Since 1926, Alberta University of the Arts, AUArts (formerly ACAD) has inspired thousands of students to pursue their dreams.
As Alberta's only dedicated art, craft and design university, we're proud to play an important role in nurturing creativity and driving innovation in our province and around the world. From our academic programs to grass-roots community partnerships, there's a lot going on at AUArts -- we hope you'll join us.
Our degree programs are studio-based, which means hands-on. In our studios you'll explore multiple media, applying new techniques and immersing yourself in the practice and culture of art and design. You'll have access to a wide range of unique opportunities, including a strong international exchange program and a robust scholarship and awards offering for incoming students. Most importantly, with a 1:15 faculty-to-student ratio, our average studio class is kept to 15 students so you'll receive individual, personal attention from a faculty made up of a diverse group of over 130 professional practicing artists, designers and scholars.
Want to know more? Visit auarts.ca for more info, or book a tour to come see it for yourself at 403.284.7617, myfuture@auarts.ca. Don't miss any of the important deadlines, start your application process online today!
Alberta University of the Arts is a leading centre for education and research, and a catalyst for creative inquiry and cultural development. Located in Calgary and overlooking the downtown core, AUArts provides a unique undergraduate experience for students in fine art, design and new media -- an experience set in the context of relevant, complementary liberal studies and practical theory.
AUArts offers two bachelor degrees: a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Design. The Bachelor of Design offers a major in Visual Communication Design with two streams in Illustration and Character Design and another in Graphic Design and Advertising. The Bachelor of Fine Arts offers a major in Studio Art with concentrations in Ceramics, Drawing, Fibre, Glass, Jewellery and Metals, Media Arts, Object Design and Fabrication, Painting, Print Media and Sculpture. AUArts offers a rigorous studio program which produces inventive thinkers, visually acute learners and leading problem solvers for today’s creative economy.
While AU Arts does not operate a residence, students may apply to live in residence on the SAIT Campus adjacent to AU Arts. Further information about the SAIT residence may be obtained from the SAIT Web site or residence@sait.ca.
The Hub is designated off-campus student housing with furnished suites, underground parking and you can bring your pets! Students can also consider other public providers such as Avenue Living, Boardwalk, Mainstreet as well as search engines such as RentFaster.
At the beginning of each semester, Student Services provides a New Student Orientation. During orientation, students have the opportunity to meet fellow students, tour campus and meet key staff and support services. Personal and career counselling, peer mentoring, study abroad opportunities, study skills and tutoring assistance is available to all students.
AUArts Career Services Centre (CSC) aims to help students understand the variety of career options and provide guidance in planning the best path to a successful career. The CSC plays a fundamental role in avoiding greater uncertainties and increasing students' potential for success. Throughout the first year of studies, planning must be carefully and strategically built to ensure that students are prepared to enter the job market and that their interests and values align with the job purpose.
AUArts students can participate in a variety of competitive sports and physical activities at the SAIT Gym. The SAIT Gym coordinates intramural sports and open recreational activities, as well as a full range of activity classes and sports clubs. AUArts athletes may also be eligible to compete on SAIT intercollegiate sports teams.
Through the AUArts Students' Association, students have opportunities to form clubs in areas of interest. The SAIT Campus Centre also coordinates recreation and sports clubs.
General access to computing is available to the global AUArts community. A variety of computer stations and devices are available, including flatbed scanning and network laser printing, as well as access to Print Shop output services. All stations have a word processor and browser, and most have recent version software applications. The AUArts campus is entirely wireless.
Art is everywhere at AUArts. Exhibitions take place throughout the building: in studios, project rooms, major-specific gallery sites, and the College's two publicly accessible galleries. The Illingworth Kerr Gallery (IKG) has an important mandate: to serve AUArts students, faculty and staff and the wider community of Calgary and Alberta. The IKG, as a vital and complimentary component to the public and private gallery network, is an important part of the practice of all AUArts students. The student run Marion Nicoll Gallery (MNG) creates a unique context for education and experimentation among students and provides a link between educational and professional environments, fostering critical dialogue and public exhibition. Modeled after a public not-for-profit gallery, it provides students with career developing experience as administrators, jurors and submitting artists.
AUArts aims to work collaboratively and innovatively with the campus community to create an accessible, equitable, and supportive learning environment for all students. Our Accessibility Services office is open to both current and future students, and all students are encouraged to register early. To establish accommodations in the classroom, students will meet with a member of the office to discuss modifications to course expectations while maintaining the academic integrity of the course.
AUArts students have free access to services and facilities at the SAIT Campus.
The University has an active student exchange program and is a member of the international Student Mobility program. Both offer students an opportunity to spend their third year studying at other art colleges and institutions in North America, Europe, or Australia. During their third year, students have an opportunity to study for one or two semesters at a participating institution while paying normal AU Arts fees. Students may also apply to participate in a wide variety of scholarship supported travel/study opportunities including access the New York Studio Program, the Yale Summer School, Corning Museum of Glass, Pichuk Glass School, Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and the School of Visual Arts (SVA).
The best time to see the University at work is during Open House and Portfolio Days, however weekly campus tours are available and can be scheduled from the "Campus Tours and Events" page on the AUArts website, or by emailing myfuture@auarts.ca.