News and events

As one of the top fine arts schools in Canada, we have a vital impact on culture both at home and abroad. We also host over 200 events a year, both on- and off-campus. Read our blog for all the latest Fine Arts stories, follow for breaking news on Twitter or find us on or Instagram.

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Media archive

As acknowledged experts in fields ranging from classical and popular music to art history, digital media, pop culture and so much more, our faculty are frequently in the news. Catch up on our expert opinions by visiting our media archive, which offers story briefs and links to media coverage.

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Canada Council Director & CEO Michelle Chawla in conversation with Visual Arts Chair Megan Dickie
While imported goods are the main focus of the current tariff concerns, let’s not forget about how Canadian culture fits into the economic frame: with $60 billion in annual GDP contributions, 850,000 jobs nation-wide and an enviable legacy as global cultural ambassadors, Canada’s arts sector is a vital part of the national fabric and should be supported as much as home-grown veggies or Hawkins Cheezies. This was the message shared by Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada Director & CEO Michelle Chawla during her recent 2-day visit to UVic, where she met with faculty, students, community members and local arts leaders, as well as attended some of our cultural programming. “We’re not doing this alone: we’re part of a dynamic arts ecosystem ... and universities are an important part of this world,” Chawla said while in conversation with Visual Arts professor Megan Dickie (left). “We need to tell the story of what the arts bring to our communities and why that matters. Every sector struggles, so instead of telling the instability story, we need to focus on impact stories.” UVic is an essential part of that story: home to BC's only stand-alone fine arts faculty, we're busy training the next generation of arts practitioners, cultural leaders and creative researchers, and equipping them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in an ever-challenging world.
Orion Lecture: Screenwriter Michael MacLennan, Feb 2024
Screenwriter, producer, playwright & UVic alumnus Michael MacLennan gave this Orion Lecture to UVic's Faculty of Fine Arts on Feb 8, 2024: “How to Kick an Elephant: A Border Town Survival Guide”. Michael MacLennan has been nominated seven times for the Writers Guild of Canada Canadian Screenwriting Award, and received the WGC’s 2018 Showrunner of the Year Award. A producer of nearly 300 episodes, his credits include co-executive producer of Queer As Folk (Showtime/ Showcase), creator and EP of Godiva’s (CityTV), co-EP on Flashpoint (CBS/CTV), Bitten (Space) and the hit series The Fosters (ABC/Freeform). He co-created and show-ran Bomb Girls (CBC), which was twice nominated for Best Series by the Canadian Screen Awards and honoured as Outstanding Dramatic Series by the US Gracie Awards. He served as executive producer and showrunner of The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco (ITV/Britbox) and, most recently, created Tiny Pretty Things for Netflix, which was their number-one series worldwide for 14 days. Michael received a degree in English Honours at UVic and, as an award-winning playwright, began his writing career in Victoria. A two-time nominee for the Governor General’s Award for English-Language Drama (The Shooting Stage and Last Romantics), he has also written two operas with Canadian composer Jeffrey Ryan.
Distinguished Women Scholar: "Critical Conversations About Collections"
This roundtable discussion was filmed as part of the Distinguished Women Scholar event on Jan 27, 2024. Panelists include Lynda Gammon (Professor Emeritus, Visual Arts, UVic), Ry Moran (Associate University Librarian, Reconciliation, UVic), Heather Igloliorte (Canada Excellent Research Chair, Decolonial and Transformational Indigenous Arts Practices, Visual Arts, UVic), Dorian J. Fraser (PhD candidate, Art History, Concordia), Alice Ming Wai Jim (Concordia University Research Chair in Critical Curatorial Studies & Decolonizing Art, Art History, Concordia), Anne Dymond (Associate Professor of Art History, Art, Lethbridge) plus moderator Carolyn Butler Palmer (Legacy Chair in Modern & Contemporary Arts of the Pacific Northwest, Art History & Visual Studies, UVic)
Distinguished Women Scholar: Dr Anne Dymond on "Getting the Keys to the Vault"
Dr. Anne Dymond, Associate Professor of Art History, Department of Art, University of Lethbridge, speaks on "Getting the Keys to the Vault: How feminist, decolonizing and anti-racist work is changing collections." This Distinguished Women Scholar lecture was presented as part of the "Latent: Critical Conversations about Collections" event presented by UVic's Department of Art History & Visual Studies at UVic's Legacy Galleries on January 27. 2024. Anne Dymond's book, "Diversity Counts: Gender, Race, and Representation in Canadian Art Galleries" has been described as “a path-breaking study and an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the contemporary art scene in Canada.” She is an Editor at RACAR: Revue d’Art Canadienne/Canadian Art Review and Treasurer of the Universities Art Association of Canada. She has been awarded the University’s Senate Volunteer Award and the Lethbridge YWCA Women of Distinction Award for her work bringing refugees to Lethbridge.

See more videos from the Orion Lecture series playlist on YouTube.