Fine Arts teaches the how and the why of making. The how involves a wide-range of material and digital skills from ceramics, painting, print media, and photography, to cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printing, digital imagery and DSLR filmmaking. The why helps students develop criticality in visual culture—a rigour that hones an understanding of what things look like and mean within the current global condition. Our faculty is outstanding, and students often work with them one-on-one.
![Students in an art class, seated at easels drawing fabric.](/fine-arts/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/uploads/images/img_4650crop500x300.jpg?itok=D0FWNMM1)
![Half opened sketchbook with written notes and a drawing of Big Ben clock in London.](/fine-arts/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/uploads/images/visual-culture-banner_500x300.jpg?itok=LwRsM7r3)
![View from above of an artist's studio with the artist working on a painting](/fine-arts/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/uploads/images/eryns-studio_500x300.jpg?itok=-dVhx-4a)
Undergraduate students major or minor in Studio and/or Visual Culture; they can also participate in co-op through Waterloo’s Arts and Business program with a Fine Arts major. Graduate students pursue a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) with its unique Keith and Win Shantz International Research Scholarship.
Find out more
To find out more about our department, follow any of the links above or in the main menu. Our faculty and staff are also happy to talk with you via email, over the phone, or in person to answer any questions you might have.
For undergraduate inquiries contact our undergraduate administrator, Brett Roberts, or our undergraduate chair, Bojana Videkanic. The Fine Arts undergraduate office is in East Campus Hall room 1206.
For graduate inquiries contact our graduate chair, Cora Cluett.
The Department of Fine Arts stands in support of our Black, Indigenous, POC, and LGBT+ students and supports the Faculty of Arts’ commitment to doing better.
News
FINE 247's ‘Alt-Verse’ project can be seen in THEMUSEUM's immersive gallery EYEPOOL from February 12-23
A unique collaboration sees Fine Arts students installing their final project in THEMUSEUM's first permanent immersive gallery experience called EYEPOOL.
Fine Arts faculty members Bruce Taylor and Lois Andison have retired as of January 1 2025.
We wish Bruce and Lois much happiness and success in retirement as they continue their artistic pursuits.
Matthew Carver's solo exhibition opens February 1.
Matthew Carver's exhibition Hyperstition, featuring art from his first graphic novel, Koi Cafe Time Slip, is at the Christopher Cutts Gallery in Toronto February 1-22.
Events
Life drawing
Life drawing sessions for Winter 2025 are Wednesdays from January 22 to April 9.
Life drawing
Life drawing sessions for Winter 2025 are Wednesdays from January 22 to April 9.
Life drawing
Life drawing sessions for Winter 2025 are Wednesdays from January 22 to April 9.