The Professional Artists Lab is a new project within the Film Studies Department and the Media Arts and Technology Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

The Professional Artists Lab is a dynamic artistic laboratory in which professional actors, directors, writers and producers create and develop new works in film, theatre, television, radio and multi-media performance. Simultaneously, the Lab aims to give students exposure to, and possible opportunities to work alongside of, these active professionals.

The Founder/Director of the Lab is Nancy Kawalek, Studio Professor in the Department of Film Studies and the Media Arts and Technology Program at the University of California. The Lab's Honorary Board consists thus far of Libby Appel, artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival; eminent Oscar-winning actor, Dame Judi Dench; Tony-award winning director and writer, Frank Galati; 2000 Nobel Laureate, Dr. Alan Heeger; distinguished award-winning actor, Sir Derek Jacobi; and Oscar-winning cinematographer, Haskell Wexler.

The Lab is set up to develop projects of all kinds; participation ranges from professional artists merely talking informally about their various work experiences to intense collaborative efforts resulting in productions. The depth of participation differs according to the desires of the artists, and may vary in length from a few hours to a day, to a week, or longer.