Studio Art: In Depth

A group of Visual Arts Students stand in a studio with their backs to the cameras working on a canvas.

Studio Art students receive high-quality instruction in hands-on, studio-based practices, gaining experience across a broad range of disciplines, including drawing, painting, photography, digital media, sound, sculpture and interdisciplinary approaches. Our award-winning faculty are committed to supporting your academic success, creative growth and professional development through learner-centered teaching and individualized mentorship. You will work in art studios brimming with natural light on the fourth and fifth floors of the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, formerly the Canada Hair Cloth Factory. Studio Art students will take courses in the History of Art and Visual Culture as part of their degree and will gain solid grounding in art history, visual culture and critical contexts.

Each new academic year in the Department of Visual Arts brings fresh and inspiring opportunities to participate in exhibitions, attend workshops and guest lectures and take part in events that will expand your skills, enrich your creative practice and strengthen your connections within the arts community.

Degrees Offered

Why a Degree in Studio Art?

Develop your artistic skills, learn new techniques and technologies and develop your professional practice. Courses offered include painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, media and digital art.

Our students graduate with the transferable skills that are in high demand in the marketplace. These skills include:

Hands-on experience in a wide range of techniques and technologies
Critical thinking
Writing, research and communication skills
Ability to market and promote your work as a professional artist

Applying to the Studio Arts Program

Portfolios are a required for students applying to Studio Art and to Concurrent Education Intermediate/Senior (Studio Art Major). Portfolio submissions must be received by February 1 for applications to studies beginning the following year.

For portfolio requirements, please click here.

Did you know?

About half of all Ontario artists (47 per cent) are self-employed, and many of our graduates go on to establish their own professional practice as artists (Statistics Canada).