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Program Overview
Program Overview & Highlights
The Visual Arts program at the University of Windsor is a four-year Honours program that offers students the opportunity to explore their creative potential in a supportive community of artists. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the visual arts, including studio practices, exhibition opportunities, and exposure to the cultural institutions of Windsor and Detroit.
Program Details
- Duration: 4 years
- Degree: B.F.A.
- Location: School of Creative Arts (SoCA) in the downtown campus
Program Highlights
- Studio Spaces: State-of-the-art facilities, including a photography lab, lighting studios, painting and drawing studios, digital print lab, and more
- Interdisciplinary Maker Space: The MakeLab, featuring a central classroom hub, Metal Shop, Wood Shop, and Casting Lab
- Exhibition Opportunities: Students have the opportunity to showcase their work in exhibitions and events
- Cultural Institutions: Access to the cultural institutions of Windsor and Detroit, including the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Windsor Art Gallery
- Faculty-to-Student Ratio: 1:23, ensuring personalized attention from world-class professors
What Lancers Are Saying
"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 like-minded 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, Alumni, Founder of Good, Yourself Creative Co.
Faculty & Staff
- Student Recruitment Officer: Selena Randhawa
- Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator: Sheri Lowrie
Admission Requirements
High School Student from Canada
- Course Requirements: English/ENG4U (min. avg. 60%)
- Minimum Average: 70%
- Mean Average: 83%
High School Student from Outside Canada and the United States (International)
- Course Requirements: Grade 12 English
- Minimum Average: 70%
- Mean Average: 83%
Career Tracks
- Creative director
- Illustrator
- Graphic designer
- Photographer
- Marketing manager
- Advertising analyst
- Art gallery manager
- Arts administrator
- Art therapist
- Cinematographer
- Communications specialist
- Conservator
- Curator
- Entrepreneur
- Graphic designer
- Interior designer
- Multimedia illustrator
- Museum director
- Professional artist
- Set designer
- Studio co-ordinator
- Web designer
Related Programs
- Visual Arts & the Built Environment
Plan Your Program
Term: Fall 2025
Important Notes
- ENGL-1010 is required for all FAHSS Majors. Students with 80% or higher in Grade 12 ENG4U (or equivalent) are exempt from this course requirement and will substitute it with an additional course from any area of study.
- All FAHSS programs require students to take one course with Indigenous content, perspectives, or materials. This can be done at any time during the student's undergraduate education.
- Language courses count as Arts or Science courses.
Required Course Notes
Major Courses
- Take two of the following courses:
- VSAR 1050
- VSAR 1060
- VSAR 1070
- VSAR 1080
- Take one of the following:
- MACS 2050
- MACS 2150
Required Course:
- ENGL 1010
Recommended Other Courses
- GART 1210
- One Arts/Language or Science
Required Courses
ENGL 1010: Academic Writing
An introduction to the fundamentals of effective writing in academic contexts. Topics may include language, essay writing conventions, critical thinking, research, editing and revising, and academic integrity.
MACS 2050: Art and Material Culture
Art and Material Culture. In this course, we explore different traditions of making through the lens of materials and technologies.
MACS 2150: Art and Visual Culture
How have people from different cultures and time periods perceived the world and how have they represented their perceptions of it?
VSAR 1050: Studio Practice and Ideas/Space
An investigation of the principles, vocabulary and concepts of space-based art, including but not limited to sculpture and installation.
VSAR 1060: Studio Practice and Ideas/Image
An introduction to the fundamental skills and critical concepts of visual perception and production common to all areas of 2 dimensional image-making.
VSAR 1070: Studio Practice and Ideas/Drawing
An investigation of a variety of drawing processes, materials and concepts in a studio environment that fosters exploration.
VSAR 1080: Studio Practice and Ideas/Time-Based
An investigation of the principles, vocabulary and concepts of time-based arts including digital media.
Recommended Courses
GART 1210: An Introduction into Indigenous Topics
This course introduces students to Indigenous histories, perspectives, and modern realities through an Indigenous lens.
