Fine Arts

Fine Arts Co-op is optional for students studying:

• Art History and Visual Studies
• Cultural Resource Management
• Music
• Professional Writing
• Theatre
• Visual Arts
• Writing

How to join

You'll join co-op beginning in your second year. To join, you must:

• be registered in at least one of the following:
  • degree program (BA, BFA, BSc, BMus) in the Faculty of Fine Arts
  • Cultural Resource Management Program
• have completed your first year of study
• have a minimum B average
• be a full-time UVic student
• enrol in FA 201 either in the Fall or Spring term (Fine Arts graduate students are also eligible for co-op and will register for FA 501). Registration begins June 10. For the Fall intake, register by September 20.

International students: we recommend registering for the Fall HUMA 201/501 course to allow time to apply for your co-op work permit before your first work term.

After registering for FA 201 or FA 501, you'll be invited to complete the Humanities and Fine Arts Co-op Program Application. You'll receive confirmation of your acceptance into the program from the Humanities and Fine Arts co-op coordinator.

Once you're accepted

You will begin your co-op education through FA 201: Introduction to Professional Practice classes, which you'll take once before your first work term. Graduate students will complete FA 501: Introduction to Professional Practice classes. 

Your course will include 8 in-person, synchronous sessions, along with readings and assignments. 

The goal of the course is to give you baseline tools and skills to help you in your co-op (and later, full-time) job hunt. You'll learn about the hiring process, passive and active search options, résumé and cover letter writing, professionalism and ethics, interview skills, networking skills and how to be successful on your work term. 

Workshop times:  

• Fall 2024: Fridays 2:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. (October 4 – November 22) 
• Spring 2025: Friday 2:30 p.m. – 3:20 .p.m. (January 17 – March 7) 

Fees

Co-op students pay a co-op tuition fee for each work term. It's free to join co-op and attend the preparation course—you'll pay your tuition fee after you secure a co-op work term.

You'll pay your fees according to the same tuition fee deadlines as regular course fees.

Fees per work term for undergraduate students:

• domestic students: $776.20
• international students: $1,510.16

Fees per work term for graduate students:

• domestic students: $776.20
• international students: $976.27

Note that the graduate co-op tuition fee is different than the graduate installment fee. If you are a grad student and register for a co-op work term, during that term, you'll pay:

• the grad co-op program fee  
• the grad ancillary fees

If you register for a course (e.g. thesis 596 or 598) and a co-op work term in the same term, during that term, you'll pay:

• the grad co-op program tuition fee
• the course tuition fee
• the grad ancillary fees

Questions about co-op tuition fees? Email us or call 250-721-7032 for assistance.

Sample employers & jobs

During your co-op terms, you could work for: 

• government (municipal, provincial or federal)
• theatres
• galleries
• libraries
• arts groups
• non-profit organizations
• newspapers and publishers
• private companies (all sizes)

Job examples:

• 3D animation and digital media intern—Western Digital
• box office coordinator—Victoria Jazz Society
• curatorial assistant—Legacy Art Gallery
• junior analyst—Government of Canada
• marketing and development assistant—Open Space Gallery
• multimedia coordinator—Pacific Peoples’ Partnership
• production and editorial assistant—Harbour Publishing
• programming assistant—Maritime Museum of BC
• technical writer—SAP

Mel Granley (art history/visual studies)

UVic Indigenous studies and art history/visual studies student Mel Granley helped curate the Legacy Gallery's "On Beaded Ground" exhibit, which explores the essential role of Indigenous womens'...

Office & contacts

Our regular business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Office: Clearihue D128

Co-op coordinator:
Joy Andrews
hufaco@uvic.ca
250-721-7629

Co-op assistant:
Annette Bailey-Smith
hufacoop@uvic.ca
250-721-8841

Get support

We're here to support you with every step in your co-op journey, from applying to co-op to making sure you're supported at work. Contact your co-op coordinator or office for assistance.

If you identify as having a disability or a mental health condition, if you belong to an equity group, or if you identify as Indigenous, we have additional supports for your co-op experience.