Fine Arts
You march to the beat of your own drum. You’re unique. You love to design, craft, form, and create. You are a Fine Arts student. A Fine Arts certificate can help you to develop your talents while also preparing you should you want to continue on to further education.
Program Overview
This two-semester program exposes you to a combination of drawing, painting, sculpture, creative writing, and an overview of art history. The Fine Arts certificate program provides the opportunity to explore your creative side. Students take required courses which give them an overview of history, philosophy and practice.
Some courses in the program introduce you to an overview of history, philosophy and practice while others let you explore and develop your talents in creative writing, acting, painting, drawing, or sculpture.
Our Dual Admission agreement with University of Lethbridge means you can complete the Fine Art certificate at the College, enjoying small class sizes and lower tuition, before moving directly into your guaranteed seat at University of Lethbridge in one of their Bachelor of Fine Arts programs.
This program starts in September and January each year. Part-time students applying in the Spring semester should select University General Studies as their program when applying.
Fine Arts Certificate Program Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 100 | English Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 102 | Introduction to Poetry and Drama or Introduction to Prose Fiction | 3 |
| FA 100 or FA 101 | Introduction to Fine Arts or Contemporary Art: A History | 3 |
Plus Choose five (5) Fine Arts courses from below:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRWT 101 | Creative Writing 1 | 3 |
| CRWT 102 | Creative Writing 2 | 3 |
| FA 103 | Pottery | 3 |
| FA 105 | Studio Foundations | 3 |
| FA 106 | Introduction to Drawing | 3 |
| FA 107 | Sculpture | 3 |
| FA 108 | Introduction to Painting | 3 |
| FA 208 | Special Project | 3 |
| FA 213 | Textiles: Dyes on Cloth | 3 |
| FA 217 | Sculpture 2 – Mixed Media | 3 |
| FA 218 | Painting 2 | 3 |
| FA 219 | Watercolour Painting | 3 |
Plus choose two (2) courses from Fine Arts, Humanities, Social Science, Sciences, or Sciences (6 credits)
Course Descriptions
We recommend you work with an Education Advisor for course selection.
Must take ENGL-100 plus ENGL-101 or ENGL-102 and FA-100 or FA101:
ENGL-100 – English Composition
English 100 focuses on composition strategies for writing across academic disciplines. Over the course of the term, students will develop an awareness of how rhetorical situations affect composition and refine their understanding of the fundamentals of essay writing (and clear communication more broadly), including paragraphing, thesis statements, essay structure, and citation methods. Students will also learn the fundamentals of critical thinking and analysis, persuasive writing techniques (including rhetorical appeals and modes), scholarly research, and academic reading.- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites:
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus, Hybrid, Online
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
ENGL-101 – Introduction to Poetry and Drama
An introduction to the critical reading of literature through the study and analysis of poetry and drama across historical periods from Shakespeare to twenty-first century poets and dramatists. While this course will teach students how to perform college-level literary analysis of canonical texts, it will also teach them how to question and evaluate the cultural narratives that literature circulates. As such, the class will explore questions of gender, class, race, nationhood/nation building, and the problematic literary canon in order to develop strategies for negotiating complex literary texts and to become better, more nuanced readers.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites:
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
ENGL-102 – Introduction to Prose Fiction
English 102 introduces students to the genre of literary fiction from the origins of the short story in early nineteenth century to the novels of twentieth and twenty-first century. The aim of ENGL 102 is to read fiction with an understanding of genre, technique and form; to apply various critical strategies to literary texts; and to develop analytical writing skills appropriate to essays at the university level. Ultimately, the course encourages students to consider how narrative forms can shape, challenge and respond to their moral, social, and political contexts.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites:
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus, Hybrid, Online
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
FA-100 – Introduction to Fine Arts
This course introduces students to the history, philosophy, and practices of Fine Arts, exploring how art is created displayed, assessed, and interpreted within cultural, social, and political contexts. Students examine major artistic movements, philosophical theories within art, and the role of art in shaping societal values. Through this exploration, students will gain insight into how humanity’s cultural and philosophical ideas have evolved over time and how these are expressed through artistic practices.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites:
None
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
FA-101 – Contemporary Art: A History
This course provides an opportunity to study and interpret significant social, historical, political and philosophical themes of contemporary art as a cultural expression of society. Beginning with Western Art of the 13th century, we will study the influences leading to Modern and Contemporary Art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Students explore important developments through the intersection of art, science, technology, and the new forms of visual culture that are shaping the contemporary art of today.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites:
None
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
Must take two (2) courses from Humanities, Social Science or Sciences, plus:
Choose five (5) from the following:
CRWT-101 – Creative Writing 1
Creative Writing 101 introduces the art and craft of writing poetry, prose (both fiction and creative nonfiction), and drama (both play- and screenwriting). Through workshop-style classes, students will develop their writing from first to finished drafts, culminating in the creation of a final portfolio. The course emphasizes the creative process alongside practical aspects of writing, such as public readings and preparing work for publication.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites:
None
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
CRWT-102 – Creative Writing 2
Creative Writing 102 builds on the concepts and creativity in poetry, prose (both fiction and creative nonfiction), and drama (both play- and screenwriting) for class workshop. Students are required to produce a portfolio of finished, polished work by the end of the course. They are encouraged to participate in writing activities, experiment with forms of writing, and develop skills in multiple writing genres.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites:
None
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
FA-103 – Pottery
