Answers to frequently asked questions about the Vancouver Island School of Art. Frequently Asked Questions What makes VISA unique? What does being an independent and contemporary art school mean? The Vancouver Island School of Art is the only art school in downtown Victoria. The school is open to all members of the community aged 18 and upwards. People can take individual courses and workshops or participate in a one-year Certificate of Visual Arts program. VISA courses focus on development of technique, personal expression and making art in a contemporary context. All the faculty are practicing artists with a minimum of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and teaching experience. VISA's Certificate of Visual Arts program has been approved by the B.C. Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training. Do I need previous art experience to take a course at VISA? Most of the courses and workshops at VISA are open to people with no previous art experience. If a course does require “previous experience” this is indicated in the course description. What are VISA's hours of operation and when is the school closed? What if my class falls on a Public Holiday ·Office Hours Mon-Fri, 9:30am-5:00pm ·Holiday Hours The school is closed on Statutory Holidays. ·If your course is on a day that a Public Holiday falls, class will not be held on that day and a make-up class will be scheduled on the same day of the week during the mid-term break. When can I view an exhibition in the Slide Room Gallery? The Gallery is open for viewing during the week when classes are not in session, or by appointment. Check with the office to confirm. When there is an opening and artist talk on a Saturday the exhibition is open to the public between 1-4pm. For more information: https://slideroomgallery.com/ I would like to teach a course or workshop at VISA. How do I apply? You are encouraged to submit a proposal outlining what you want to teach and submit a CV. For more information review our employment opportunities. Are VISA's courses tax-deductable? Students enrolled in the Certificate of Visual Arts program are issued a T2202 (Tuition and Enrolment Certificate) in February for tuition paid for program courses. Courses taken outside of the Certificate program and workshops are not eligible. Is VISA a Registered Charity? How do I donate to VISA and what can I donate? Monetary donations can be made through our website, by phone, or in-person. You can also donate to VISA through the PayPal Giving Fund and CanadaHelps. As a charitable organization VISA issues a tax receipt for donations over $25. Tax receipts for automatic monthly donations are issued for the previous year in February. At this time VISA is not accepting donations of books or other supplies. What is VISA's Transmissable Disease Protocol? Vancouver Island School of Art’s protocol for planning and conducting safe school operations is informed by recommendations from the BC Centre for Disease Control, WorkSafeBC, and the Go-Forward Guidelines from BC’s Public Post-Secondary Sector. This COVID-19 Safety Plan applies to Vancouver Island School of Art faculty, staff and students. Due to health risks posed by exposure to COVID-19, it is mandatory that all faculty, staff and students take reasonable actions to eliminate or minimize their exposure to the virus to reduce the likelihood of transmission. As the pandemic is ongoing additional policies may be added or adjusted according to orders of the Provincial Health Officer. Announcements will be made to keep faculty, staff and students up-to-date. Vaccine passport and photo ID are no longer needed for courses, workshops and events at VISA. Masks are preferred. School Questions Can the Certificate of Visual Arts be transferred to a University degree program? VISA's Certificate of Visual Arts is transferable to the second year of the: ·Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Media Arts or Bachelor of Design degree at EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN ·Bachelor in Arts, Major in Fine Arts Degree at the VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY Students planning to transfer to one of these institutions upon completion of the Certificate program should check that university’s calendar, as the application process begins partway through the school year. VISA does not automatically send transcripts; students should contact the office to request official and interim transcripts. Can I take courses without enrolling in the Certificate program? Yes! VISA’s courses and workshops are open to all adults. I would like to study at VISA as an international student, how to I acquire a study permit? Students should start by following the admission requirements on the Certificate program page. Upon acceptance into the Certificate of Visual Arts program international students may apply for a study permit through the Government of Canada website. Processing times can vary, so students should apply early. Travelers visiting Victoria and those joining us online from around the world are welcome to take individual courses and workshops outside of the Certificate program without a study permit. Does VISA offer online courses? Yes. Up to 50% of the