Visual Arts, Diploma

This comprehensive, hands-on Visual Arts program can prepare you for a career in, graphic design, pottery, sculpture, filmmaking & animation, photography, drawing & painting, printmaking and more.

VISARTS pottery classroom

Program at a glance

Credential

Diploma

Work experience

Co-op / internship

Study options

Full-time or part-time

Open to International

Yes

Area of study

Arts & Humanities

Length

2 years full-time, part-time options available

Rethink your classroom

Spend a semester or two abroad and earn Camosun credits.
Study abroad

We help you shape your creative future

Explore the significance of art in relation to historical and contemporary cultures. This studio immersion program offers you a comprehensive education in visual arts. The program provides a foundation of exploration and design intended to promote inquiry, experimentation, and critical awareness.

Blend disciplines, theory and studio time

You will learn a wide variety of disciplines including: graphic design, ceramics, sculpture, performance art, animation, analogue & digital photography, drawing, painting, printmaking, video and film, art history, visual culture, art theory, professional practice. Learn collaboratively and foster community through integration of studio and theoretical credit courses that will lead to a Diploma in Visual Arts with University transfer towards a BFA. Our instructors are professional artists who produce experiential learning environments supported by qualified technologists who create space to promote the success of diverse learners.

After graduation

You will have a portfolio that represents your competence and achievement for institutes of advanced study, granting agencies, applications (such as residencies and public art competitions), prospective clients, and employers.

Your Visual Arts diploma can open doors to employment opportunities, and further education. Past graduates have successfully transferred into third-year studies at universities and art colleges, and have successful art showings around the globe.

Part-time studies in Visual Arts

While designed as a full-time diploma program, part-time completion is fully supported. Additionally, many of our courses can be taken individually as electives through the University Transfer program.

Where can you work?

As a graduate of the Visual Arts program you will leave with broad knowledge, skills and abilities suitable to work in various fields. Our graduates have many roles, including:

  • self-employed practicing artist
  • designer (industrial, interior, graphic, gaming, web, fashion, textile, narrative etc)
  • animator & special effects
  • art teacher & professor
  • illustrator
  • scenographer (set designer)
  • storyboard artist
  • concept artist
  • art therapist
  • hair stylist
  • museum and gallery personnel
  • printmaker
  • art historian & curator
  • filmmakers and film technician; assistant director
  • ceramicist
  • photographer
  • photo technician
  • ornamental iron work
  • landscape designer
  • fine furnishing

Related links

What you'll learn

Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.

    Chelsea Vignola, 2018

    Program outline

    For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.

    Program Outline

    What to expect

    The Visual Arts program is located at the Lansdowne campus (land acknowledgement seek consultation). Our studios are designed and equipped for experiential making and exploration of materials. In our classrooms, we promote inquiry through discussion, critical awareness, language, and openness of mind. Throughout the semester, we host a Visiting Artist Lecture Series providing students and the community an opportunity to engage and learn from a diverse range of professional artists, curators, and designers.

    Year 1

    Your first year includes two semesters (September to April) and includes courses in drawing, printmaking, painting, graphic design, ceramics, sculpture, 3D design, video, Modern art history, and photography.

    Year 2

    When you return in September for your second year, you will build on your foundation knowledge to develop communication and practical skills in animation, performance art, photography, video, filmmaking and art theory.

      Tuition and fees

      Effective from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023

      Estimated tuition

      Tuition estimates are for the entire program.

      Visual Arts, Diploma

      $7,390 (domestic)
      $31,080 (international)

      Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.

      For International students visit: International Tuition & Fees.

      Student fees

      In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees.

      Financial assistance

      You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.

      Financial Aid & Awards 

      Curriculum & courses

      Admission requirements

      Ready to get started? Get your application in for the September intake.

      When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the following admission requirements.

      Tip: Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

      One of:

      And all of:

      Note:

      • Acceptance of transfer students from other post-secondary art programs into 2nd year is at the approval of the department.

      For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.

      Apply today

      Missing admission requirements?

      Take an assessment or upgrade with us.

      Contact us

      If you have admissions questions contact us today!

      If you have questions about what you can expect to learn in your classes contact artsci@camosun.ca or the program chair. 

      Faculty/staff profile

      Brad Muir

      Brad Muir (d.bradley muir)

      Chair, Visual Arts

      d.bradley muir is an artist whose practice focuses on contemporary photography, sculpture and installation. He holds a BFA with distinction from Conco ...

      Read more

      Faculty/staff profile

      John Boehme

      John Boehme

      Instructor, Visual Arts

      John G. Boehme currently teaches a range of classes and subjects such as all aspects of Ceramics, Sculpture, Painting, Performance Art together with D ...

      Read more

      Faculty/staff profile

      Joseph Hoh

      Joseph Hoh

      Instructor, Visual Arts

      Joseph's experience has been wide and varied since emigrating to Canada from Malaysia. His BFA (Honours) is from Windsor and MFA from the University o ...

      Read more

      Faculty/staff profile

      Michael McLean

      Michael McLean

      Lab Technologist, Visual Arts

      Originally from Lethbridge Alberta, Mike Andrew McLean holds a BFA in Media Arts from NSCAD University, and an MFA from the University of Victoria. Mc ...

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      Faculty/staff profile

      Brenda Petays

      Brenda Petays

      Instructor, Visual Arts

      Brenda is an interdisciplinary artist working in drawing, photography and performance; she explores identity and memory in subjective, social and poli ...

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      Faculty/staff profile

      Faro Annie Sullivan

      Faro Annie Sullivan

      Lab Technologist, Visual Arts

      Faro Annie Sullivan holds an Honours BA in Folklore from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her poetry and non-fiction have been published in litera ...

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      Faculty/staff profile

      Nancy Yakimoski

      Nancy Yakimoski

      Instructor, Visual Arts

      Nancy Yakimoski completed a BA Honours (Art & Art History), BA Certificate (English Literature), Masters (History in Art) and began her PhD in art ...

      Read more

      Audie Murray, 2016

      Learn more

      For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar. 

      Contact information

      School of Arts & Science

      Campus location

      Fisher 104

      Location link

      Lansdowne Campus

      250-370-3298

      artsci@camosun.ca

       

      International students please contact Camosun International