Visual Arts

Program Highlights & Admission Requirements

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Express yourself! Come work in our stunning new facilities, with supportive faculty who want you to realize your creative potential. We offer in-depth studio practices, exhibition opportunities, and exposure to the cultural institutions of Windsor and Detroit.

Sample Courses: Studio Practice and Ideas (Space, Image, Drawing), Modern Art, Introductory Photography, Contemporary Visual Culture, Survey of Art History

Career Tracks: Creative director, illustrator, graphic designer, photographer, marketing manager

How do you see the world? Study how art, architecture, and media technologies have shaped our understanding of culture throughout time. Studio art classes are complemented by unique academic courses. When you don’t have a brush or pencil in your hand, you’ll be involved in events, exhibitions, and workshops where you can learn through experience.

Sample Courses: Studio Practice and Ideas (Space, Image, Drawing), Contemporary Architecture, Stories of the City, Border Culture

Career Tracks: Arts administrator, creative director, museum director, cultural journalist/critic, research co-ordinator

Share your passion for visual arts with budding Picassos and Emily Carrs in this program where you’ll earn two degrees at once. You’ll work toward your BA (general) in our stunning School of Creative Arts building while studying education and getting teaching experience in schools. At the end, you’ll be eligible to teach intermediate/senior students (Grades 7-12).

Sample Courses: Teaching and Learning, Educational Psychology, Assessment and Evaluation, Studio Practice and Ideas, Modern Art, Contemporary Visual Culture

Career Tracks: Secondary teacher, principal, special education teacher, learning specialist, academic administrator, educational assistant, creative director, graphic designer

Professional Designation Possible: OCT (Ontario College of Teachers)

Co-op Co-op Available
G General 3-year program
H Honours 4-year program
T Thesis Available
C Combined Honours programs available

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"My four years spent in the Visual Arts department contributed positively to my development as a person, an artist, and a citizen of Windsor-Essex County. Through my education, I was fortunate enough to meet a number of likeminded young artists, with whom I would collaborate for years to come. I have also witnessed the true dedication of SoCA’s faculty members, some of whom I have remained in contact with for many years. Visual Arts at Windsor is a unique program and I am proud to call myself an alumnus."

Joshua Babcock
BA in Visual Arts

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What Will I Learn?

Expressing oneself confidently, assertively and purposefully through visual imagery
Creating works of visual art using a variety of techniques, practices, and media
Organizing visual information effectively using appropriate technological methods and software packages

Developing visual literacy: the ability to understand the powerful role of images in contemporary media contexts and to convey one’s own ideas and arguments thoughtfully through the creation of new images, works of art, film or architecture

Designing, staging, managing, and overseeing effective visual campaigns and productions

Analyzing and assessing works of visual art for formal/technical quality of expression; grouping and curating disparate works logically and meaningfully

Understanding and evaluating the rhetorical function of visual advertising materials

87%

Employment Rate of Graduates

2 years following degree completion (OUGS Fine and Applied Arts, 2019)

Explore your opportunities

Advertising analyst
Architect
Art gallery manager
Art therapist
Arts administrator
Cinematographer
Communications specialist
Conservator
Creative director
Curator
Development officer
Entrepreneur
Graphic designer
Interior designer

Journalist
Lawyer
Marketing manager
Multimedia illustrator
Museum director
Photographer
Professional artist
Professor
Project manager
Research co-ordinator
Set designer
Studio co-ordinator
Teacher
Web designer

First Year

Take required courses including Contemporary Visual Culture and Studio Practice and Ideas
Meet with the departmental undergraduate coordinator or an assigned faculty advisor to help you choose your courses and get you set on the right track
Review degree course requirements
Focus on core courses to learn which aspects of Visual Arts you want to focus on in later years
Begin looking into optional courses outside of Visual Arts/SoCA (in FAHSS or Sciences) to complete before Year 3
Receive peer mentorship from members of the UWindsor Visual Arts Society

Middle Years

Take required 200-level courses and check in with your faculty mentor or departmental academic advisor
Take a specialized 300-level course like Green Corridor, Curating as Cultural Practice, Bio Art or Sonic Arts
Look into completing your capstone research project in the final year of your honours program HIP
Make sure you are on the right track to complete all senior-level (400-level) requirement courses in Studio and Media Art History/Visual Culture
Consider taking courses in accordance with the Certificate in Arts Management or a minor
Continue taking the required pre-requisites for graduate/professional school