school’s courses and workshops are taught online (synchronous) via Zoom. Recordings are provided after each class. Do you offer drop-in sessions? VISA offers two online drop-in sessions and they are both offered on a bi-monthly basis: Watercolour Mondays and Draw by Drawing. VISA does not have life drawing drop-in sessions. Check our Special Activities page for pop-up drop-in sessions. How do I register for courses or workshops? VISA courses and workshops are open for registration on a rolling basis throughout our Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer terms. We are currently registering students for both In-person (as COVID-19 restrictions allow) and Online courses. Please review our website to learn about our course selections for each term. You can register online through our website using either PayPal, VISA or Mastercard. If you would prefer to have one of our staff assist you to register, please email or call our office. Do you offer classes for youth? VISA does not offer classes for youth, however we recommend the Cedar Hill Rec Centre or the Art Gallery of Victoria. Young adults that are 15+ are welcome to take our Saturday Workshops if they are ok with being in a class of adults. How do I apply for financial aid? The Vancouver Island School of Art is a designated institution with Student Aid BC. Students registered in the Certificate Program are eligible for loans from the British Columbia Student Assistance Program. The fee payment deadline is no later than one week prior to the start of classes. To meet this deadline, it is recommended that Student Loan application forms be completed and mailed to SABC by June 30. If fee payment or written confirmation of loan approval by SABC is not received by the deadline, students will then be responsible to pay 50% of their fees to secure their registration in courses. The remaining 50% is due by September 30. If these conditions are not met, the student may be de-registered from courses. Can I purchase a gift card? Gift Cards are available for purchase on our site. Select the Gift Card button under the School Info tab. Gift Cards purchased on the site may be used as a form of payment for courses and workshops. Gift certificates purchased through the office, prior to November 2022 can be redeemed by calling or emailing the school. Certificate & Courses Questions Have a question not listed here? CONTACT US

391e315b-b4f2-4bd8-85b3-912ba9d75865 Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Watercolour Flowers: Yellow - watercolour pan set or watercolour in tubes (recommended Winsor and Newton: blue, red, yellow, orange, violet, green) (if you already own watercolours bring what you have) - #10 round synthetic sable watercolour brush - #4 round synthetic sable watercolour brush (optional helpful for small details). - plastic tray for mixing colours (white plastic lids could suffice). - two containers of water - H pencil, eraser and sharpener - 9 x 12 watercolour sketchbook with 100% cotton paper, cold press, 140 lb is recommended (such as the Arches Watercolour pad). This pad is more expensive than the lesser quality pads but you will get better results and you can use both sides of paper. - paper towels Suggested place to buy art supplies: Opus Art Supplies, 512 Herald St, Victoria BC or order online: https://opusartsupplies.com/ You can consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

a29dce31-47d2-463c-bac8-43b2cac115df Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Drawing: An Expressive Approach Items required for the first class: • Graphite Pencils: B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B ... (soft) • Sketchbook or Drawing Papers and Drawing Board with Clips • Utility knife or Pencil sharpener Additional Items to be discussed during the first class: Calligraphy: • Calligraphy Pens • India Ink (black and/or Brown) • Watercolor paint brush (various sizes) Chalk or Conte: • Pastel Chalk (Black, White & Sanguine) Charcoal: • Vine and Willow Charcoal • Compressed Charcoal • Charcoal Pencil (soft, medium, hard) • White Charcoal Pencil • Conté Compressed Pencil (soft, medium, hard) • Conté Compressed Charcoal/sanguine color • Conté Compressed Pencil /sanguine color (soft, medium, hard) Pencil: • Graphite Pencils: B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B ... (soft) • Graphite Ebony Pencil • Flat Sketching Pencil • Woodless Graphite Pencil • Graphite stick 6B, 7B, 8B... • Colored Pencil Pens and Markers : • Roll-tip Pen (Microns or Artist’s Loft) • Brush Markers and Pens Erasers: • Vinyl eraser • Kneaded rubber • Yellow gum Drawing Papers : • Charcoal Papers • Drawing and Sketching Papers • Newsprint • Pastel Papers and Surfaces • Pen and Marker Paper Pads • Portable Sketchbook • Bristol Pad 18 x 24 • Newsprint Pad 18 x 24 Watercolor: • Watercolor (12 colors or more) • Watercolor paint brush (various sizes) Pastels: • Dry pastels • Oil pastels Miscellaneous: • Tackle box or carrying bag • Masking tape • Scissors • Utility knife • Pencil sharpener • Two bull dog clips • Metal or wood yard stick • Four or Five pieces of soft white wiping cloth cut into app. 10 x 10” piece • Workable fixative or hairspray (do not use it inside) • Drawing Board with Clips The Vancouver Island School of Art is delighted to have a partnership with Opus Art Supplies so please consider using this link and clicking on your course to purchase supplies from Opus Art Supplies: Partnership Page . You can also consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

