Student Resources and Opportunities

The University of Alberta offers a vast array of student services, supports, and opportunities, so please investigate the Campus Life page for more information on student housing, mental and physical health services, and much more.

Learn more about important resources for Art & Design Students:


Strategies for Success

No matter what level of success you achieved in High School, the transition to University is likely to have a few bumps. Here are some of the most critical strategies you will need to get the most out of your program.

  • Time management: Whether you are working to make the best use of each three-hour studio class period, or how to schedule work on your ART H papers over the term, time management is critical.
  • Leave extra time for failure: On the technical side, your printer will inevitably run out of ink; your paint won't dry; the computer will freeze; the saw will break. If you always plan to finish a little early, you can cope with these challenges. On the creative side, we must embrace failure in our art, design and writing projects as a necessary and inevitable part of the creative research process. We encourage you to learn from these moments, rather than collapse!
  • Communicate with your instructors and advisors: If you something in your life is impacting your performance in your courses, we strongly encourage you to talk with your instructors/advisor. It's much better if we can work together when a problem begins rather than waiting until it becomes insurmountable. If you are having trouble with class material, and have done your best to understand on your own, please talk to your instructor.
  • Study skills: Each student has to develop the study skills that serve them best. It is possible that what worked for you in high school or in a different program may not work here-remember that we have people here to help! Visit the Academic Success Centre.


Art & Design Student Groups

We strongly recommend that you get involved with one or both of the Art & Design student groups as early as possible in your degree. This is a great way to forge connections with colleagues in other studio areas and years of our programs, and gain organizational, exhibition and leadership experience.

  • Student Design Association (SDA)
    The Student Design Association represents current undergraduate students and alumni of the University of Alberta, who have taken design courses during their degree.
  • Visual Arts Student Association (VASA)
    VASA, The Visual Arts Student Association, is a student group at the University of Alberta managed and run by students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program.


Art & Design Libraries and Collections

  • Rutherford Library has one of the best Art & Design collections in Canada. Although the internet offers endless research opportunities, getting lost in the stacks of Art, Design, history and theory texts is invaluable as well. Plan to visit Learn more about our Art & Design collections.
  • Bruce Peel Special Collections & Archives "house a world class collection of more than 100,000 rare books and a significant collection of archival materials which explore a range of local and international subjects." This is a great place to view artist's books and special exhibitions. Visit the Bruce Peel Special Collections.
  • There are 29 different museums and collections on campus. Visit the University of Alberta Museums.


Edmonton Art & Design Community

Edmonton's wide array of Art, Design and Visual Culture galleries, artist-run centres, collectives and initiatives make this a great city for Art, Design and Visual Culture students:

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Department of Art & Design
3-98 Fine Arts Building
University of Alberta Campus
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2C9

Office Hours:
Monday–Friday
(closed on stat holidays)

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Closed from 12:00–1:00 pm.

Visit our Contact Us page.

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