Sheridan offers a visual arts program like no other. We combine rigorous studio-based visual arts training with business and marketing coursework to produce a unique education in “entrepreneurial art.” You’ll develop more than a portfolio; you’ll also develop the professionalism necessary for a successful career in the vibrant visual arts and culture sector. Sheridan is the only visual arts college in Canada where you can:
- Establish your identity as an artist
- Build up a body of mature work
- Understand the business practices of galleries, museums, commercial firms, and other players in the art marketplace
- Learn to manage, market, and administer visual arts products and services
It Starts with the Art
You’ll make art from day one, taking visual arts courses during Year 1 in drawing, painting, sculpture and other disciplines. From there you’ll build progressively toward mastery of an individual visual arts skill. Students can earn a college certificate after one year, a diploma after two years, or an advanced diploma by remaining in the program for a third year.
During the second year (and third year, if applicable), you’ll learn to integrate your studio skills with art-related careers, learning the basics of:
- Artist representation
- Gallery operation
- Online visual art applications (including Web design)
- Public-art projects
- Negotiation with private-sector clients
Our faculty are all practicing pros who know how to create profitable outlets for their visual arts talent. They’re well connected to galleries, studios, agencies, and other players in the Greater Toronto Area’s visual arts scene.
Transfer Opportunities
Visual and Creative Arts graduates can continue their studies at another visual arts college. Sheridan has transfer agreements in place with the Ontario College of Art and Design (BFA), Brock University (BFA), Griffith University (in Brisbane, Australia) (MAVA), and other institutions.
Classes for the visual arts program take place at Sheridan Trafalgar Road Campus in Oakville, Ontario.
You’ll have many opportunities to use your visual arts diploma in the Greater Toronto Area, which is the centre of Canada’s cultural sector. Recent Visual and Creative Arts program graduates have found employment in such roles as:
- Web design
- Digital prepress
- Gallery operation
- Graphic artist/design
- Illustration
- Photographer’s assistant
- Public-art projects
- Signage
- Self employed artist/designer
Visual arts and culture sector professionals are often self-employed, and this program will help prepare graduates to open their own studios or businesses.
Graduates can also continue their formal training in a variety of arts programs at Sheridan, or in other arts programs with our university and college partners.
Program Eligibility
Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, including these required courses:
- One English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or ENG4U)
or
- Mature student status. (See “Admissions” section for details)
Applicant Selection
Eligible applicants are selected on the basis of their previous academic achievement (the average of their six highest senior-level credits, including required courses).
Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements for this program will be assessed and advised individually and may be considered for other, related programs
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
|
VISUAL AND CREATIVE ARTS DIPLOMA
TERM 1 |
|
| DESN 12719 |
Introduction to 2D Design |
3 |
| DESN15039 |
Introduction to 3D Design |
3 |
| ARTS 10702 |
Introduction to Drawing |
3 |
| DESN 19667 |
Introduction to Drawing Systems |
3 |
| ARTS14636 |
Introduction to Colour Theory |
3 |
| COMM 19999 |
Essential Communication Skills |
3 |
| Total: |
|
18 |
|
|
|
| TERM 2 |
|
|
| DESN 18215 |
2D Design |
3 |
| DESN 18999 |
3D Design |
3 |
| ARTS 14219 |
Drawing |
3 |
| DESN 19697 |
Drawing Systems |
3 |
| ARTS 15976 |
Introduction to Painting |
3 |
| GNED General |
Education Elective |
3 |
| Total: |
|
18 |
|
|
|
| TERM 3 |
|
|
| ARTS 20330 |
Interpretive Drawing or |
3 |
| ARTS 25142 |
Figurative Drawing |
3 |
| DESN 28634 |
2D Design Studio or |
3 |
| DESN 10587 |
Introduction to Surface Design |
3 |
| DESN 26048 |
3D Design Studio or |
3 |
| DESN 14998 |
Introduction to Figurative Sculpture |
3 |
| ARTS 25436 |
Painting: Media and Materials |
3 |
| DSGN 17198 |
Digital Media Lab |
3 |
| HIST11456G |
History of Western Art |
3 |
| Total: |
|
18 |
|
|
|
Term 4
|
|
|
| ARTS 25586 |
Figurative Drawing Studio or |
3 |
| ARTS 23431 |
Interpretive Drawing Studio |
3 |
| DESN 26859 2D |
Design: Text and Image or |
3 |
| DESN 24178 |
Surface Design |
3 |
| DESN 28448 |
Figurative Sculpture or |
3 |
| DESN 21684 |
Material Exploration |
3 |
| ARTS 28263 |
Figurative Painting Studio or |
3 |
| ARTS 24444 |
Interpretive Painting |
3 |
| DSGN 27545 |
Digital Media Studio |
3 |
| BUSM 25892 |
Business for the Arts |
3 |
| GNED |
General Education Elective |
3 |
| Total: |
|
21 |
|
|
|
| VISUAL AND CREATIVE ARTS ADVANCED DIPLOMA |
|
| TERM 5 |
|
|
| DESN 10004 |
Introduction to Printmaking |
3 |
| DSGN 18081 |
Introduction to Web Design |
3 |
| DESN 39014 |
Sculpture Studio |
3 |
| ARTS 39402 |
Painting: Images and Ideas |
3 |
| DSGN 19402 |
Introduction to Digital Photography |
3 |
| GNED |
General Education Elective |
3 |
| Total: |
|
18 |
|
|
|
| Term 6 |
|
|
| DESN 14579 |
Printmaking |
3 |
| DSGN 13672 |
Web Design |
3 |
| DESN 30172 |
Advanced Sculpture |
3 |
| ARTS 33314 |
Advanced Painting Studio |
3 |
| DSGN 26206 |
Digital Imagery |
3 |
| DSGN 26206 |
Professional Practice |
3 |
| Total: |
|
18 |
Note: Visual and Creative Arts students are required, as part of
their curriculum, to study life drawing. This regularly includes
drawing the nude figure and the study of human anatomy.