Best Art Schools in Canada

Art Schools in Canada

What are some of the best art schools in Canada? Do you have an intense love for the arts and a desire to improve your existing talents or possibly embark on a professional path in one of the many artistic disciplines? Attending some of the best art schools in Canada that will assist you in developing these skills and turning you into a professional is highly recommended.

This article provides comprehensive information about some of these prestigious art schools in Canada that offer scholarships and other forms of financial aid to Canadian citizens and students from other countries who wish to pursue an education in the arts in Canada.

Art is as old as man himself, and ever since then, it has gone through a lot of change and continues to change due to intensive research and in-depth exploration.

The development of digital technology not only contributed to the expansion of existing forms of art forms but paved the way for the emergence of brand new subgenre subgenres photography, animation, game design, and virtual reality art, amongst others.

Is Canada A Good Place To Study Art?

The standard of education in Canada is such high standard that it is recognized worldwide. In addition, the country’s crime rate is among the lowest in the world, the environment is pleasant, and the climate is favorable.

To help you become a better art student, the art schools in Canada are fully prepared, with qualified instructors and the necessary infrastructure.

To assist students financially and encourage them to become better students, I have produced a list of the top art colleges in Canada that offer scholarships and other forms of financial assistance to their students.

1. Concordia University, Faculty of Fine Arts

The faculty comprises renowned researchers, artists, and scholars who provide good education and serve as an emblem of inspiration and encouragement to students.

There are more than 3,800 students enrolled in a combined total of 60 undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The environment in which these programs are housed reflects the flexibility and diversity of contemporary culture.


The Faculty of Fine Arts at Concordia University is consistently ranked as one of the best art schools in Canada. It comprises nine departments and four cutting-edge research centers, all devoted to the fusion of new technologies, traditional forms of media, and historical approaches to fine art.

In addition, the institution makes financial assistance available to students who wish to enroll in one of these nine departments.

The following are the names of the two scholarship awards that are given out by the institution to students in the faculty of fine arts:

The Heather Walker Memorial Scholarship:  was established in 1995 by the faculty of fine arts with the help of donations from colleagues and friends. This scholarship is presented annually to full-time or part-time students enrolled in one cinema or photography program.

The recipients of this award are chosen based on their artistic and academic accomplishments and devotion to activities that benefit the greater good.

The Heather and Erin Humanitarian Award:  was also founded in 1995 by the faculty of fine arts via the donations of colleagues and friends.

This award is given annually to a full-time or part-time student enrolled in a Bachelor of Fine Arts program at the university. Candidates are chosen for their demonstrated commitment to helping others, excellence in their academic and artistic pursuits, and service to their communities.

2. Emily Carr University of Art & Design

Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECUAD), which was founded in 1925, is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education for the visual arts, media arts, and design in all of Canada.

 The university provides students with a conducive learning environment that is focused on excellence and innovation in these fields. Students at ECUAD have access to high-quality instruction in both the practical and theoretical aspects of any type of art they choose to study, allowing them to develop the skills necessary to become professionals in their chosen fields.

ECUAD is a renowned school of the arts that will assist you as a student in achieving your artistic goal. Over the years, the university has helped many students realize their dream by providing annual scholarships and other forms of financial aid available to all students.

The following is a list of the various forms of financial assistance that are made available to students by ECUAD on an annual basis:

Funding for Undergraduate Students: A form of financial assistance known as Funding for Undergraduate Students is available to new students, currently enrolled students, and graduate students who may be eligible for funding help.

Entrance Scholarships program: About seven other scholarship awards are included in the Entrance Scholarships program. These awards are available to students from the United States and students from other countries. They are given to first-year students with outstanding academic achievement and artistic potential. These scholarships will cover a major percentage of the recipient’s initial year’s educational costs.

Tuition Scholarships:  There are over a dozen different scholarship programs that are accessible to first-, second-, and third-year students at ECUAD who are enrolled in 12 or more credits. Tuition Scholarships are granted to students in the form of a tuition reduction in the following autumn and spring semesters. To be eligible to apply during the month of March, students must have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 3.33.

External Scholarships: Students have the opportunity to apply for and be awarded various forms of financial assistance from organizations and institutions located outside of ECUAD. If they do so, they have the option to apply that assistance toward their education at ECUAD.

Graduate Students Funding: There are a number of different scholarships that graduate students can apply for at ECUAD. One of these awards is given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and artistic promise.

3. Nova Scotia College of Art & Design

The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) is filled with internationally recognized artists, designers, scholars, and researchers,  who teach students the critical skills necessary to thrive in an art school environment and beyond the school walls. NSCAD is located in a coastal city with a highly diverse art scene. The college has a long history of successful art-making.

The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) gives out scholarships on a yearly basis to deserving students who are struggling financially and want to attend school.

The early application deadline for the Entrance Scholarship is March 1, and applicants who submit their materials by that date will be automatically considered for the scholarship.

