The UTM and Sheridan joint Art & Art History program is the longest standing partnership of its type in Canada. It combines the study of art history at UTM with studio art courses at Sheridan Institute. Incoming students are enrolled immediately in a studio arts curriculum. The program offers six core studios that students complete in their initial two years of study: drawing, painting, sculpture/installation, print media, design and photography. In these studios, students are introduced to contemporary art practices through problem-based learning, which encourages a range of personal approaches and solutions to visual expression. In the upper-level studios, students go on to further expertise in two of the core-studio streams, developing a body of self-directed artwork in a class environment of discussion and exchange.
At UTM, students in the joint program enroll in Art History courses in the Department of Visual Studies. These courses provide students with the opportunity to engage in the academic study of art and architecture. Students will learn to analyze visual objects, considering their form, materials and techniques, meaning and historical and political contexts. Courses span the history of art from the ancient to the contemporary world, across Europe, North America and Asia.
Students graduate with two prestigious and practical credentials that reflect the program's dual focus: an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and a Diploma in Art & Art History from Sheridan. Students must achieve a minimum 2.0 GPA in order to be granted the Sheridan Diploma in Art & Art History.
- Degree options: specialist, major
- Degree requirements: visit the UTM Course Calendar.
- What courses will I take?: Art & Art History students take courses with the prefixes VST, FAS, FAH, and VCC. A full listing of these courses can be found by visiting the All DVS Courses page of this website.
2025 Graduating Students’ Exhibition dates: March 19 – April 11, 2025
Arelene San Augustin, Former Art & Art History Student
02.00
Alison S.M. Kobayashi, Former Art & Art History Student
01.03
Possibilities with an Art & Art History Degree
Many graduates of the Art & Art History degree go on to obtain a BEd and teach in the primary or secondary school system. Others have pursued graduate studies in studio art, art history, conservation, curatorial studies, architecture, or library science. A number of graduates are practicing artists who exhibit their work in artist-run centres, public galleries, and commercial galleries, locally and internationally. Graduates have also found success in commercial art, including graphic design, animation, illustration, web design and art direction. With its strong art history component, this program has enabled graduates to pursue administrative or curatorial positions in artist-run centres, galleries and museums, as well as work in art criticism and journalism.
Graduates interested in teaching at the primary or secondary levels should obtain the Teacher Education Application Service Instruction Booklet, the definitive guide for applying to a faculty of education in Ontario. Note that each faculty of education is completely autonomous in reaching its own admission decisions, and individually establishes teachable subject areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Resources
Art & Art History Program 2023-2024 Orientation Handbook »
Art & Art History Student Work »
Sheridan Faculty/Staff »