Art work displayed in table displays in the centre of the collections gallery

Explore UM

Art History (BFA)

The Art History program at the University of Manitoba's School of Art will provide you with critical research skills in the discipline of art history, with an emphasis on cultural comparisons, theory, study with original works of art, criticism and research methodologies.

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  • icon house

    Faculty/School

    • School of Art

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Bachelor of Fine Arts

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 2+ years

  • icon pathway

    Program options

    • Honours

Study at the School of Art

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Getting involved

As a School of Art student, there are countless ways to connect with the vibrant community. Student groups and field trips offer opportunities to build strong connections with your peers, while guest lectures and demonstrations from visiting scholars and artists provide fresh perspectives and insights. Studio and research assistantships, as well as gallery internships, allow you to gain valuable experience and earn income doing work you’re passionate about.

The student experience is further enriched through the Visiting Speaker lecture series, which brings Canadian and international artists, curators, critics, and art historians to campus. Students have access to the SoA Gallery collection of 5,000 historical and contemporary artworks, as well as the UM art collection of over 1,500 works. Multiple exhibition spaces provide unique opportunities for curation, collaboration, and dialogue, while the thriving art history program deepens the intellectual and cultural fabric of the community.

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 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.

School of Art facilities

Our wide-ranging facilities include bright and spacious painting, design and drawing studios, a large-format digital print shop, expansive darkroom and wet lab spaces, a microscopy lab–possibly unique in Canada, extensive sculpture fabrication facilities, comprehensive ceramics area with a built wood-fired kiln, MAC lab and private editing suites, a sound stage, and print media studio equipped for a broad range of print and papermaking processes. All available to support student creativity.

The UM Architecture/Fine Arts Library houses one of the largest collections on art, architecture, design and planning in Canada. The SoA Art History Resource Room has its own rich collection of journals and books as well as functioning as a hub for art history students. The Patricia Bovey Print Archives houses a collection reaching back to 1950 when the SoA joined the UM, and is an extraordinary resource for studying the medium. The UM Special Collections houses an extensive collection of rare books and archival material relevant to art and architectural research. Students also benefit from access to the extensive resources and course offerings of a U-15 university, including the Desautels Faculty of Music, the Faculty of Architecture, and programs in Indigenous Studies, Classics, Film, and Theatre within the Faculty of Arts.

Mentorship and Community

Programs at the School of Art emphasize intensive research, personalized mentorship, and active peer engagement. Students collaborate closely with accomplished artists and art historians who bring diverse perspectives, including Indigenous and Métis knowledge. Faculty are dedicated to supporting students’ unique goals, fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment for creative and academic growth.

Meet our faculty and staff

Exhibitions and events

With its own extensive collection and a more than 50-year archive of past shows, the School of Art Gallery is a hub of artistic expression on the Fort Garry campus.

The Student Gallery provides a space to exhibit your own work, curate your own shows (we offer intermediate and advanced courses in curatorial studies) and consider the work of your friends and colleagues at the school. 

 

Image right: Performance by Niki Saghari, MFA Thesis Exhibition, 2023

Winnipeg’s arts community

Winnipeg is a dynamic hub for art and culture, and the University of Manitoba’s School of Art is at its heart. With close ties to renowned venues like Plug In ICA, Urban Shaman, Martha Street Studio, aceartinc., and the Winnipeg Art Gallery–Qaumajuq, the School of Art thrives within the city’s rich creative community. This collaborative environment offers students unparalleled opportunities to engage with Winnipeg’s vibrant arts scene. Combined with the city’s affordability and diverse cultural landscape, Winnipeg and the School of Art provide the perfect space for artistic growth and innovation.

Getting involved

As a School of Art student, there are countless ways to connect with the vibrant community. Student groups and field trips offer opportunities to build strong connections with your peers, while guest lectures and demonstrations from visiting scholars and artists provide fresh perspectives and insights. Studio and research assistantships, as well as gallery internships, allow you to gain valuable experience and earn income doing work you’re passionate about.

The student experience is further enriched through the Visiting Speaker lecture series, which brings Canadian and international artists, curators, critics, and art historians to campus. Students have access to the SoA Gallery collection of 5,000 historical and contemporary artworks, as well as the UM art collection of over 1,500 works. Multiple exhibition spaces provide unique opportunities for curation, collaboration, and dialogue, while the thriving art history program deepens the intellectual and cultural fabric of the community.

