Alberta University of the Arts: History and Programs in Art, Craft, and Design
Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts), formerly known as the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD), stands as Alberta's sole institution offering university-level undergraduate and graduate degree programs in art, craft, and design. This article delves into the history of AUArts, tracing its evolution from its origins as part of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) to its current status as a distinguished university. It also explores the diverse range of programs offered, particularly focusing on the Bachelor of Arts in History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture.
Historical Overview
The roots of Alberta University of the Arts extend back to 1916 with the founding of the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art (PITA). In 1926, the art department was established within the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). This marked the formal beginning of what would eventually become a leading institution for art and design education in Alberta. The institution was renamed the Alberta College of Art in 1960.
In 1985, a significant milestone was reached when the Alberta College of Art was separated from SAIT, becoming an independent, publicly funded college. This transition allowed the institution to focus specifically on developing and expanding its art and design programs. The college gained the authority to grant Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in 1995 and was renamed the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD).
The most recent transformation occurred in March 2018 when ACAD was officially named a university by the Minister of Advanced Education. This designation reflected the institution's growth and its unique position as the only one in the province to offer university-level degree programs in art, craft, and design. On January 17, 2019, ACAD was officially renamed Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts).
Academic Structure and Programs
Alberta University of the Arts is organized into four schools: the School of Visual Art, the School of Communication Design, the School of Craft and Emerging Media, and the School of Critical and Creative Studies. These schools collectively offer a comprehensive range of programs designed to foster innovation, creativity, and critical thinking. The university offers two BFA and BDes undergraduate degrees, and one MFA post-graduate degree program.
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Bachelor of Arts in History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture
The Bachelor of Arts in History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture is designed to explore the development and significance of visual culture across different times and places. The program examines artistic movements, the role of design in daily life, and the evolving concepts of visual representation. Students analyze and interpret visual objects from various periods, cultures, and contexts. Course topics range widely, from representations of sex and death in the Renaissance, to performing bodies in contemporary activist art, to China’s design revolution.
Curriculum and First-Year Experience
The first year of studies at AUArts is designed to provide students with a broad foundation in art, craft, and design. Students have the opportunity to explore various disciplines before specializing in a particular area. In the first year, students typically take two Drawing courses, Four courses from the following programs: Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry and Metals, Media Arts, Painting, Photography, Print Media, Sculpture and Visual Communication Design, Visual Arts, Pre-Modern Arts and Visual Cultures, Writing for Critical and Creative Practices, Intro to Critical and Creative Studies.
Visual Communications Design (VCD)
The Visual Communications Design (VCD) major is a specialized program within the School of Communication Design. It focuses on developing career professionals in advertising, graphic design, illustration, and character design. The VCD curriculum is divided into specialized program streams that students enter in their third year of study. The Illustration Stream examines storytelling, psychology, interpretation, and the imagination to enable the creation of unique and compelling ideas and images.
Unique Learning Environment
AUArts emphasizes a studio-based education, where students develop their creative abilities through hands-on experience. Students interact with business, culture and society in new and exciting ways. The university encourages students to challenge conventional thinking and explore new possibilities in their chosen fields.
Campus Galleries and Resources
Alberta University of the Arts hosts a variety of galleries on campus, providing students and the public with opportunities to engage with contemporary art and design. These galleries include the Marion Nicoll Gallery, student-run galleries, and the Lodgepole Center. These spaces showcase the work of students, faculty, and visiting artists, fostering a vibrant and dynamic artistic community.
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Career Outcomes
Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture can pursue various career paths in the arts and culture sector. Potential career outcomes include roles in art curation, museum education, gallery management, and design consultancy. Graduates may also find employment as art historians, cultural analysts, or educators in diverse settings. The Visual Communications Design (VCD) major develops career professionals in advertising, graphic design, illustration, and character design.
General Information
Alberta University of the Arts is a degree-granting, public, not-for-profit institution.
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