Please see below for key information related to this year's Institute and answers to some of the questions we anticipate fielding in advance! For other questions, concerns, or clarifications, please reach out to us through our contact form or write to Sabrina Klein, Director of Artistic Literacy at Cal Performances: sklein@calperformances.org.
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Is there a tuition or fee for attending the Institute? +
No! Thanks to generous support, attendance at the 2019 Institute is completely free to all registrants and includes access to all scheduled events and sessions.
Is it necessary to attend all three days of the institute? +
Yes. Because our events are scaffolded to provide the greatest depth of connection between participants and in response to each session, we strongly encourage you only to register if you feel able and willing to attend all sessions. While we would not want to turn away anyone who would feel nurtured by attending just one or two days or sessions, the Institute is designed for immersive learning.
Will meals be provided? +
You will be on your own for most meals, but we will be providing light refreshments at some events and the option of purchasing a catered lunch on Thursday and Friday. If you choose the catered lunch option, be sure to indicate your dietary preferences as you fill out your online registration form. Lunch payments will be collected in cash or by check during the institute itself, at our registration desk.
We will also be providing a list of local eateries and other social venues for those who feel like wandering!
Are there scholarships available for transportation and lodging? +
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer funding for travel or lodging at this time. However, we encourage those with institutional affiliations to seek financial support and can provide registration and attendance documentation as necessary.
Can you recommend places to stay in Berkeley? +
Yes! Here is a list of places to stay within short walking distance of campus and Cal Performances:
Berkeley City Club
Bancroft Hotel
Graduate Berkeley
Rose Garden Inn
Hotel Shattuck Plaza (in Downtown Berkeley, right by BART)
SenS Hotel and Bistro (in North Berkeley, a 15 minute walk away)
As all of these locations can be a bit pricey, however, we also recommend looking into alternate lodging options like Airbnb—particularly if you are traveling to us on a limited budget. A number of cheaper motel and hotel options can be found along University Avenue, though these are probably best if you'll have a car or will feel comfortable both using public transportation and walking some distance.
Getting to Campus
By BART
If you'll be traveling via BART (especially coming from San Francisco or Oakland Airport), the key thing to know is that Downtown Berkeley can only be reached through the Richmond line. This may mean transferring to a Richmond-bound train at 19th Street Station in Oakland. Visit bart.gov for complete schedules and real time departures.
Once you've arrived in Downtown Berkeley, exit at Center Street and Shattuck Avenue. Walk one block east on Center Street to the foot of campus on Oxford Street, then turn right on Oxford until Bancroft Way. Turn left on Bancroft and walk towards Telegraph Avenue for Zellerbach Hall and the Zellerbach Playhouse (on your left). You can also reach these buildings by cutting through campus—just be sure to consult the campus map.
By Car
If you'll be traveling from Interstate 80 (San Francisco, Oakland, Marin), we recommend taking the University Avenue exit. Continue east on University Avenue approximately 1.5 miles to Oxford Street. Turn right on Oxford Street, pass Bancroft Way, and turn left on Durant Avenue.
If you'll be traveling from Highway 24, take the Telegraph Avenue exit. Turn right onto Telegraph Avenue and continue north approximately 2 miles to Bancroft Way.
For a list of nearby parking garages and additional transportation options, please visit the Cal Performances "Getting Here" page.