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 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.

Three students look at drawings on a wooden table that is marked with colourful paint in front of a bright window. The window is facing the bus stop outside of the ARTlab.
A group of student gather around an art installation in discussion
Modern glass exterior of the ARTlab Building, UM
Faculty member Grace Nickel and Grace Han in conversation with student surrounding work
2023 MFA Thesis Performance by Niki Saghari
A sunset view of Winnipeg overlooking downtown and the Human Rights Museum.
Three students look at drawings on a wooden table that is marked with colourful paint in front of a bright window. The window is facing the bus stop outside of the ARTlab.
A group of student gather around an art installation in discussion

What graduates say about our program

Art History graduate Abby Burbank.

Abby Burbank

"One thing I learned about Winnipeg as a city is that it has a firm sense of its own history and culture, which makes it a wonderful place to study art history. My experience in the Art History program at the University of Manitoba prepared me to write effectively, think critically, and to make the most of any opportunity that comes my way."
Art History graduate Diane Lafournaise stands at a podium speaking at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Diane Lafournaise

"I don’t think any other faculty could have given me the ability to study culture in such a multidisciplinary fashion. Over the years, I’ve worked in social services, educational and cultural sectors. I’m currently the Manager of WAG Studio at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and serve on the board of Art City. You never know what life has in store for you so follow your interests."
Art History graduate Jeff Thorsteinson.

Jeff Thorsteinson

"I registered for my first art history course at the University of Manitoba out of simple curiosity, but quickly became hooked on the remarkable subject matter and high quality of teaching offered by the program. In the years since I have left the School of Art, I have been consistently grateful for the solid education as to the history of ideas and culture that I received well there."
Art History graduate Laura Smith.

Laura Smith

"This program provided me with an excellent foundation of knowledge and with the support of my dedicated professors I was able to pursue further study at a graduate level. I would recommend this program to anyone with an interest in history, culture, and art."
Art History graduate Abby Burbank.

Abby Burbank

"One thing I learned about Winnipeg as a city is that it has a firm sense of its own history and culture, which makes it a wonderful place to study art history. My experience in the Art History program at the University of Manitoba prepared me to write effectively, think critically, and to make the most of any opportunity that comes my way."
Art History graduate Diane Lafournaise stands at a podium speaking at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Diane Lafournaise

"I don’t think any other faculty could have given me the ability to study culture in such a multidisciplinary fashion. Over the years, I’ve worked in social services, educational and cultural sectors. I’m currently the Manager of WAG Studio at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and serve on the board of Art City. You never know what life has in store for you so follow your interests."
Art History graduate Jeff Thorsteinson.

Jeff Thorsteinson

"I registered for my first art history course at the University of Manitoba out of simple curiosity, but quickly became hooked on the remarkable subject matter and high quality of teaching offered by the program. In the years since I have left the School of Art, I have been consistently grateful for the solid education as to the history of ideas and culture that I received well there."
Art History graduate Laura Smith.

Laura Smith

"This program provided me with an excellent foundation of knowledge and with the support of my dedicated professors I was able to pursue further study at a graduate level. I would recommend this program to anyone with an interest in history, culture, and art."
Art History graduate Abby Burbank.

Abby Burbank

"One thing I learned about Winnipeg as a city is that it has a firm sense of its own history and culture, which makes it a wonderful place to study art history. My experience in the Art History program at the University of Manitoba prepared me to write effectively, think critically, and to make the most of any opportunity that comes my way."
Art History graduate Diane Lafournaise stands at a podium speaking at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Diane Lafournaise

"I don’t think any other faculty could have given me the ability to study culture in such a multidisciplinary fashion. Over the years, I’ve worked in social services, educational and cultural sectors. I’m currently the Manager of WAG Studio at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and serve on the board of Art City. You never know what life has in store for you so follow your interests."
Art History graduate Jeff Thorsteinson.

Jeff Thorsteinson

"I registered for my first art history course at the University of Manitoba out of simple curiosity, but quickly became hooked on the remarkable subject matter and high quality of teaching offered by the program. In the years since I have left the School of Art, I have been consistently grateful for the solid education as to the history of ideas and culture that I received well there."
Art History graduate Laura Smith.