114a70fb-9214-4df6-ae9e-bc646f57d461 Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Drawing Light and Shadow All supplies are provided for this workshop. The Vancouver Island School of Art is delighted to have a partnership with Opus Art Supplies. You can also consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

Drop-in in-person drawing sessions offered at the Vancouver Island School of Art on the last Sunday of every month, 2-4pm. Sunday Drawing We are launching an in-person drop-in drawing session starting November 27, 2-4pm. These sessions will be held once a month (usually the last Sunday of the month). Each session will include a new project and medium. For information on the topic for each session, visit the Draw by Drawing blog . Beginners welcome. All supplies are included. Cost: $20* Advanced Registration recommended as seats are limited. *Reduced rate of $10 or $5 available for those on limited income. Please call office to qualify for reduced rate. Location: 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria Note: Parking is across the street at the Johnson St Parkade (free on Sundays) Phone: 250.380.3500 Email us: info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Made possible in part by a grant by the Y.P. Heung Foundation and the City of Victoria . Vancouver Island School of Art is a contemporary art school located in Downtown Victoria open to adults of all ages. Your donation matters DONATE TODAY

0055a708-699d-4e15-8c1a-9624e6dbe406 Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Collage: Paper as Paint - Vogue Magazine (any issue): Vogue is ideal due to the high quality of images and designs (a second choice would be any fashion magazine)* - at least two large (21 g) high quality glue sticks (such as UHU permanent) - package of coloured cardstock such as Bright Essentials 8.5" x 11" Cardstock Paper by Recollections®, 200 Sheets, $14.99 (available at Michaels or Staples); any package of coloured cardstock 8.5 x 11” will suffice - pad of coloured construction paper (such as Crayola); construction paper is low quality but the more faded colours and rougher texture can work well to offset the bright cardstock - additional surfaces to work on: cereal boxes, cardboard boxes, mat boards, etc. (we will be using the coloured cardstock as surface as well as for collage but I encourage you to look around for other suitable “found” surfaces) - scissors (small embroidery scissors and larger shears) - x-acto knife and cutting board (optional) - collage papers (optional): any papers or magazines, books or calendars you might have around that could be used. *VISA has some magazines available for your use If you have questions about the supply list email wwelch@vancouverislandschoolart.com The Vancouver Island School of Art is delighted to have a partnership with Opus Art Supplies. You may consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

45ea6fac-2e3d-4edb-a291-9c4a5d3b0f96 Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - Oil Painting Primer All supplies are provided for this workshop. The Vancouver Island School of Art is delighted to have a partnership with Opus Art Supplies so please consider using this link and clicking on your course to purchase supplies from Opus Art Supplies: Partnership Page . You can also consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

e5cb4f9f-858c-4cf4-a62e-20840ae7e7a1 Vancouver Island School of Art 302-733 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7 250-380-3500 info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Supply List - The Contemporary Portrait Items required for the first class: - pen/pencil - sketchbook - colour pencils (assortment of colours) - a few sheet of Bristol (thick smooth paper), 9"x12" Additional items to be discussed during first class: - pencils: range from 4H - 8B - conté crayon (black, white, sanguine) - charcoal (compressed, vine) - white vinyl eraser - kneaded eraser - watercolours: travel sets or tubes (red, blue, yellow, violet, orange, green) - watercolour brushes - oil pastels (assortment of colours) - drawing board and 2 clips to hold drawing paper on board - paints, primary colours + black and white (choice of oil, acrylic or watercolour) - linseed oil, odourless paint thinner or turpentine (for oils) - containers for linseed oil/odourless paint thinner/turpentine (oils) or water (acrylic/watercolour) - 2 stretched canvases (they can range in size from 18"x24" to 36"x48") - artist's palette - rags or pieces of cloth for wiping paint brushes - small palette knife - various sizes of paint brushes The Vancouver Island School of Art is delighted to have a partnership with Opus Art Supplies so please consider using this link and clicking on your course to purchase supplies from Opus Art Supplies: Partnership Page . You can also consider an Opus A+ Membership, where students can sign up to save 10% on all orders during their studies: Sign Up For Opus A+ Membership .

