AUArts Bridge
Experience art & design school
Pre-University Program
Arts Bridge is a two-week, immersive summer program for teens. Designed as an introduction to university life, the program offers a focused, supportive pathway for anyone curious about art & design at a post-secondary level.
Through a combination of hands-on studio learning and university enrichment, young creatives will gain experience in new art forms, build confidence, and develop the foundational skills and habits expected in a university environment.
Benefits of Arts Bridge
- Prepare for the transition to University
- Experience new perspectives, mediums and styles
- Study under professional and experienced artists
- Grow as an artist through peer and instructor critiques and feedback
- Leave with a strong body of work to use as your portfolio
- Learn about possible creative paths and future careers in the arts
- Forge new friendships with others who share your passion for art and design
What will I do?
As an Arts Bridge student, you will join a supportive community of fellow creatives who are eager to learn about university-level art, craft and design. Guided by experienced AUArts instructors, you will take part in hands-on studio learning, demonstrations, and critiques that encourage experimentation, skill development, and thoughtful reflection. Through focused studio assignments and guided feedback, you will begin developing creative work that reflects your interests and growing abilities.
Schedule at a glance:
| June 29 - July 3 Synchronous 3 days | 12 hours total | One week before the in-person program starts, students will meet online to gain an overview of the program structure and expectations. This includes an overview of AUArts' art, craft, and design culture, portfolio expectations, and an introduction to the classes you will be taking. |
Monday - Friday
| Spend five hours per day in hands-on studio learning. Choose between a Fine Arts or Design specialization and learn from an experienced instructor who will help you develop technical and conceptual skills to grow as an artist. Learn to make sense of your work within an academic and professional context. These one-hour sessions will strengthen student readiness for post-secondary by supporting three key areas: portfolio development, early career reflection, and information literacy. |
Tuition & Registration
A non-refundable application fee of $75 is included in the tuition price listed below. Seats are limited per program, registration is first come, first served. Withdrawal deadline is June 12, 2026 to receive a refund on your tuition excluding the non-refundable application fee. Withdrawals must be communicated in writing (letter or email) and will be in effect on the day it is received at AUArts.
| Domestic Tuition | International Tuition |
| $1,875 | $2,200 |
2026 Program | Concentration | Dates | Register (choose option) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Novel & Comic Illustration | Design | July 6 - July 17, 2026 | International | |
| Use strong visual narratives to communicate ideas, experiences, or points of view through the combination of drawing, text, and sequencing. Study both comics and graphic novels—from retelling histories to parodies to fiction—and learn the fundamentals of storytelling. Develop an original storyline and characters, explore narrative basics, and practice hand-drawn illustration techniques for sequential art. Emphasis is placed on design principles, pacing, and clarity for an impactful narrative. Students refine both observational drawing skills and imaginative approaches to character and world building as they produce their own short graphic narrative. You will also be introduced to the contemporary graphic novel field, including discussions of professional practice. Designed for motivated students considering further study in visual storytelling and encourages disciplined creative development and a deeper understanding of this influential medium. | ||||
| Acrylic Painting | Fine Art | July 6 - July 17, 2026 | International | |
| Painting is visual communication where ideas, emotions, and personal experiences are expressed through colour, form, and composition. You will receive guided projects that emphasize the core principles of design through painting from still life, landscapes, and self-portraits as you develop and hone foundational technical and conceptual skills. Work in acrylic paint, learning and understanding its properties and handling while experimenting with different gel mediums and processes. In addition to your studio practice, you will be introduced to key movements in painting history to better understand how contemporary work connects to artistic traditions. This is for motivated students and supports the development of a personal painting style while fostering critical thinking, creative growth, and disciplined studio habits. | ||||
| Digital Photography | Design | July 20 - July 31, 2026 | International | |
| Develop your technical and creative skills in digital photography while learning to use the manual controls of your DSLR or mirrorless camera allowing you to intentionally shape color, light, and create mood. You’ll receive guided prompts and hands-on projects to explore landscapes, portraits, and documentary approaches as you capture moments, emotions, and stories from the world around you. Instruction emphasizes composition, lighting, and visual storytelling, along with an introduction to professional workflows using Adobe Lightroom. Gain experience refining, editing, printing, and presenting your work, in a supportive studio environment. Designed for motivated students and encourages the development of a personal photographic voice while building a strong foundation for post-secondary level work. | ||||
| Jewellery Making | Fine Art | July 20 - 31, 2026 | International | |
| Learn a number of foundational cold and hot metalworking techniques as you become familiar with jewellery making tools and studio practices in our fully equipped space. You will develop skills in sawing, filing, soldering, forming, and finishing metal through a series of assignments as you progress from flat constructions to three-dimensional wearable jewellery pieces and sculptural works. Instruction focuses on precision, problem-solving, and the use of surface treatments, texture, and pattern to support strong design concepts. Students need to be self-motivated with an interest in craftsmanship, a respect for safe studio practice, and have strong decision-making skills. *Please note there is an additional $28 equipment fee for this program included in the price. | ||||