Laura Smith

"This program provided me with an excellent foundation of knowledge and with the support of my dedicated professors I was able to pursue further study at a graduate level. I would recommend this program to anyone with an interest in history, culture, and art."
Art History graduate Abby Burbank.
Art History graduate Diane Lafournaise stands at a podium speaking at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Art History graduate Jeff Thorsteinson.
Art History graduate Laura Smith.
Art History graduate Abby Burbank.
Art History graduate Diane Lafournaise stands at a podium speaking at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Art History graduate Jeff Thorsteinson.
Art History graduate Laura Smith.
Art History graduate Abby Burbank.
Art History graduate Diane Lafournaise stands at a podium speaking at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Art History graduate Jeff Thorsteinson.
Art History graduate Laura Smith.

Program details

The Art History program offers students an opportunity to consider, in a cultural context, both Western and non-Western artistic traditions with an emphasis on the former from the Renaissance to the present. While all courses acknowledge methodological issues, the program also offers courses in art theory and criticism at the second- and third-year levels. Students enrolled in this program broaden their knowledge of art production with studio electives.

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Expected duration: 2 years (plus qualifying year)

In your first year, you will gain knowledge about the development of art worldwide from the prehistoric period to the present, learning about artists, art movements, directions, styles, and social contexts.

Second year courses offer concentration in specific areas such as the Medieval to Renaissance era, the Renaissance to the Baroque, the Modern to the Contemporary as well as courses that have a single focal area such as Indigenous Art History, Women in Art History, and Art Writing. 

As you progress through your degree, more defined curriculum related to one artistic movement or era will be explored, such as Contemporary Art, Canadian Art History, Bauhaus, Art in New Media, History of Photography, History of Ceramics, Islamic Art, and Curatorial Studies. Special Topics courses address faculty and student interests in current issues and new approaches to the discipline of art history. Seminar courses such as Contemporary Indigenous Art and Manitoba Modernism focus on student-driven discussions.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours

Expected duration: 3 years (plus qualifying year)

The BFA Honours degree allows you to complete an additional year of study including art history and optional studio electives.

To transfer into the honours program, you must first successfully complete 69 credit hours of study in the Art History general program, with a degree GPA of 2.5. If you are a current student and wish to transfer to the BFA Art History honours program, please contact the School of Art Student Advisor.

A man stands in front of a piece of artwork, students gather around and listen to him speak about the piece.

First year field trip

This required course for students in the School of Art provides an opportunity to directly experience many of the art works that they will study during their first year at the School. The course allows students to focus on key works of historical importance on exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Weisman Art Museum (designed by Frank Gehry) and the Walker Art Center.

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements for entry into the BFA Art History program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

The Art History BFA is an advanced entry program, which means that you must complete at least one year of university-level study, including several required and recommended courses, before you can be considered for admission. 

If you do not meet the requirements for advanced entry into the Art History BFA program, you may be eligible for admission to the Faculty of Arts or another degree program. If you have not attended university before, you can apply for a program with direct entry, such as University 1.

To qualify for admission to the Art History BFA Honours program, you must first be accepted into the general Art History BFA program.

How to apply

Domestic student application fee: $100
International student application fee: $130

Applications to the University of Manitoba are completed online. To begin your application, select the Start or continue your application button. The online application includes several parts, and you may be required to submit transcripts, proof of English Language proficiency, and other documents. The Art History program does not have a portfolio requirement.

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Direct entry students are current high school students or people who have already graduated from high school but who have completed fewer than 24 credit hours of post-secondary level study.

Advanced entry students are those who have already completed 24 or more credit hours of post-secondary level study.

Annual application deadlines
Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the winter term is on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

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Contact us

Admission and application inquiries

Mailing address
Undergraduate Admissions
424 UMSU University Centre
University of Manitoba
65 Chancellors Circle
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

Office location
Room 424 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)

Submit a question
Phone: 204-474-8808
Toll-free: 1-800-224-7713 ext 8808

Program inquiries

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

Undergraduate programs: soadvise@umanitoba.ca

Graduate program: SoAGradPrograms@umanitoba.ca