Discover Eric Metcalfe's background and education. Vancouverite Eric Metcalfe has embodied the avant-garde "tradition" in Canadian art since at least the late 1960s. Born in 1940, he has worked as a painter, sculptor, printmaker, performance artist, illustrator and filmmaker, sometimes working under the name Dr. Brute. In 1973, he co-founded, in Vancouver, the pioneering artist-run centre Western Front. Over the years, he has drawn on a wide variety of influences, from jazz and comic books to conceptual and found art and movies. Metcalfe is a winner of the Governor General's Visual & Media Arts Award (2008). In 2010 he received a commission from the 'Cultural Olympiad' to create visual sculptures in collaboration with the renowned George Lewis musical score for 'ikons'. Metcalfe recently received (August 2015) an honorary doctorate from Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Member of the R.C.A. 2021 Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts University of Victoria Announcement of University of Victoria Honorary Doctorate Eric Metcalfe Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

Discover Wendy Welch's background and education. Biography Wendy Welch is a Victoria-based artist with a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University in Montreal. Wendy also completed a year of graduate work at California State University, Los Angeles. Wendy's art practice includes drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, art writing and curatorial work. Wendy has had solo exhibitions at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, the Richmond Art Gallery and Open Space, and has been included in group shows in Montreal, Calgary, Portland and Los Angeles. Her work was recently part of a group exhibition at the Victoria Arts Council called “Don’t Look Now” curated by Kegan McFadden. Wendy wrote weekly art columns for a local publication (Monday Magazine) from 2000-2007, and has had writing published in Canadian Art Magazine and Border Crossings. She has also written essays for several artist catalogues. Wendy has curated exhibitions at the Fran Willis Gallery, Open Space and currently curates for the artist-run Slide Room Gallery located in Vancouver Island School of Art. Wendy has taught at the Victoria College of Art, the University of Victoria and Camosun College. Wendy is Executive Director of the Vancouver Island School of Art (VISA), a private post-secondary accredited art school that Wendy founded in 2004. http://www.wendywelch.com Article in Boulevard Magazine Art Review in Coagula Magazine (Los Angeles) Education MFA University of Victoria BFA Concordia University Wendy Welch Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

Learn how the Vancouver Island School of Art protects you through our Privacy Policy. Privacy Policy LAST UPDATED OCTOBER 16/2022 What type of information do you collect? We receive, collect and store any information you enter on our website or provide us in any other way. In addition, we collect the Internet protocol (IP) address used to connect your computer to the Internet; login; e-mail address; password; computer and connection information and purchase history. We may use software tools to measure and collect session information, including page response times, length of visits to certain pages, page interaction information, and methods used to browse away from the page. We also collect personally identifiable information (including name, email, password, communications); payment details (including credit card information), comments, feedback, product reviews, recommendations, and personal profile. How do you collect information? When you conduct a transaction on our website, as part of the process, we collect personal information you give us such as your name, address and email address. Your personal information will be used for the specific reasons stated above only. Why do you collect such personal information? We collect such Non-personal and Personal Information for the following purposes: To provide and operate the Services; To provide our Users with ongoing customer assistance and technical support; To be able to contact our Visitors and Users with general or personalized service-related notices and promotional messages; To create aggregated statistical data and other aggregated and/or inferred Non-personal Information, which we or our business partners may use to provide and improve our respective services; To comply with any applicable laws and regulations. How do you store, use, share and disclose your site visitors' personal information? Our company is hosted on the Wix.com / Editorx.com platform. Wix.com provides us with the online platform that allows us to sell our products and services to you. Your data may be stored through Wix.com ’s data storage, databases and the general Wix.com applications. They store your data on secure servers behind a firewall. All direct payment gateways offered by Wix.com and used by our company adhere to the standards set by PCI-DSS as managed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which is a joint effort of brands like Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. PCI-DSS requirements help ensure the secure handling of credit card information by our store and its service providers. How do you communicate with your site visitors? We may contact you to notify you regarding your account, to troubleshoot problems with your account, to resolve a dispute, to collect fees or monies owed, to poll your opinions through surveys or questionnaires, to send updates about our company, or as otherwise necessary to contact you to enforce our User Agreement, applicable national laws, and any agreement we may have with you. For these purposes we may contact you via email, telephone, text messages, and postal mail. How do you use cookies and other tracking tools? If you don’t want us to process your data anymore, please contact us at info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Privacy policy updates We reserve the right to modify this privacy policy at any time, so please review it frequently. Changes and clarifications will take effect immediately upon their posting on the website. If we make material changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated, so that you are aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it. Questions and your contact information If you would like to: access, correct, amend or delete any personal information we have about you, you are invited to contact us at info@vancouverislandschoolart.com Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

