Visual Arts Lakehead University

Overview

The Visual Arts programme at Lakehead University provides a rigorous environment for students to develop their creative voices through practical studio applications and academic study. This degree integrates technical training in traditional and digital media with a deep exploration of art history and contemporary theory. Students are encouraged to interpret the world through a creative lens while building the professional skills necessary for a career in the cultural sector.

Why Visual Arts at Lakehead University?

Lakehead University is distinguished as one of the few institutions in Ontario to offer a dedicated ceramics studio path, featuring facilities for mold-making, wheel throwing, and kiln firing. The department maintains a close-knit community where faculty provide individualised attention to each artist. Students benefit from an annual departmental field trip to major cultural hubs such as New York, Chicago, or Toronto to view world-class collections. Furthermore, the university hosts a unique Juried Student Art Exhibition at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, offering significant achievement awards and professional exhibition experience.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 30236 per year
• National fee: CAD 6598 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Prehistory to the Middle Ages
• Renaissance to the Contemporary Period
• Drawing
• Art
• Painting
• Sculpture
• Ceramics
• Digital Image
• Professional Practices for Artists

Careers with Visual Arts

Graduates are prepared for diverse roles within the creative industries and beyond. Potential career paths include becoming a professional artist, gallery director, or curator. The programme also equips students for roles in education as teachers or curriculum specialists, and in marketing as art directors or graphic designers. Other destinations include exhibit design, urban design, art therapy, and community engagement coordination. The final year specifically focuses on professional development, including grant writing and marketing, to ensure graduates can successfully manage their own studio practices.