Kadenze went live on June 16, launching an online learning platform purpose-built for the arts and creative technologies. Based in Valencia, Calif., the start-up pairs world-class instructors with a digital platform specifically created to support an online arts-based curriculum.

Open to learners anywhere in the world, Kadenze launches in partnership with creative arts departments at leading universities and institutions, including: Princeton University, Stanford University, California Institute of the Arts, UCLA, California College of the Arts, Emily Carr University of Art and Design and Goldsmiths University of London. (Full list below.)

“We could not be more proud of Kadenze,” said CalArts President Steven Lavine. “With faculty member and co-founder Ajay Kapur serving as CEO and 60% of the staff composed of alumni, this dynamic new enterprise brilliantly exemplifies the power of CalArts experimental ethos.”

Kadenze fills a void in the online education world, as there have been no arts-focused platforms that deliver a comprehensive educational experience or assess students’ work properly. Kadenze’s technology platform enables media-rich lessons and assignment submissions, including algorithms to analyze and measure students’ performance and progress as they complete courses.

Kadenze allows students to choose the option that best fits their needs:

* Free: Enroll in any available course, watch video lectures and participate in forums;

* Premium: Submit assignments, receive grades, build and share portfolio and resume, receive discounts in Kadenze bookstore, take courses for credit, and more;

* Credit: Take courses for college credit;

Select Kadenze courses are offered for college credit at a cost that allows access to students around the world. At launch, nearly half the courses in the Kadenze catalog can be taken for credit.

“Many students who dream of studying creative arts and technology face crippling financial barriers, or simply don’t have access to educational opportunities,” said Dr. Ajay Kapur, Ph.D, CEO and co-founder of Kadenze Inc. “Whether they are trying to prepare for college, return to school, or simply expand their education, I believe that everyone should have access to the highest quality education available. Together with our strong academic partners, we strive to make that access a reality.”

Along with Dr. Kapur, Kadenze co-founders include faculty of CalArts Music Technology Interaction, Intelligence & Design (MTIID) program Jordan Hochenbaum and Owen Vallis. “Given the large number of CalArts faculty and graduates deeply involved with the founding and launch of Kadenze, in many ways the company itself was borne out of the visionary thinking and creative problem solving that we foster at the Institute,” said CalArts Provost Jeannene Przyblyski. “Ajay Kapur and his team are pushing online learning to new levels by fully supporting arts education in a digital environment, giving teachers and students the tools they need to activate global learning communities as creative communities.”

Kadenze was conceived by passionate arts and creative technology educators—Kapur and his former Princeton professor Perry R. Cook, Ph.D. who now serves as Executive Vice President of Kadenze Inc. In 2012, Kapur and Cook were awarded a National Science Foundation grant to study methods of teaching computer science to non-programmers, specifically art students. Using available online learning platforms, they offered a course that garnered 45,000 enrolled students. This process made it clear to them that there are limited options for these types of courses, and serious challenges involved in effectively measuring students’ work.

“Kadenze offers students the opportunity to learn from the best and brightest in arts-focused education. We view ourselves as a bridge, and our goal is to connect students and institutions in a way that elevates everyone,” said Dr. Cook. “We have worked hard to execute on our specific vision, and today we are honored to share Kadenze.com with the world.”

[Read more] about Kadenze in Inside Higher Education.

About Kadenze Inc.

Kadenze Inc. is an education technology company built to address the needs of students and faculty in the arts and creative technology. Kadenze delivers a first-of-its kind creative arts education, providing access to the highest quality online interactive courses and an engaged network of schools, instructors, and students.

Founded in 2013 by CalArts faculty Ajay Kapur, Ph.D., Jordan Hochenbaum, Ph.D, Owen Vallis, Ph.D. along with Perry Cook, Ph.D. and Ashok Ahuja, Kadenze and its supporting technologies are the product of extensive academic experience and research. The founding and executive team is augmented by others with deep experience in arts technology education, machine learning, and with business and serial entrepreneurial expertise.

Kadenze launches in partnership with creative arts departments at leading universities and institutions, including: Princeton University, Stanford University, California Institute of the Arts, UCLA, Otis College of Art and Design, California College of the Arts, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Goldsmiths University of London, Cornish College of the Arts, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, University of Miami, Seoul Institute of the Arts, University of Saint Joseph in Macau, University College Cork in Ireland, National University of Singapore, and the Processing Foundation.

To learn more, visit www.kadenze.com. Kadenze is a trademark of Kadenze Inc.