The Vancouver Island School of Art offers art courses and workshops in drawing, painting, mixed media, textiles as well as art history and contemporary art. There's a place for you here. A learning community dedicated to the advancement of art education through comprehensive programs and presentations for adults of all ages About us Whether you want to take only one art course or complete a full-time program, there is a place for you at our school. We have courses for people with absolutely no experience as well as courses for artists who might want to learn new skills. Our classes are small -usually around 8-14 students per class. Our demographics vary from 18-80 so every course you take at VISA is a small microcosm of the world at large. When you take a course at our school you will find that you are part of a community. it is a great place to meet people and make friends. Within no time, you will feel right at home in our contemporary classroom space located in one of Victoria’s treasured downtown heritage buildings. Why choose the Vancouver Island School of Art Quality of Education The Vancouver Island School of Art (VISA) is an independent, non-profit art school that offers high-quality education in the visual arts. VISA has a rigorous academic program that emphasizes hands-on learning and individualized attention with experienced faculty who are practicing artists. VISA is designated by the Private Training Institutions Branch of the BC’s Ministry of Advanced Education. The school also has a British Columbia Quality Assurance designation which allows the acceptance of international students into the program. In addition, VISA has transfer agreements with Emily Carr University and Vancouver Island University. After completing a Certificate of Visual Arts at VISA, students can enter the second year of the BFA program at both these institutions. Specialized Curriculum VISA offers a one-year Certificate of Visual Arts that includes and courses in painting, drawing, photography, art history and contemporary art. All the courses at VISA art open to individuals not in a program who only want to take a course or two at a time. VISA also offers specialized workshops with local and visiting artists on Saturdays in the Fall and Winter semesters. Access to Resources VISA has a large well-ventilated and well-lit classroom space, a well-stocked art library and excellent downtown central location. VISA also shares their space with the Slide Room Gallery which is a separate non-profit society with its own Board of Directors. The gallery gives the students first-hand access to work of local Victoria artists. VISA also has strong connections to the local arts community, with partnerships and collaborations with local galleries and other arts organizations. Mentoring VISA’s Executive Director and other instructors are available for one-on-one mentoring whether students need help applying to university, or for grants or exhibitions. Community VISA is known for its strong community of artists, with a supportive and collaborative environment that fosters creativity and experimentation. VISA hosts regular exhibitions, lectures, and other events that bring together students, faculty, alumni, and the broader arts community. The Vancouver Island School of Art is a learning community dedicated to the advancement of art education through comprehensive programs and presentations for adults of all ages. The focus of the courses and workshops offered by the school is on technique, personal expression and contemporary context. Mission Statement OUR HISTORY 2004 The Vancouver Island School of Art (VISA) was established in 2004 by artist and educator Wendy Welch. VISA began in a commercial space in the Rock Bay area of Victoria. There were 54 students registered in the Fall 2004 semester, and by Winter 2005, VISA was out growing the 1000 sq. ft space on John Street with the student numbers increasing to over 125 registrations. 2005 By Fall 2005, VISA procured a de-commissioned school owned by School District 61 at 2549 Quadra. To rent a 9,000 square foot space that was purposed for a school was a dream come true. The two-storied building with large well-lit classrooms, office spaces and library room was a perfect fit a school with ever-increasing enrolment. The growing vibrant community of the Quadra Village was an ideal place for a new art school. In 2005 also came accreditation with the PCTIA (now PTIB, Private Training Institutions Branch) allowing VISA to offer programs such as a Certificate of Visual Arts and Diploma of Fine Arts. With options to take high quality courses and workshops in mornings, afternoons, evenings and on weekends, VISA appealed to a great number of people in the community. All of the faculty hired had Master of Fine Art degrees and teaching experience. Many of the MFA graduates from the University of Victoria were hired to teach at VISA. 2007 In 2007, the Slide Room Gallery was formed and located in the lower level of 2549 Quadra St. The gallery’s name came about because the room was formerly used to show slides during art history lectures. The gallery hosted many exhibitions, artists talks and community events over the years. At this time another program was added to the curriculum: Independent Studio, where a student would work on an independent body of work and exhibit the work at the end of the year in the Slide Room Gallery. 