Final Year

Meet with an academic advisor to go over degree requirements
Complete all required courses for your degree
Make sure all 400-level courses are completed in both Studio areas and Media Art History/Visual Culture
Apply to graduate through UWinsite Student Portal
Take a Visual Arts Independent Study course
Work with a faculty member on a research project or publication HIP
Complete required courses for Arts Management Certificate
Consider taking an internship course HIP
Become a teaching assistant or research assistant HIP
Conduct field research with faculty member HIP

First Year

Join a club like the Visual Arts Society, 3D Print Club or UWSA
Explore free SOCA Presents events such as professional artist talks, film screenings, and music performances
Sign up for class visits to major art exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Windsor, the Detroit Institute of the Arts or the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
Apply for a co-curricular experience such as VIP-Community Service Learning HIP
Invesitgate research opportunities as part of the Outstanding Scholars program HIP
Research international student exchange opportunities for middle years, especially in the UK HIP
Participate in the Bystander Initiative workshop to gain skills that will help you be an effective and supportive ally to prevent sexual assault on campus

Middle Years

Participate in the UWill Discover undergraduate research conference HIP
Volunteer or work with the Art Gallery of Windsor, Artcite, Arts Council Windsor and Region or a range of cultural organizations
Apply for student exchange HIP
Look into paid work study positions in SoCA or across campus, which are based on financial need
Look into paid research assistantship positions with faculty members who carry research grants HIP

Final Year

Become a teaching assistant or research assistant HIP
Work with a campus department to help produce artistic ideas for marketing or promotional videos
Complete a thesis and present work at thesis show (BFA students) HIP

First Year

Meet with your faculty advisor to discuss the best course of study to help you achieve your goals and make the most of your educational experience
Start by making a list of things that you enjoy and areas in which you excel
Meet with a career advisor in Career Development and Experiential Learning (CDEL) for help developing a plan for your future years
Consider a career assessment appointment to help you identify possible career paths
Get involved with a part-time job, volunteer opportunity, campus group, or research assistantship
Attend CDEL workshops to learn how to find a summer or part-time job and write a university-level resumé
Chat with an advisor during CDEL's Drop In hours to get answers to your career and job search questions

Middle Years

Research career fields and occupations with the help of a CDEL career advisor
Explore opportunities and meet potential employers by participating in job fairs, industry networking events, or CDEL’s Job Shadow Experience
Explore further educational opportunities by attending the Graduate and Professional Schools Fair and researching admission requirements for programs you are interested in
Create a LinkedIn profile and have it critiqued by CDEL
Take part in informational interviews and join online communities like LinkedIn and Ten Thousand Coffees to connect with people in your targeted profession or industry
Search job postings to learn what skills, knowledge, and credentials you will need for potential careers
Meet with an academic advisor to go over degree requirements
Complete all required courses for your degree

Final Year

If you are considering applying to graduate or professional school, be aware of early application deadlines
Meet with CDEL to prepare application documents like a resumé, cover letter, CV, or personal statement for jobs and education programs you are applying to
Attend CDEL's workshops on interview skills and job search strategies
Set up a mock interview with a career advisor for professional school or job applications
Take part in recruitment events and job fairs, including those organized by CDEL
Compose a portfolio of relevant academic and work experience

High-Impact Practices (HIP)

A HIP is an enriching educational experience that can be life-changing and often includes learning outside of the classroom while encouraging meaningful interaction and collaboration.

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Program Highlights & Admission Requirements

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Connect with Visual Arts

What Will I Learn?

87%

Explore your opportunities

First Year

Middle Years

Final Year

First Year

Middle Years

Final Year

First Year

Middle Years

Final Year

High-Impact Practices (HIP)

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UWindsor

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Visual Arts

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Program Highlights & Admission Requirements

Your location

Visual Arts H

Admission requirements for Applicants in Canada

Admission requirements for Applicants outside of Canada

Media Arts & Culture H

Admission requirements for Applicants in Canada

Admission requirements for Applicants outside of Canada

Visual Arts (BA) G / Concurrent Education (BEd)

Admission requirements for Applicants in Canada

Admission requirements for Applicants outside of Canada

Get a FAHSS Brochure sent straight to your inbox

Connect with Visual Arts

What Will I Learn?

87%

Explore your opportunities

Career Tracks

Experiences

First Year

Middle Years

Final Year

First Year

Middle Years

Final Year

First Year

Middle Years

Final Year

High-Impact Practices (HIP)

Learn More

Apply to UWindsor

Step by step: How to Apply

Events & Webinars

Questions? Need Help?

There are multiple ways to connect with UWindsor to ask questions

Get a FAHSS Brochure
sent straight to your inbox

Apply to
UWindsor

Events &
Webinars

Questions?
Need Help?