Visual Studies

 

OUAC CODE: TEV


The new Visual Studies department offers four programs that will challenge those with a creative spirit to reach their highest potential.

As a joint program with Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Art & Art History emphasizes the hands-on creativity of studio art and the research perspective of art history. Students explore contemporary ideas, practices, and materials in art studios at Sheridan, while history and theory courses taken at U of T Mississauga examine the art and architecture of a range of past and current cultures and traditions. Art & Art History provides a unique opportunity for students to create, analyze and interpret visual imagery. At the same time, the program’s rigorous university standards ensure that students gain traditional skills in reading, writing and verbal expression.

The Art History programs balance traditional methods of analysis and interpretation with newer approaches rooted in critical theory. Since works of architecture, sculpture, painting and other arts eloquently testify to the values and priorities of the societies that created them, art history provides a key to understanding human cultures. Students understand how historical processes created and demanded works of art, and in turn, how those works of art define a period of time and culture.

PROGRAMS AND SPECIALIZATIONS

  • Art & Art History: Offered as a Major and as a Specialist
  • Art History: Offered as Major, Minor & Specialist
  • Cinema Studies, offered as a Minor, allows students to understand film, its properties, aesthetics, and impact on culture and society.
  • Visual Culture & Communication (VCC): Students interested in visual arts and design may also wish to consider this specialization.

WHY CHOOSE U OF T MISSISSAUGA FOR ART & ART HISTORY?
Students take advantage of the latest technology at our state-of-the-art CCT building.

Art & Art History graduates receive two prestigious and practical credentials that reflect the program’s dual focus:

  • Honours Bachelor of Arts from U of T
  • Diploma in Art & Art History from Sheridan

Students benefit from studying with high calibre, creative and active U of T Mississauga professors who have received training from some of the most prestigious universities in the world.

The Blackwood Gallery, our on-campus art gallery, is an award-winning, internationally-recognized gallery that showcases some of the most advanced and interesting contemporary artists from around the world. Each year, the gallery features the work of graduating students from the Art & Art History program.

Students in Art & Art History take advantage of the drawing and painting studios at Sheridan’s Annie Smith Arts Centre, where they have their own studio cubicles, gain hands-on experience, and develop close friendships with their peers.

Our programs emphasize the importance of both traditional and digital photography in the study of art. This commitment is supported by full-time faculty dedicated to photography.

Students can take full advantage of public art galleries (e.g. Art Gallery of Ontario), museums (e.g. Royal Ontario Museum), artist-run centres (e.g. Toronto Photographers Workshop), small press and artist production facilities (e.g. Open Studio), as well as the many private galleries in Toronto.

Students use the Fine Art Digital Imaging Systems, a growing online database of images used in class. The system allows students to study and complete independent quizzes, both on and off campus.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Intensive studio art courses and regular access to modern studio facilities allow students to develop and refine practical skills while additional work experiences and opportunities are also available. These include:

  • The Blackwood Gallery work-study opportunities
  • U of T Visual Resource Library work study
  • Professors hire students to conduct research

AFFILIATED STUDENT CLUB
FASA — Fine Art Student Association
DVSSS — Department of Visual Studies Student Society

WHAT HIGH SCHOOL PREPARATION DO I NEED?
For both Art & Art History and Humanities: Grade 12 English (ENG4U) plus five other Grade 12 credits (Ontario U or M courses).*

No portfolio is required for Art & Art History. Students with strong academic records and little studio background have flourished in the program, as have students with studio experience, so a portfolio and high school art experience are not required.

*This refers to courses from the Ontario Curriculum.
We will accept equivalent courses from other academic systems. For details, visit www.adm.utoronto.ca/adm.

WHAT COURSES DO I TAKE?
Here is a sample of courses a student enrolled in Art & Art History can take:

First Year:

  • VST100H5: Introduction to Visual Studies 1
  • VST101H5: Introduction to Visual Studies 2
  • FAH202H5: Introduction to Art History
  • FAS143H5: Drawing 1*
  • FAS147H5: Photography 1*
  • FAS145H5: Painting 1*
  • FAS146H5: Design 1*

Second Year

  • FAH204H5: Roman Art and Architecture (HUM)
  • FAH279H5: Baroque Art and Architecture
  • FAH288H5: Art of the Earlier 20th Century
  • FAS232H5: Print Media 1*
  • FAS248H5: Sculpture 1*

Upper Years

  • FAS234H5: Print Media 2*
  • FAH353H5: Rome in the Age of Bernini
  • FAS330Y5: Experimentation in Past and Present Techniques*
  • FAS334Y5: Print Media 3*


* = Courses taken at Sheridan

AFTER GRADUATION
Art & Art History students choose many paths, including:

  • Teaching at the primary, secondary and post-secondary level.
  • Graduate studies in studio art, art history, conservation, or related fields in the humanities, leading to an MFA, MA or PhD. Others combine their love of art with science, and enter programs such as our Masters of Biomedical Communications.
  • Graduates have flourished in commercial art, including graphic design, advertising, illustration, web design and art direction.


FOR MORE INFORMATION
Steph Sullivan
905-828-3899
s.sullivan@utoronto.ca
www.utm.utoronto.ca/dvs