students for meaningful creative careers. For nearly 100 years, ArtCenter alumni and faculty have shaped many of the world’s most iconic products, vehicles, campaigns and creative works, leaving a lasting impact across art, design and culture.

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