Fine Arts Certificate

Certificate
Type
Length
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Courses

Required courses

FINE-101
Art History I
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
Art history, a broad intellectual discipline, is central to the humanities. This introductory course examines, analyzes, and evaluates the major time periods, movements, and trends in visual arts (primarily painting, sculpture, and architecture) of both Western and non-Western civilizations from prehistory through the Late Medieval period. In addition to stylistic and structural components, students study historical, social, religious, political, technological, philosophical, and gender issues integral to the production and development of art.
FINE-102
Art History II
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
TEST Art history, a broad intellectual discipline, is central to the humanities. This introductory survey course continues examining, analyzing, and evaluating the major time periods, movements, and trends in the visual arts of both Western and non-Western civilizations from the Medieval period to the present. In addition to the stylistic and structural components of art, students will study historical, social, religious, political, technological, philosophical, and gender issues integral to the production and development of art.
FINE-103
Drawing I
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Lab: FINE-103L
Description
This intensive studio course introduces the methods, materials, and concepts of drawing, both as a visual language and for enhancing perceptual awareness. While investigating process and developing a critical vocabulary, students begin to translate immediate observations and ideas into two-dimensional form. In-class projects and assignments will encompass various aspects of drawing, while visual presentations and class discussion introduce students to contemporary and historical ideas of art and design. Evaluating and critiquing is discussed and incorporated into the course work.
FINE-104
Drawing II
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite: FINE-103 minimum C
  • Required Supporting Lab: FINE-104L
Description
This intensive studio course further explores the fundamentals of drawing explored in FINE 103. Exercises and projects are designed for students to continue work on perceptual and expressive drawing and hand/eye coordination. A variety of subject matter will be used, including live models. In-class projects and assignments will encompass various aspects of drawing, while visual presentations and class discussion introduces students to contemporary and historical ideas of art and design. Regular evaluations and critiques are part of the course work.
FINE-105
Painting
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite: FINE-109 minimum C
  • Required Supporting Lab: FINE-105L
Description
An introduction to various approaches to painting as a contemporary art practice where students learn the basic skills required to produce paintings. Assignments address topics related to formal, expressive, and historic/social issues of painting. Learners explore the language of materials pertaining to paint handling and surface as well as strategies of representation and development of imagery. Students will combine intellectual information with experimentation, sensory alertness, and practical paint mixing skills. In-class work and assignments will be reviewed in critiques.
FINE-106
First Nations Art Design Tech
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Lab: FINE-106L
Description
This course will focus on the forms and techniques of Pacific Northwest Coast First Nations contrasting and comparing them to similar techniques used by other Canadian Aboriginal Peoples. These artistic techniques, both traditional and contemporary, will be used to create functional and aesthetic objects. Examples will be discussed linking the artistic forms to oral history and the clan structure of First Nations societies in the region. Technical hands-on instruction is balanced with access to First Nations traditional materials and studio-based art practises.
FINE-107
Intro to Digital Arts & Media
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Lab: FINE-107L
Description
Learners will further develop image-making skills and ideas about pictorial space in a digital environment, along with the historical and conceptual connections between digital technologies and contemporary art. Instruction will include the use of computer graphics software and hardware, digital input, image processing, and digital output. Content will also include computer concepts such as the relation of analogue to digital, bitmap and vectorbased images, resolution, and archiving work. Learners will create a digital portfolio of their work.
FINE-109
Colour Theory
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Lab: FINE-109L
Description
This is a course on understanding and using colour, focusing on colour applications for visual art and design, the principles of colour theory and visual perception, and the cultural dimensions of colour. Using colour, students work with acrylic paint to explore visual arts and design ideas and concepts. Through the study of cultural history, students increase their understanding of the role of colour in art and life. The course includes lectures, demonstrations, studio projects, and group and individual critiques.

English choice

ENGL-103
Composition & Style
Typical Offerings
Timing All Terms, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
A study of grammar, composition, and style. A vigorous program of essay-writing plus a variety of writing assignments or exercises dealing with specific problems in essay-writing. Strongly recommended for students who wish to improve their writing skills.
ENGL-113
Writing and Communication
Typical Offerings
Timing All Terms, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
ENGL 113 introduces students to the principles and practices of effective written and oral communications in English as applied in current academic, business, and technical contexts in university course levels. Instruction will emphasize grammar, punctuation, style, and presentation as important elements applied to a wide variety of writing and speaking situations: e-mail, letters, reports, and instructional and persuasive talks. Research strategies will be practiced.

FINE-108
Making a Living As an Artist
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
A practical study for emerging graphic and fine artists of the varied activities and professional practices involved in making a career in the art world. Students will create an art portfolio (curriculum vitae, artist statement, biography); identify different kinds of art galleries (public, private, and artist-run); and market their work (events, social media, press releases). Topics covered include finance, business, teaching and public speaking, health and safety, and framing and documenting artworks.

Entry Requirements

While it wasn’t always easy combining classroom time and field trips on top of the hours for studying and homework, it’s been great to gain so much hands-on experience during the courses.

Michelle Lindemann
Civil Engineering Technology

I like the problem-solving nature of millwrighting. I love how diverse the trade is. There’s always something new and different to work on.

Dusty Cathcart 2026
Vanderhoof Industrial Mechanic

This program gives you the ability to have a lot of hands-on time in the clinic where you can practice the skills you are learning and get a bit of an idea of what it is like to be a dental assistant.

Jordyn Karl
Dental Assistant Certificate Student

Taking this program is one of the most exciting things I could've done. It helped me grow into a professional, while also growing personally. I have carried my knowledge forward and will always hold the program and faculty close to my heart.

Janessa Sigurdson 2025
Accounting and Finance

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