About
Welcome to the Department of Visual Arts at Western University! Located in the John Labatt Visual Art Centre on the main campus of the university, the Department of Visual Arts is an exciting environment in which the study and practices of art history, theory, and studio combine in a unique and dynamic way.
The Department of Visual Arts is located next to the Deshkan Ziibing, also known as the Thames or Antler River. This culturally and ecologically significant river reminds us of our responsibilities to the land and Indigenous Peoples, and offers meaningful grounding and inspiration to many students, staff and faculty.
The Department provides excellent facilities and offers important strengths. Our first-rate facility includes large and small computer labs, photo and video production spaces, printmaking areas, a purpose-built gallery, and bright, open workshop, and painting, drawing, and sculpture studio areas. Art History is taught in seminar and lecture rooms equipped with current audio visual technology. Our Museum and Curatorial Studies program offers students hands-on experience curating exhibitions and interning in exciting cultural institutions. The faculty in Studio, Art History, and Museum and Curatorial Studies is comprised of ambitious artists and academics who work across a range of disciplines, from historical to contemporary art theory and practice.
In addition to delivering consistently strong and well-recognized undergraduate and graduate programs, the Department boasts a strong commitment to extracurricular activities. Each year, a range of artists, curators, and art historians are invited from across the country and abroad as guest speakers in the Art Now! programming. We have unique residency opportunities such as Curator-in-Residence and Indigenous Artist-in-Residence. Alongside this, faculty members head up special projects and research initiatives and collaborations that enrich the life of the Department. We continue to foster links with other departments in the university (CAP, Film Studies, MIT, SASAH, etc.) and collaborate on a regular basis with major artistic players in London such as McIntosh Gallery also located on campus, Embassy Cultural House, Forest City Gallery, Museum London, Museum of Ontario Archaeology, and TAP Centre for Creativity. These initiatives and collaborations broaden the scope of activities and experiences for students in the Department and in turn make a significant contribution to the wider cultural community in London.
In the following pages on this site, you will find information on our various programs, faculty members and research-creation and scholarly interests, as well as information for both prospective and current students. If you do not find the information you are looking for in our website, please do not hesitate to contact us.
To browse our undergraduate program brochure, or department booklet and learn more about our faculty, please click the links below.
