Capilano University Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts delivers exceptional career-focused education through its specialized programs in Animation (2D & 3D), Motion Picture Arts, Costuming, Graphic Design, Jazz Studies, Music Therapy, Musical Theatre, Performing Arts, Technical Theatre, Visual Art, Ceramics, Textile Arts, and Arts & Entertainment Management that blend rigorous technical training with creative exploration across state-of-the-art facilities on Vancouver’s scenic North Shore in North Vancouver, British Columbia.

Thank you for visiting Art Institutes, don't forget to subscribe to the Art Institutes Newsletter!

Capilano University’s Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts:

Art8 "Webinars for Creatives" https://art8.net

Program Portfolio & Specializations

• Animation (Diploma & Bachelor Degrees) – Comprehensive training spanning classical 2D animation, advanced 3D character animation (Maya), storyboarding, life drawing, and visual development. Features industry-aligned curriculum with portfolio development.
• Costuming for Stage & Screen (Diploma) – Intensive hands-on training in costume construction, pattern drafting, millinery, dyeing, and breakdown techniques for theatre/film.
• Motion Picture Arts (Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts) – Production-focused degree covering cinematography, directing, producing, editing (Avid Media Composer), sound design, and screenwriting.
• Design (Diploma & Bachelor of Design) – Graphic design program emphasizing typography, branding, UX/UI, packaging, and design strategy with Adobe Creative Cloud mastery.
• Jazz & Contemporary Music (Diploma/Bachelor) – Performance-intensive training with improvisation, composition, arranging, and music technology components. Offers unique Jazz Studies diploma and Bachelor of Music Therapy.
• Musical Theatre (Diploma) – Triple-threat training integrating acting, vocal performance, and dance techniques with industry showcase opportunities.
• Performing Arts (Diploma) – Foundation in acting techniques (Meisner, Stanislavski), voice, movement, and theatre history.
• Technical Theatre (Diploma) – Production specialization covering lighting design (Vectorworks), sound engineering, stage management, and set construction.
• Visual Art (Diploma/Certificate) – Studio-based curriculum in painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, photography (digital & darkroom), and critical art theory.
• Arts & Entertainment Management (Bachelor) – Business administration training tailored to cultural sectors including marketing, fundraising, venue operations, and cultural policy.

Industry-Connected Learning Environment

CapU’s Bosa Centre for Film & Animation houses professional soundstages, animation labs with Wacom Cintiq displays, dedicated stop-motion studios, and industry-standard post-production suites. The Performing Arts Theatre complex features flexible black box theatres, scenic workshops, and costume ateliers with industrial equipment. Ceramics studios include gas/electric kilns and glaze labs, while textile facilities feature digital looms and dye rooms. Music students access dedicated rehearsal rooms, recording studios, and the BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts concert venue.

Faculty Expertise & Pedagogical Approach

Instruction is delivered by active industry professionals including Emmy-winning animators, Genie-nominated cinematographers, Broadway performers, published designers, and gallery-represented visual artists. Programs emphasize collaborative, project-based learning through capstone productions, interdisciplinary collaborations, and client projects. Third-year Animation students participate in crew-based short film productions, while Technical Theatre cohorts support mainstage performances. Music Therapy students complete 1,000+ hours of clinical placements.

Career Development & Industry Pathways

The Creative & Applied Arts Co-operative Education program facilitates paid placements at organizations like Sony Imageworks, Bard on the Beach, the Vancouver Symphony, and Electronic Arts. Annual industry events include the Animation Industry Night, Grad Show Exhibitions, and Music Showcase Concerts attended by recruiters. CapU’s Vancouver location enables access to film/TV production hubs, design agencies, and arts institutions. Graduates populate studios like Disney Animation, Industrial Light & Magic, the Stratford Festival, and the National Arts Centre.

Student Experience & Community Impact

Students engage with Vancouver’s cultural ecosystem through partnerships with the Vancouver International Film Festival, Capture Photography Festival, and PuSh International Performing Arts Festival. The Visual Art program hosts exhibitions at the Capilano University Art Gallery, while Music students perform at the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Indigenous perspectives are integrated through courses like Indigenous Art Studio and collaborations with the Squamish Nation. International exchange opportunities include semester programs at partner institutions in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Admission Requirements & Program Structures

Programs feature competitive entry with portfolio/audition requirements: Animation applicants submit life drawing and character design portfolios; Music candidates complete instrumental/vocal auditions; Design applicants present creative process books. Foundation certificates (Art Fundamentals, Performing Arts Prep) provide preparatory pathways. Most diplomas require 2 years of full-time study (60-70 credits), while bachelor’s degrees (Motion Picture Arts, Design, Music Therapy) extend to 4 years (120 credits) with thesis/production requirements.

