In this program, you’ll take Integrated Media courses and at least two core studios courses centered on Life Studies. This specialization is perfect for you if you are interested in important topics like climate change, social and eco justice, and the connections between land, science, and art. You’ll explore these themes through interdisciplinary art approaches and from your own cultural and personal perspectives.
Throughout your studies, you will participate in workshops and demonstrations including mycelium and mushrooms, DNA workshops, bioplastics, plant growing and terrariums, salt crystal growing, artmaking onsite at permaculture farms and in local natural spaces, creating sustainable dyes, microscopy and cell painting and anatomical studies. You'll also have the chance to be part of local and international artistic residencies focused on land-based practices.
You'll be part of a close-knit community of students and faculty that supports your personal and cultural self-expression, helping you develop your artistic vision as you engage with critical global issues through a contemporary art lens. You'll also have the chance to participate in local and international artistic residencies focused on land-based practices.
Program Highlights
At the End of this Program...
At the end of this four-year program, you will earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree.
Admissions Requirements
- For Ontario high school students, a minimum overall average of 70%
- Portfolio
- Statement of Intent
- Official transcripts
- See detailed academic requirements here
Jobs You Can Get
Graduates of the program may work in the following fields:
- Artistic practice through a sustainability and cultural lens
- Environmental studies and creative practice
- Natural science and biomaterials research
- Landscape architecture
- Medical illustration and archival studies
- Arts administration and teaching
- Post-graduate education in the arts and sciences
- Entrepreneur
Internships & Experiential Learning
OCAD U offers so much more than co-ops because creative careers take many forms. Our career services help you build a professional community, valuable experience and skills you need for a meaningful career. Get access to:
- Short experiential learning placements from among hundreds of organizations
- Creative in-class projects with real-world industry partners
- Exclusive summer internships
- Gallery exhibitions of your work
- Freelance creative opportunities
- Jobs after graduation
What you'll do in the program...
Your first year at OCAD University will be in our first-year art program. You will have a choice of different kinds of classes to get a good base for future years. A few are mandatory, such as art history and drawing, but the rest of your classes could include:
- Life Studies, Nature and Culture
- Art and Social Change
- Sculpture
- Fabrication
- Photography
- Painting
- Animation
- Body and technology
- Printmaking
- Indigenous Sculpture Strategies
In second year, you will take Life Studies studio and can choose from other studio classes as well as a range of courses in anatomy, technology, biology, ecology, and sustainability, such as:
- Anatomy and movement
- Biology, Genetics and Climate Change Studies
- Art and Design Education Lab
- Material Exploration
- Life Study for Sculpture
- Nature, Culture and Environment
Third year will feature a focused Life Studies studio course, with opportunities for collaboration and group work. You’ll choose studio art courses based on your interest, as well as courses in art history, science, humanities, and social science.
In fourth year, all students will have the opportunity to do a culminating thesis or advanced studio class. You’ll gain knowledge through lectures, creating art, gallery visits and panel discussions. Professional Practice for Life Studies majors include a professional exhibition at a local gallery, full-colour catalogue of your work alongside an exhibition essay, in addition to opportunities to co-curate an exhibition.
You will showcase your work in GradEx, OCAD U’s Graduate Exhibition, the biggest free art and design exhibition in Toronto with over 40,000 visitors.
Minors
In all undergraduate programs, you can choose a minor to go along with your major. A minor gives you the opportunity to pursue a focused secondary field, helping you expand your practice, skills and knowledge. It can make you stand out to employers, graduate schools, or in grant applications by showing expertise in more than one field.
You don’t need to choose a minor on your application; once you start at OCAD U, you can choose from over 90 electives to build towards one of our 25 focused minors. Learn more about Minor Programs here.