2012 In 2012, VISA acquired transfer agreements with Emily Carr University, Vancouver Island University and the University of Gloucestershire in the UK. Many of the students took advantage of these opportunities and moved to Vancouver and the UK to study. 2015 In 2015 to celebrate VISA’s 10-year anniversary, Xane St Phillip designed a razzle-dazzle painted mural for the outside of the building. The design was inspired by the “razzle dazzle” ships of WWI (the striped design was used as camouflage). This design gave the school a fresh new look and added much vibrancy to the neighbourhood. 2018 VISA was forced to leave the 2549 Quadra in the Spring of 2018 due to the school board needing the building for other uses. For a brief period, VISA was located at the former North Park Bike Shop at 1725 Quadra, however the space was much too small to accommodate the needs of the school and an alternate location was found at 950 Kings (the top floor of the former Blanshard Elementary School). VISA did some major renovations to the space and created two main classrooms and 24 studio spaces to rent out to artists in the community. Prior to the pandemic, the plan was for VISA to move into a purpose-built space in partnership with Aryze. With the uncertainty of what was happening with the pandemic, VISA decided to look for a smaller, more manageable space. 2021 As of June 2021, VISA moved into a downtown location in an historic building known as Maynard Court at 302-733 Johnson St. VISA continues to offer a range of courses and workshops for the general public, as well as a Certificate of Visual Arts which is transferable to Emily Carr University and Vancouver Island University . The new space is VISA’s permanent location. Quick links Faculty & Board All our regular faculty members have an MFA or MA Newsletter, Press & Archives Discover our press coverage and newsletters Our modes of study Certificate of Visual Arts One year full-time or a maximum of four years part-time Full-time Study duration: one year (consecutive Fall & Winter semesters) credit requirement: 504 classroom hours minimum course load: 21 hours per week (seven courses per semester) Important note for Full-time students: We encourage September intake for enrolment in the Certificate of Visual Arts, however some exceptions can be made regarding a January intake for this program. Students applying for the January intake must exhibit prior drawing and painting experience so that they can enrol directly into Drawing: Introduction II and Painting: Introduction II (as Drawing: Introduction I and Painting: Introduction I are not always offered in the Winter semester). Students must register for their courses by August 15 (Fall) and December 15 (Winter) to ensure placement in required courses. EMAIL US FOR QUESTIONS Full-time Study Part-time study Who is the Certificate of Visual Arts for? People who want to study art but have a limited amount of free time to do so (minimum hourly requirement per week is six hours) People who need to develop a portfolio for admission to an arts program at the university level People who are looking for a sense of direction or meaning in their life and would like to find this through art Professionals in other careers who want to enrich their lives through art People who have been taking art courses for several years and would like to start working towards a specific goal and complete a program The Certificate of Visual Arts provides basic training in the fundamentals of drawing, painting, mixed media, art history and contemporary art. Students will finish the Certificate of Visual Arts with a comprehensive and diverse portfolio package. The Certificate of Visual Arts can be completed within nine months (September-April full-time) or over a period of four years (part-time). TUITION & FEES APPLICATION FORM Admission Requirements 1. Copy of photo ID. 2. 6 images (jpegs) of applicant's original work done in the last two years. Images must be a minimum of 640 pixels or 8 inches wide, 72 dpi is fine as long as image width is at least 640 pixels wide. Images can be sent on a CD, flash drive or through a file sharing program such as YouSendIt, Dropbox, WeTransfer or something similar. Include a list of titles, mediums and size of each image (submitted as a separate PDF or Word document). If you are emailing material use the following email address: info@vancouverislandschoolart.com with 'Application Materials and Your Name' in subject line. 3. 300-400 word essay describing your reasons for pursuing the Certificate Program. (submitted as a PDF or Word document) 4. Proof of high school graduation or mature student status (19 years or over and completion of english 12 or completion of BC Provincial english 12 exam with a minimum 60% or 'C' grade); or proof of post-secondary education (transcript). 5. Applicants whose first language is not English, are required to provide proof of completion of the TOEFL English Language Test (or equivalent) with a minimum of 70% on the results. Applicants who have completed a Degree, Diploma or Certificate from an English-speaking University, College or other Post Secondary Education Institution, will be exempt from having to provide an English Proficiency Test. 6. Completed application form with $50 application fee ($100 application fee for International students). Payment can be made by Paypal, E-transfer(director@vancouverislandschoolart.com), Interac or Credit Card (Mastercard or Visa). Application deadline: you can apply any time and applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis (students wishing to apply for student loans will need to apply early to have their funding in place). Application Assessment Applications are assessed based on the quality of artwork submitted, the written document expressing reasons to attend the program and applicant's previous academic record. Assessment of artwork: Artwork is judged based on the applicant's knowledge of