Additionally, during each academic year, NSCAD awards more than ninety internal scholarships and bursaries to students who have successfully applied for them, allowing them to be major in any subject of their choosing.

4. George Brown College, Center for Arts & Design

The George Brown College Center for Arts and Design is the place to study if you want to gain practical skills in any form of art or design that prepares you for the employment journey. It is stacked with top-notch art research facilities and is located in the center of a richly diverse and vibrant city. If you are interested in attending this school, click here.

The school is one of the art schools in Canada. As such, it gives out a number of scholarships on an annual basis to both international and local students who are interested in enrolling at this world-famous art institution. Some examples of these scholarships are as follows:

Diploma/Degree Scholarships. Scholarships of thirty-one are made available to qualified students who are continuing their education full-time in diploma or degree programs. To be eligible to apply for the scholarship, applicants need to demonstrate that they have participated in activities that have benefited other students, their academic department, or the institution.

Additionally, the student must have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 3.5 from the previous two or more semesters of study completed before the current semester.

Certificate Scholarships are awards made accessible to qualified students enrolled in a postgraduate certificate program that requires full-time study. The applicant needs to have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 and be very involved in the community school.

The scholarship Program offers a total of eighteen different awards to deserving students who are continuing their studies in ESL. The applicant must have completed at least one level of English for Academic Purposes Program with an average grade of A and participated in activities that have contributed to the school in general, other students, or their academic department.

Externally Funded Scholarships: The Kimokran Scholarship, the Assist-on Scholarship, and the Woori Education Scholarship are the three scholarships that fall under the category of Externally Funded Scholarships.

These scholarships come from organizations not affiliated with the Center for Arts & Design at George Brown College. Applicants must maintain a grade point average of 3.3 and be actively involved in the school community to be considered.

5. Ontario College of Art & Design University

The Ontario College of Art and Design University was established in 1876, making it not only Canada’s oldest art school but also its largest and most comprehensive institution for art and design. It is often considered to be the top art school in the province of Ontario in Canada.

The Ontario College of Art and Design University, also known as OCAD U, is an educational institution that focuses on the profession of art and design and research into a wide range of related fields.

Students receive instruction in aesthetics and techniques in addition to scientific, theoretical, critical, and historical information and approaches. This provides a well-rounded education for them.

Students at OCAD U have access to state-of-the-art infrastructures that allow them to develop their creative potential further, carry out research, and participate in various other activities. So, if you want to develop your artistic potential and make progress toward your goal, the most OK location for you to do it is at this institution.

The Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U) provides students who may be struggling financially with the opportunity to receive financial assistance annually to encourage students to enroll at the university.

The purpose of the financial help that is made available to students at OCAD U is to acknowledge their achievements. This money is granted annually for each program major and year level; it is determined by the student’s grades or the results of a juried competition.

Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded in the form of tuition credits before the beginning of the subsequent academic year.

 Students are not required to apply, but they will be chosen based on their excellent academic achievement in their respective programs of study. The scholarship may be awarded only once, or it may be renewable depending on the work that the student does.

Scholarships are available to students in the first, second, and third years of their studies in the Faculties of Art and Design, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the School of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Awards:  Awards are presented to students in their fourth year of study, generally through a judged competition held at the end of each academic year, and they are monetary awards. Awards acknowledge both the academic achievements of students as well as the artistic potential of those students.

Prizes: Both the scholarship program and the awards program have a component for awarding prizes, and such prizes can have monetary or non-monetary value.

6. New Brunswick College of Craft & Design

The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design is the only educational establishment in Canada solely devoted to studying fine crafts and design. The college was founded in 1938.

The New Brunswick College of Craft & Design (NBCCD) is widely regarded as one of Canada’s most prestigious art schools. It provides students access to a diverse range of educational opportunities, including contemporary digital design, traditional craft studios, and an Aboriginal Visual Art Program.

The National Board for Certification in Craft and Design (NBCCD) provides an outstanding foundation for professional practice, personal development, fostering creative enterprise, and application to learn in the art of craft and design.

This enables students to uncover their unique creative potential, turn their passion, dreams, and talents into a career, and join the expanding community of craft and design specialists.

Both part-time and full-time students who are interested in attending New Brunswick College of Craft & Design are eligible to receive one or more of the following forms of financial assistance:

The Renewed Tuition Bursary is financial assistance created to assist students facing significant financial restrictions. If an application is chosen, the bursary may be used to bring a student to NBCCD who has always wanted to study there but lacked the funds to do so.

The New Brunswick Community College Foundation Awards provide financial assistance to as many students as may be accommodated by the available funds. In addition, students attending NBCCD can receive bursaries, scholarships, and prizes from the foundation so that they may major in the subject of their choosing.

The Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation Award is presented to a student enrolled in the Advanced Studio Practice Program who has shown outstanding crafts or design abilities and an exceptional academic record.

PETL Training Skills and Development: A particular sort of financial assistance known as PETL Training Skills and Development is made available to a limited number of college students who are able to fulfill the requirements of the Training Skills and Development (TSD) program.

