Career possibilities
Alumnus Mike McLean’s work references photography’s origins while challenging the predominant digital modes of image production today.
Alumna Marla Hlady is a celebrated sound artist and kinetic sculptor. Photo: Miguel Jacob.
Alumnus Kim Adams is considered one of Canada's leading contemporary sculptors. Photo: Henry Feather.
What can I do with a degree in visual arts?
The skills learned in visual arts are highly transferrable, well beyond the artistic community. An education with us will provide you with essential tools for today’s rapidly changing and increasingly visual world.
In visual arts, you learn how to go from creating a concept to making a finished product. Critical, creative thinking and collaboration are central to our programs and experiential learning is key to our approach.
Career options for visual art graduates
- Animator
- Architect
- Art director
- Artist
- Arts administration
- Conservator
- Creative entrepreneur
- Curator
- Events coordinator
- Exhibit designer
- Film production
- Modeller
- Photo/videographer
- Storyboard artist
- Teacher/instructor
- UI/UX designer
- Web designer
- Writer/publisher
More information from Co-op + Career Services (PDF)
Develop your career
- Attend career development workshops
- Explore résumé, cover letter and interview resources
- Meet with a career educator
- Work with community through volunteer opportunities
Search for work
Meet our BFA alumni (or our MFA alumni)
BMO 1st! Art Invitational national winner
Xiao makes navigational apparatuses that investigate the space between actions and consequences with the aim of shortening the distance between the two. Born in the 1400-year-old city of Urumqi, China, Xiao was the national winner of the 2017 BMO 1st! Art Invitational Student Art Competition for her walking camper sculpture. Currently an MFA candidate at the University of Guelph, she aims to slow down the overwhelming societal acceleration by negotiating autonomous rights with artificial bodily extensions.
BFA - 2017
Media Resources Technician
Originally from a small town in the Okanagan, Danielle moved to Victoria to study visual arts at UVic. Following graduation, she spent a year traveling and documenting her experience through photography. Now based in Vancouver, her independent practice focuses on sound and installation art.
BFA - 2012
Manager
A painter and sculptor, Maegan is interested in the complexities of relationships and the politics of the face—an open term for the affective potential of paintings in their address with the viewer. Whether abstract or representational, her work is a constellation of playful attempts at mimicking the complexities, awkwardness and humour inherent in everyday encounters. The 2011 BC winner of the 2011 BMO 1st! Art Invitational Student Art Competition, Maegen recently earned her MFA from the University of Guelph.
BFA - 2011
Owner & Director
After graduating from UVic, Emily gained extensive experience teaching art and ESL by directing children’s art camps and spending two years living in Taiwan. In September 2008, Emily was inspired to combine her education and experience with an entrepreneurial spirit and opened The Paint Box School of Art in Victoria’s Fernwood neighbourhood so she could continue to teach art to kids, teens and adults. Read more...
BFA (Honours) - 2005
Co-owner
In addition to a two-year term as Artist-in-Residence at the Royal BC Museum, Gareth has been teaching art classes in Victoria for almost 20 years at the likes of the YM/YWCA, the Art Gallery Of Greater Victoria, Story Studio, the Robert Bateman Centre and his own Back Room Studio at Victoria’s iconic Legends Comics & Books. Gareth has published more than 200 comic books and graphic novels featuring his own work. Read more...
BFA - 2003
Founder & Director
Emrys is the award-winning director of Victoria graphic design studio Rocketday Arts, which focuses exclusively on projects which aim to build a healthier planet by directly addressing global issues like over-consumption, ecological health, poor education, war, and spiritual and cultural health. His clients include the likes of the Sierra Club, Google, ForestEthics, BC Parks, New York State University, UVic, and Skeptic magazine. He's also the president of the Vancouver Island chapter of the Graphic Designers of Canada.
BFA - 1997
Art teacher
Brigid is a passionate believer in lifelong learning, especially through the arts. She strongly believes that creative expression and arts experiences not only enhance learning but build confidence and offer the chance to make a positive impact in the world. Hailing from one of Victoria’s most famous arts families, she works in painting, stained-glass, mosaic and digital media, among others. She taught with Victoria’s artsREACH non-profit for a decade and now teaches at Claremont High School.
BFA - 1989