Program at a glance
Credential
Diploma
Area of Study
Arts & Humanities
Study options
Full-time
Part-time
Work experience
None
Open to International
Yes
Length
2 years full-time, part-time options available
At a glance image
We help you shape your creative future
Explore the significance of art in relation to historical and contemporary cultures. 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. 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
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.
Boiling Point | Visual Arts graduation exhibition
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.
Artist residencies
As a Visual Arts student, you'll benefit from the presence of alumni artists on campus through the Alumni Residency program. This program provides the time and space for an alum artist to research new ideas, experiment with different techniques and means of production while connecting and meeting with current students in the college and local committee.
Camosun also offers the Van den Brink Residency program to a new or recent graduate of the Visual Arts program who is strongly self-motivated, shows creativity and fosters community spirit.
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.
Program outline
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.
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
Estimated tuition fees
Effective from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023
Visual Arts, Diploma
$7,390* (domestic)
$31,080** (international)
*Figure is approximate. Tuition estimate is for the entire program based on 5 academic courses for 4 terms. Tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.
**International tuition estimate is based on 5 academic courses for 4 terms.
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.
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:
- C in English 12
- C in English 12 Camosun Alternative
And all of:
- Mandatory information session is required.
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.
Missing admission requirements?
Take an assessment or upgrade with us.
Our teaching staff
Camosun College is fiercely proud of the excellent quality of its instruction. Our teaching staff are experienced, inspiring and supportive of our students’ individual journeys.
Faculty/staff profile
Brad Muir (d.bradley muir)
Chair, Visual Arts
Faculty/staff profile
John Boehme
Instructor, Visual Arts
Faculty/staff profile
Joseph Hoh
Instructor, Visual Arts
Faculty/staff profile
Michael McLean
Lab Technologist, Visual Arts
Faculty/staff profile
Brenda Petays
Instructor, Visual Arts
Faculty/staff profile
Faro Annie Sullivan
Lab Technologist, Visual Arts
Faculty/staff profile
Nancy Yakimoski
Instructor, Visual Arts
Learn more
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.
Contact information
Brad Muir, Department Chair
We want to hear from you!
Campus location
Camosun College Lansdowne
School of Arts & Science
3100 Foul Bay Rd
Victoria BC V8P 5J2
Young 101B
Location link
International Admissions
International students please contact International Admissions