7. Sheridan College, Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design

Sheridan College’s Faculty of Animation, Arts, and Design provides students with an amazing learning experience that prepares them for work and life.

 The school was founded in 1967 as an art school in Canada, and its creative campus approach – designed to give you tools for problem-solving and critical thinking – and deep program offerings across the creative spectrum combine to make Sheridan College a unique educational institution.

Those students interested in attending Sheridan College may take advantage of one of many different forms of financial assistance made available by the college. These forms of assistance are as follows:

Scholarships are awarded considering various factors, including academic achievement, community engagement, leadership qualities, and financial necessity.

Sheridan Degree Entrance Scholarships

This type of scholarship will provide an entrance scholarship grant to a deserving candidate who has been accepted into one of Sheridan’s degree programs.

Students dealing with significant financial difficulties yet who have shown an interest in attending Sheridan College’s Faculty of Animation, Arts, and Design are eligible to apply for bursaries.

Sheridan University recognizes students who have shown exceptional academic achievement by bestowing them an Academic Honor. Students are nominated for this award by the members of their respective faculties.

You can find their information that is entirely up to date on the best art schools in Canada that offer scholarships that are certain to cultivate and enhance your artistic potential, make you better at what you have always loved to do in the arts field, and train you with the skills that are necessary to face the creative industry.

8. Alberta University of the Arts

The Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts), founded in 1926 and is recognized as the most prestigious and most prominent art institution in all of Canada, has been responsible for encouraging the creative aspirations of tens of thousands of students and helping them realize their ambitions.

Scholarships, bursaries, prizes, and awards are just a few of the types of financial assistance that are given out every year by the university to assist students in achieving their academic goals and turning their aspirations into reality.

You must be familiar with the many sorts of prizes that AUArts offers yearly because you will need to know which ones to apply for. These awards are open to students from all over the world, including those from Canada, and they may be used to pursue a degree in any art discipline. These honors are given for:

Entrance Scholarship: The Entrance Scholarship Prize is a sort of award that may be received by first-year students or freshmen at AUArts when they submit their portfolio and is given in the form of a tuition credit

Automatic Scholarship: Automatic Scholarship Award is a sort of scholarship award that does not need the student to apply; instead, it is picked automatically based on the student’s academic achievement during the previous academic year or the quality of the student’s work.

Competitive Scholarship: A Competitive Scholarship Award is a kind of award that requires students to fill out and submit an application form. In addition, there are certain requirements that candidates need to possess before the faculty or award committee may pick them.

Bursaries: Awards known as bursaries are provided to students who are struggling financially.

Prizes: are prizes that are presented to students. Prizes may come from books, supplies, medals, plaques, subscriptions, gift certificates, and gift subscriptions. Gift certificates are another sort of prize.

9. Yukon School of Visual Arts

The Yukon School of Visual Arts (SOVA) was founded in 2007 and is recognized as the post-secondary fine arts institution located the furthest north in Canada, with the goal of providing a dynamic education in the visual arts within a community that is rich in cultural diversity.

One of Canada’s newest arts schools is the Yukon School of Visual Arts. Despite being a relatively young educational establishment, the school has not been unable to realize its mission because of the pupils.

Students are taught practical and theoretical skills to help them realize their creative potential and prepare them for what lies ahead in their artistic careers. In addition, students who want to enroll at YSOVA but cannot do so due to financial constraints are eligible to receive scholarship assistance from the organization annually.

The candidate must be enrolled in the Visual Arts Program at the full-time level and have a grade point average of at least a B for the previous autumn semester.

WhiteHorse Motors Visual Arts Award

Whitehorse Motors is the official Ford dealership serving Whitehorse and the surrounding area. They are also active sponsors and volunteers in the community, and they offer a $1,000 award to a student enrolled full-time in a visual arts program at YSOVA. Whitehorse Motors is the recipient of the YSOVA Whitehorse Motors Visual Arts Award.

10. Sheridan College, Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design

Regarding Canadian universities, Sheridan College is at the top of the list. Various courses in animation, design, and digital media are provided.

Students may learn the skills needed to adapt to a dynamic global economy and cultural landscape at the Faculty of Animation, Arts, and Design. Animators, VFX artists, and video game designers may all find useful training here. The faculty also provides dedicated training courses for individuals considering a career in computer animation or video game development.

Students accepted into an undergraduate degree or diploma program at Sheridan College may apply for a scholarship. Among them are:

The annual Animation Department Scholarship awards up to $5,000 to be used toward tuition and living costs. It recognizes outstanding students who have shown strong promise for future achievement in their chosen fields.

The David Bouchard Memorial Scholarship may cover all four years of college tuition for students who show financial need and academic performance. Anyone who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada at the time of application is eligible, although it is restricted to those who live in Ontario.

Students who show financial need and academic success are eligible to receive a Graphic Design Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 per year for up to four years to go toward tuition costs.

If you’re interested in attending one of the top 10 art schools in Canada, you can find the information and scholarship opportunities above.

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