Costume Studies Dalhousie University

Overview

Dalhousie University 's Costume Studies programme is unique in North America. It has a strong historical focus on both theatre and museum work and stresses applied skills, along with research and academic skills.

You’ll achieve a well-rounded education, equally able to turn your hand to creating costumes from any historical period and for all genders, and to the kinds of problem-solving which have come to be expected of graduates with a broad liberal arts education.

Students come to Dalhousie’s Costume Studies from all across Canada and the USA. They quickly form a special bond and make friends for life. Because of the close-knit Costume Studies community, those moving away from home for their first year of university need never fear being lonely. In addition, our Costume Studies graduates have a strong network across North America and enjoy a close-knit community that’s hard to find in larger university programmes.

What you will learn

• Learn to create clothing from historical periods using bespoke, one-of-a-kind couturier methods. You will also learn why and how clothing contributes to the formation of personal, community, and cultural identities. 

• Gain a strong proficiency in costume history, exploring why people clothed themselves as they did, paying attention to social and cultural influences, along with class and gender differentiation.
• In addition to class projects and assignments, you’ll hone your applied and academic skills in costuming by working on costumes for several Fountain School's stage productions. Your fourth year includes the creation of a major historical research project which is presented to the public on stage at our new Joseph Strug Concert Hall. It is within these two requirements of the programme– one grounded in the magic of theatre, one steeped in the sensuality of history – that the individual elements of the programme are realized and appreciated. It is here that students are able to gauge public reaction to their work, which is a valuable part of their education experience.

Careers

The programme prepares you for a successful career in the varied career paths related to costume. Students with a passion for costume are well-equipped for careers in theatre, film, and television. Possible careers include:

• Costume Designer  

• Arts Administration In The Theatre And Film Industries

• Costume Buyer

• Costume cutter

• Museum and archival fields