art techniques and use of materials; originality of expression; and ability to photograph their work in a professional-looking manner. The school is looking for applicants that have a strong interest in visual art and whose work reveals a level of engagement with artmaking. Assessment of written statement: The written statement required in the application process is used to assess the applicant's interest in art and also to see their English language writing skills as part of the program includes written assignments University Transfer Agreements VISA's Certificate of Visual Arts is transferable to the second year of the: ·Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Media Arts or Bachelor of Design degree at EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN. ·Bachelor in Arts, Major in Fine Arts Degree at the VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY. Mature Student Status Applicants who are 19 years of age or older who lack the minimum program admission requirement may apply as mature students. The Director will consider written requests for admission as a mature student. Applicants are asked to provide, in writing, details of other qualifications or experiences and documents from any completed educational courses or programs. The Director may request an interview. Academic Advisement If you would like to discuss your future studies at the Vancouver Island School of Art, please call 250-380-3500 or email info@vancouverislandschoolart.com for assistance in choosing or registering for courses. Required Courses FALL SEMESTER: Drawing: Introduction I Painting: Introduction I Understanding Colour Art History Contemporary Art I Elective (36 hr course) Elective (36 hr course) WINTER SEMESTER: Drawing: Introduction II Painting: Introduction II Design Art History Contemporary Art II Elective (36 hr course) Elective (36 hr course) The Vancouver Island School of Art is a Designated Learning Institution registered with the Government of Canada. DLI# O111345278377 The Certificate of Visual Arts program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training. Individual Courses and Workshops On-going, no application required The courses at VISA focus on drawing, painting, collage, art history and contemporary art. However, we also offer courses and workshops in mixed media and fibre arts. DISCOVER ALL Individual Courses All Services Painting Drawing Mixed Media Art Fundamentals Art History, Theory Fall Workshops Winter Workshops Acrylic Painting Basics Learn basic paintings techniques in this welcoming course for beginners. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Fantastical Gardens with Gouache Be inspired to use gouache by learning how a range of artists visit the garden as subject. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Landscape Painting Now I Bring your landscape painting to a new level by looking at contemporary landscape artists. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Painting Inspired by Photographs Discover how you can use photography as a tool to make exciting and dramatic paintings. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Painting: Introduction I This course covers introductory techniques to painting with an emphasis on personal style. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Painting: Light and Space Enhance your paintings by understanding how to use light and space in an effective way. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Painting: Series Development Learn to develop a body of work based on a singular theme. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Painting the Figure This online course will use the timeless subject of the human figure as a source of painting. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Colour in Painting Learn how to use colour by studying master artists work throughout history CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Landscape Painting Now II Add new directions and approaches to your painting by looking at contemporary landscape artists CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Painting Inspired by Landscape Discover how the landscape remains an exciting source of inspiration for many painters CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Painting: Introduction II Develop your painting skills and discover your artist’s voice while exploring a range of subjects CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Painting: Light and Shadow Learn how light and shadow can add drama and excitement to your paintings CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Painting the Everyday with Gouache Your everyday life can provide endless subject matter for painting with gouache CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Painting: Thematic Approaches Discover more about your own artistic direction by focusing on a different theme matter each week CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Drawing for the Absolute Beginner Everyone can draw. This step-by-step course will prove this to you. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Drawing: Introduction I Learn a range techniques and approaches to drawing while discovering your personal expression. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Drawing the Canadian Landscape Use the diversity of the Canadian Landscape as a source for innovative and exciting drawings. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Modern Drawing: History and Practice Learn drawing techniques and approaches from early to mid-20th century artists. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Contemporary Drawing: History & Practice Learn new approaches and techniques to drawing through the study of other artists CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Drawing: Introduction II Expand your knowledge of drawing techniques and develop a personal approach to subject matter CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Drawing: Exploration of Materials Learn new drawing materials and methods each week while focusing on a variety of subject matter CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Drawing: Material and Concept Focus on how drawing materials can be used to express a range of contemporary ideas CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Drawing the Unconscious Let intuition, dreams and other unconscious thoughts guide your drawing subject matter CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Drawing: Urban Perspectives Ever since the early 1900s artists have loved to use the urban environment as a drawing subject CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Urban Sketching Get to know Victoria better by sketching what you see as you meander through the city streets CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Flora and Fauna Learn to use mixed media and collage by focusing on flowers, plants and animals. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Photography: A Mixed Media Approach Learn to use mixed-media to transform your photographs into rich multi-layered surfaces. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Textile: Mending, Unraveling and Weaving Learn how basic textile techniques such as crocheting and weaving are used in contemporary art. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Understanding Colour Make your paintings look alive by learning how to colour works. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Design: Principles & Elements An understanding of design will make all your artwork more exciting and sophisticated CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now The Renaissance to Industrial Revolution Study the way art and the world changed through three centuries from the 1500s to the 1800s. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Art History: The 20th Century Discover the fascination history behind what makes the art of today CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Contemporary Art I Discover that contemporary art can be fun, exciting and mind-enriching in this seminar course. Ended CAD575 CA$575 VIEW COURSE Contemporary Art II Awaken your mind to the often-surprising world of contemporary art in the 21st century CAD575 CA$575 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now How to Mix Media Instructor will introduce different media and processes to create multi-layered surfaces. Ended CAD185 CA$185 VIEW COURSE Landscape Painting Simplified Learn how to turn any landscape image into simple shapes for painting. Ended CAD75 CA$75 VIEW COURSE Oil Basics Learn the basics of oil paint to get you started with this versatile painting medium CAD185 CA$185 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Birds: Pen, Ink and Watercolour Discover how to approach drawing and painting some of your favourite birds CAD95 CA$95 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Fantastical Flowers with Gouache Available Online Learn to make simple yet beautiful floral arrangements with velvety gouache paints CAD75 CA$75 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Landscape Painting Simplified The secret to successful landscape paintings is breaking down what you see into simple shapes CAD135 CA$135 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Collage: Colour & Composition Let play and experimentation with paper and glue guide your way to exciting collages CAD185 CA$185 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Watercolour Flowers: Yellow Available Online Brighten up your afternoon by focusing on painting a variety of yellow flowers CAD75 CA$75 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Make Colour Work for You Let the colour wheel be de-mystified as you discover simple ways to approach using colour CAD135 CA$135 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Chinese Brush Painting Learn how the basic techniques of Chinese brushwork can be source for beautiful paintings CAD185 CA$185 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Design Practice: Abstract Expressionism Learn how to make expressive lines and organic shapes the basis of a successful composition CAD95 CA$95 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Watercolour Flowers: Blue Available Online Express your love of the world’s favourite colour with an afternoon painting blue flowers CAD75 CA$75 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Painting with Gouache Learn everything you need to know about the mysteries of painting with gouache CAD135 CA$135 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Pastels and Plants Available Online Discover the excitement of pastel processes such as blending, smudging and erasing CAD75 CA$75 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Watercolour Skies Let all those beautiful skies you see every day become an endless source for paintings CAD95 CA$95 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Painting Abstract Botanicals Use historical botanicals illustrations to make playful compositions with abstracted plant shapes CAD185 CA$185 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Design Practice: Geometric Abstraction Learn how to use geometric shapes to create exciting and dramatic compositions CAD95 CA$95 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Watercolours Inspired by Cezanne Available Online Take time to be inspired by Cezanne’s subtle and elegant watercolour landscapes CAD75 CA$75 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Drawing Nature Learn how to use nature as an endless source for drawing projects CAD135 CA$135 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Photo Walk: Downtown Victoria See Victoria in a completely new way as you travel through the city streets with your camera CAD75 CA$75 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS Vancouver Island School of Art is a contemporary art school located in Downtown Victoria open to adults of all ages. Your donation matters DONATE TODAY