Creative Arts

Become a professional artist

Become a professional artist

Develop your expressive and analytical abilities as you prepare for a career as a professional artist, designer, curator, or educator.

The UFV Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) equips you with the practical skills, critical understanding, and industry-related knowledge necessary to succeed as a professional artist. You receive encouragement to broaden your artistic range and explore varied disciplines, including traditional Studio Arts, New Media art, Graphic and Digital Design, Film Studies, and Art History & Visual Studies.

As part of your BFA, you have the option to complete a Visual Arts major or to pair a Visual Arts extended minor with another extended minor in Art History, Creative Writing, Graphic Design, Media & Communications Studies, or Theatre.

No matter what disciplines you choose, well-designed studios, a dynamic faculty, and a dedicated community network provide a highly supportive environment for studying the creative arts.

In addition, you can take advantage of study tours, study abroad opportunities, and optional paid co-op work semesters throughout your studies to expand your horizons and get life and work experience.

Career Outlook for Visual Arts

Global spending on entertainment and media expected to rise to $2.1 trillion by 2020. In fact, the United Nations reports that the creative economy is one of the world's fastest growing sectors for income generation, job creation, and export earnings.

According to British Columbia 2025 Labour Market Outlook, the motion picture and video industries lead employment growth in southwestern British Columbia. Annual revenues for film, TV, and digital media combined add up to $3 billion. Consequently, opportunities abound for artists in occupations that support digital media, motion pictures, broadcasting, photography, and the performing arts.

Other opportunities exist to pursue a career in the field of commercial art and work for design agencies, marketing agencies, photography studios, and publishers. You may also find employment as a gallery curator, art director, or teacher. Or you may opt to be self-employed as a professional artist in your discipline of choice. Alternatively, you may go on to pursue further education, or seek employment in other related industries such as business, tourism, entertainment, broadcasting, and more.