School of Art

School of Art

The School of Art at the University of Manitoba offers dynamic programs where students gain hands-on experience across a broad range of artistic disciplines. Our focus is on preparing students for a successful career in the arts at a time when creativity, critical thinking and complex problem solving are in greatest demand.

Alumni of our MFA, BFA, Diploma of Art and BFA in Art History programs have gone on to thriving careers as visual artists, curators, designers, art historians, gallerists, educators, arts administrators, cultural workers and many other professions in media and technology.

Student working

School of Art

Wide gallery view of a large installation: three paintings of hands reaching upward beneath a suspended net of shredded paper that spills onto the floor.

School of Art Gallery

The physical and philosophical gateway to the ARTlab, the SoA Gallery serves academic and broader communities through its exhibition and outreach programming, publishing and collecting activities. 

Learn more about the SoA Gallery

School of Art facilities

The School of Art offers wide-ranging facilities to support students’ creative output, many of which are accessible 24/7

  • Large-format digital print shop
  • Large new darkroom and wet lab spaces
  • Extensive sculpture fabrication facilities
  • Comprehensive ceramics area with newly built wood-fired kiln
  • MAC lab and private editing suites
  • Sound stage
  • Print media studio equipped for a broad range of print and papermaking processes
     

ARTlab

The new hub of the School of Art, this award-winning structure houses studios for drawing, painting, studio photography, video and print media, the MAC lab, smart classrooms for art history and studio lectures, the School of Art Gallery, the School’s administrative offices.
 

Art Barn

The Art Barn provides vast spaces for painting and ceramic classes, as well as private studios for advanced students.

Taché Hall and Media Crib

Creators and Scholars in Visual Art, Music, and Theatre share space in this dynamic building. 

Sculpture and Ceramics building

This purpose-built facility houses three-dimensional media, ceramics, and sculpture courses.

Learn more about our facilities
An upper level view of a staircase with students studying in the ArtLab building.
A student looks at another's work inside one of the spacious drawing studios.
The spacious painting space inside the Art Barn with large easels placed around the room.
The main front entrance of the Tache Hall building.
Interior view of the sculpture building with various pieces of equipment placed around the room.
Faculty members and student engaged in a discussion around a green ceramic sculpture in a brightly lit gallery space.

Our faculty and staff

Learn from the best – Our acclaimed faculty and staff of practicing artists and scholars activate classroom learning and studio experience with their research, lectures, critiques, workshops, support, and community partnerships.

Meet our faculty and staff

Alumni accomplishments

The School of Art celebrated its centenary in 2013. This long standing commitment to advancing art education and supporting artists and scholars is demonstrated by the creativity and innovation of our graduates, many of whom have made their mark on the national and international scene.

Past students of the School of Art include:

  • Germaine Arnaktauyok
  • Betino Assa
  • Ian August
  • Daniel Barrow
  • Dee Barsy
  • Jackson Beardy
  • Eleanor Bond
  • Paul Butler
  • Dayna Danger
  • Jen Delos Reyes
  • Anna Binta Diallo
  • Michael Dumontier
  • Marcel Dzama
  • Erica Eyres
  • Ivan Eyre
  • Joe Fafard
  • Neil Farber
  • Mia Feuer
  • Lita Fontaine
  • Karel Funk
  • Ron Gabe (aka Felix Partz of General Idea)
  • Tim Gardner
  • Bruce Head
  • Takashi Iwasaki
  • Sarah Anne Johnson
  • Mary Kerr
  • Harry Kiyooka
  • Luther Konadu
  • Wanda Koop
  • Casey Koyczan
  • Gordon Lebredt
  • Winston Leathers
  • Laura Lewis
  • Micah Lexier
  • William Lobchuk
  • Marcelle Lussier
  • Jillian Macdonald
  • Ekene Emeka Maduka
  • Divya Mehra
  • Doug Morton
  • Grace Nickel
  • Joel Nichols
  • Freya Björg Olafson
  • Jon Pylypchuk
  • Don Proch
  • Przemek Pyszczek
  • Don Reichert
  • Dominique Rey
  • Lynn Richardson
  • Miriam Rudolph
  • Royal Art Lodge
  • Leesa Streifler
  • Elaine Stocki
  • Mary Ann Steggles
  • Reva Stone
  • Eva Stubbs
  • Jack Sures
  • Takao Tanabe
  • Tony Tascona
  • Diana Thorneycroft
  • Grace Eiko Thomson
  • Jackie Traverse
  • Chukwudubem Ukaigwe
  • Esther Warkov

Exhibitions and events

A person standing beside a seated visitor in a darkened gallery space, illuminated by dramatic spotlighting. The standing figure gestures toward a small white pedestal holding exhibition materials, while red seating and deep shadows frame the scene.

The School of Art actively hosts exhibits and presentations by professional artists and students in several spaces on campus. These exhibition spaces offer possibilities for teaching initiatives, research, and professional opportunities for our students. Many events are organized in collaboration with other institutions nationwide and with the Winnipeg art community. 

See what's happening!

News and stories

View more news and stories

Newsletter

Stay connected with the School of Art and School of Art Gallery. Join our mailing list to receive updates on upcoming exhibitions, events, artist talks, and more.

Newsletter Sign-up

Contact us

School of Art
313 ARTlab Building
180 Dafoe Road
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB  R3T 2N2

General Office Hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:30–4:30 pm
(Closed Statutory Holidays)

fineart@umanitoba.ca
204-474-9367
Toll free: 1-800-432-1960
204-474-7605