Students will study the timeless art of functional ceramics through the creation of purposeful pottery. Through the examination and practice of historical and contemporary methods of hand-building, throwing and extruder techniques with clay, the student will develop a personal aesthetic style including the consideration of form and function and imagination.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 60 hours
- Prerequisites:
None
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
FA-105 – Studio Foundations
The Studio Foundations course provides students with fundamental hands-on experience with art materials and creative processes in drawing, painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Students are introduced to concepts and techniques for producing and presenting art through its different stages of planning, rendering and formal presentation. Students create an Artist Statement and a portfolio of their artwork by the end of the semester.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 60 hours
- Prerequisites:
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
FA-106 – Introduction to Drawing
This course provides an opportunity for students to develop a keen, sensitive eye for materials and subjects of drawing. Through lecture and hands on experience, the student explores contemporary and historical drawing practices beginning with how one perceives an image. The student uses a broad and diverse spectrum of drawing practice techniques, and the student artist sees the indispensable role of drawing as a foundational aspect of art making.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 60 hours
- Prerequisites:
None
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
FA-107 – Sculpture
The student is introduced to sculpture and 3D thinking through the element of clay. The student explores a variety of historical and contemporary methods and styles and investigates a number of building techniques. The student will also experiment with various embellishment and firing styles that leads the student to experience the processes and qualities inherent in clay as a sculpture medium.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 60 hours
- Prerequisites:
None
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
FA-108 – Introduction to Painting
The student is introduced to painting with oil and acrylic on canvas, and acrylic and water-colour on paper. Colour mixing, composition, ideas and concepts, themes, experimentation with painting materials, and problem solving are addressed. Methods of thinking, working and seeing are experienced with an open mind and spirit of exploration.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 60 hours
- Prerequisites:
None
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
FA-208 – Special Projects
This course is for students wishing to undertake a substantial project in an area of fine art (video production, fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, drama, theatre, visual arts, performing arts, music, or the sonic arts) under the supervision of a faculty member.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites:
- Prerequisites: Previous fine arts training or experience at an advanced level at College of the Rockies or elsewhere; a 500-word project proposal; samples of relevant previous work; letter of reference on abilities and work ethic from a former instructor or other person.
- Delivery Method: ? Directed Studies
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
FA-213 – Textiles: Dyes on Cloth
Students will explore textile design concepts, materials and processes with an emphasis on painting and printing dyes on fabric. Through the research of historical and contemporary textile techniques, students will develop their personal aesthetic style.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 60 hours
- Prerequisites:
- Completed the following:
- FA106 – Introduction to Drawing (3)
- Completed the following:
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
FA-218 – Painting
Students continue their artistic expression through painting using diverse media including oil and/or acrylic. Students explore and are guided through contemporary, cultural and personal themes. An in-depth study with experimental approaches and new concepts is combined with current artistic theory.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 60 hours
- Prerequisites:
- Completed the following:
- FA108 – Introduction to Painting (3)
- Completed the following:
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
FA-219 – Watercolour Painting
Students will explore the uniquely expressive medium of watercolour painting. They will be introduced to colour mixing, composition, ideas and concepts, themes, experimentation with materials and problem solving. This course helps develop a keen eye for subject matter and colour through distinctive watercolour techniques.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 60 hours
- Prerequisites:
- Completed the following:
- FA108 – Introduction to Painting (3)
- Completed the following:
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements:
- Minimum 65% in either English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, ENGL 090, or equivalent
Tuition and Fees for Domestic Students
For the 2025/26 academic year (2025/SU, 2025/FA, 2026/WI, 2026/SP)
| Application Fee: | $30.00 |
| Tuition: | $3,725.70 |
| Student Association Fee: | $69.00 |
| Bus Pass Fee: | $88.80 |
| Health and Dental Fee: | $240.00 |
*Tuition and Fees for domestic students are estimates and are subject to change. Depending on course electives there may be additional lab fees. Tuition and Fees do not include textbook costs or supplies. Tuition fees include student technology fees, student activity fees, and alumni fees. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.
Career Info and Pathways
A Fine Arts certificate is the first stop on your way to a fulfilling career as a:
- Painter, Sculptor / Other Visual Artist
- Artisan / Craftsperson
- Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit / Other Creative Designer
- Other Technical and Coordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting, and the Performing Arts
- Painter / Decorator (except Interior Designer)
- Film and Video Camera Operator
- Graphic Designer and Illustrator
- Interior Designer and Interior Decorator
- Tattoo Artist
Fine Arts Certificate – Block Transfer Agreements
| To Institution | Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta University of the Arts | Bachelor of Fine Arts Majors | Transfer Agreement |
| Emily Carr University | Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Arts Major Note: COTR Fine Arts Certificate students are strongly advised to complete 30 credits of the Fine Arts Certificate specified in the transfer agreement; with a cumulative grade point average of B (3.00). Reviewed and approved up to September 1, 2026. | Transfer Agreement |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University | Bachelor of Fine Arts | Transfer Table |
Program Details
Delivery Method:?
On-campus
Credential:
Certificate
Categories:
Block Transfer Agreements with Other Institutions, Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Science, University Studies
Interests:
Start or Run Your Own Business
Contact Details
Cranbrook
2700 College Way,
Box 8500, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 5L7
Phone: 250-489-2751
Toll-free: 1-877-489-2687
Email: info@cotr.bc.ca