For parents and teachers

🎨 Support the creative minds in your life.

Help future artists, designers and craftspeople reach their potential.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher or mentor, AUArts provides the tools, support and information you need to support your students post-secondary future.

Have more questions? Don’t hesitate to contact our admissions office - we're here to help!

Campus tours and events Connect with our recruitment team

Why AUArts?

Students gather in AUArts’ main hall during orientation, chatting under a large Alberta University of the Arts banner.

AUArts is Alberta’s only dedicated art, craft and design university — a tight-knit creative community where students explore, experiment and excel.

Small class sizes, world-class facilities and personalized mentorship ensure every student is supported as both an artist and a person.

AUArts’ undergraduate programs in Fine Arts, Design and Creative Industries are nationally recognized for their studio-based learning, cross-disciplinary exploration and real-world application.

Students choose from a range of specialized concentrations, combining creative practice with critical thinking, digital skills, and industry experience.

Every degree is built to help students develop a strong creative voice and professional experience. AUArts' graduates leave with the skills, experience and adaptability to succeed in today’s evolving creative economy.

Why AUArts? Explore program areas

We’re here to make sure every student thrives — academically, creatively and personally.

Academic support

Our advisors and learning specialists help students plan their studies, stay on track and reach their academic potential.

Explore academic advising and learning support

Health and wellness

From counselling and accessibility services to wellness programming, we ensure all students have the support they need to stay healthy and focused.

Discover health and wellness services

Community care

AUArts is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment where all students can create and learn with confidence

View community care & safety

Financing your students education

Affordable tuition

AUArts proudly offers one of the lowest tuition rates among art and design universities in Canada, so students can focus more on their creative work and less on financial stress.

We know that investing in a creative education is a big decision. That’s why AUArts offers multiple pathways to make it affordable — without compromising on quality, opportunity or experience.

View tuition and fees

Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries

We believe financial barriers should never limit academic potential.

Each year, AUArts distributes over $400,000 in student awards, including entrance scholarships, bursaries and donor-supported awards that recognize artistic talent, academic excellence and community leadership.

Find awards and scholarships

Your next steps

Where creativity leads to career success

An AUArts education doesn’t just pay off creatively — it builds adaptable, future-ready graduates equipped for thriving careers in Canada’s growing creative economy.

Canada’s Economy: A growing market for creative talent.

*(Artworks Report, 2025):* View the full report here.
The arts and culture sector contributes $131 billion to Canada’s GDP and supports 1.1 million jobs nationwide.	Creative sector employment has grown by 10% since 2020.	Over the past three years, the arts and culture sector has grown by 8%, compared to 4% growth in the overall economy.	In Calgary (2023/24), 193 arts organizations generated $168 million in GDP, supported 1,387 full-time equivalent jobs and contributed $31 million in tax revenue.

What this means for your student.

🧩Adaptable skills

At AUArts, students graduate with more than artistic talent — they develop the professional and creative skills employers value most.

As technology, economies and society shift, critical and creative thinking, design and innovation expertise, and highly specialized hands-on skills are increasingly valuable.

AUArts graduates are uniquely positioned to navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving future.

🎯Career paths.

AUArts graduates bring creativity into every corner of the economy across all industries — from award winning local businesses to global brands and international organizations.

They’re creative problem-solvers, storytellers and innovators equipped with the skills to adapt, collaborate and lead across industries locally and globally.

🚀Entrepreneurship

AUArts grads don’t just find jobs — they create them.

Many launch design studios, agencies and award-winning businesses that power Alberta’s creative economy and employ future grads.

Others start artist-run centres, local galleries and studio spaces that keep creative communities thriving and connected.

🎨Creative practice

For students pursuing fine arts, AUArts opens doors to professional exhibitions, gallery representation and artistic recognition.

Alumni regularly exhibit and sell their work across Canada, with many represented in major collections and public art projects.

Graduate success stories

Rene Thibault

Rene Thibault greeted me at the door with a smile and suggested we head directly to his studio in the basement.

Rene Thibault

Neshka

“Representation and technique are such small parts of art. I’m always fascinated by the part that is not quite definable. Having that in our life (and through history) really is like an added dimension, like another language that nobody speaks fluently but everybody understands on some level.”

Neshka