Financial Support & Student Resources

Program-specific awards include the Walt Disney Animation Scholarship, IATSE Local 891 Bursary, and Jazz Festival Entrance Awards. Equipment access includes ARRI cinema cameras, Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve editing suites, Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions, and professional lighting grids. Dedicated studio access extends evenings/weekends. The Amplify Festival provides cross-disciplinary collaboration opportunities, while the Capilano University Art Gallery hosts professional exhibitions and student critiques.

Animation Programs

• Bachelor of Animation – Comprehensive four-year degree focusing on classical and digital animation techniques. Students master 2D hand-drawn animation, 3D computer animation (Maya), stop-motion, storyboarding, character design, and visual development. Includes life drawing studios, pre-production workshops, and collaborative film projects. Graduates create professional demo reels for studio careers.
  Duration: 4 years full-time | 120 credits | Portfolio-based admission
• Animation Fundamentals Diploma – Foundational two-year training in animation principles, drawing fundamentals, and digital tools. Covers anatomy studies, motion analysis, timing, and basic 3D modeling. Prepares students for entry-level positions or bachelor’s degree advancement.
  Duration: 2 years full-time | 60 credits

Design Programs

• Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication – Advanced four-year degree focusing on strategic design solutions. Specializations include branding systems, interactive design (UX/UI), publication design, packaging, and motion graphics. Features client projects, industry internships, and professional portfolio development.
  Duration: 4 years full-time | 120 credits | Portfolio review required
• Graphic Design Diploma – Intensive two-year program covering design fundamentals: typography, layout, color theory, digital imaging (Photoshop), vector illustration (Illustrator), and prepress production. Includes print and screen-based project work.
  Duration: 2 years full-time | 60 credits

Performing Arts Programs

• Musical Theatre Diploma – Triple-discipline training integrating acting (Meisner technique), vocal performance (private voice coaching), and dance (jazz, tap, ballet). Includes scene study, music theory, audition techniques, and mainstage productions with industry showcases.
  Duration: 2 years full-time | 66 credits | Audition required
• Performing Arts Diploma – Foundation in contemporary acting methodologies, voice and speech, movement (Laban, Viewpoints), theatre history, and script analysis. Features studio performances and professional development workshops.
  Duration: 2 years full-time | 60 credits | Audition required
• Technical Theatre Diploma – Hands-on production training covering lighting design (Vectorworks), sound engineering, stage management, scenic construction, and properties fabrication. Students crew mainstage productions in CapU’s theatre facilities.
  Duration: 2 years full-time | 63 credits
• Costuming for Stage and Screen Diploma – Specialized training in costume construction, pattern drafting (flat patterning/draping), millinery, textile modification, and breakdown techniques. Includes wardrobe management and industry software training.
  Duration: 2 years full-time | 60 credits

Music Programs

• Bachelor of Music Therapy – Four-year accredited program combining musical training (piano, guitar, voice, percussion) with psychology, anatomy, and clinical practice. Includes 1,000+ hours of supervised fieldwork in healthcare settings.
  Duration: 4 years full-time | 126 credits | Audition/interview required
• Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies – Performance-intensive degree with concentrations in composition, arranging, and pedagogy. Covers jazz theory, improvisation, ensemble performance, and music technology. Features masterclasses with visiting artists.
  Duration: 4 years full-time | 120 credits | Audition required
• Jazz Studies Diploma – Two-year foundation in jazz performance, ear training, and ensemble playing. Focuses on instrumental/vocal technique, rhythm section skills, and small group performance.
  Duration: 2 years full-time | 60 credits | Audition required

Film Production Programs

• Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts – Comprehensive filmmaking degree covering directing, cinematography (ARRI camera systems), producing, editing (Avid Media Composer), sound design, and screenwriting. Students produce thesis films using industry-standard equipment.
  Duration: 4 years full-time | 120 credits | Portfolio/interview required

Visual Art Programs

• Visual Art Diploma – Studio-based program exploring painting, sculpture, printmaking (etching/lithography), ceramics (wheel throwing/handbuilding), photography (digital/analog), and critical theory. Features professional practice development and gallery exhibitions.
  Duration: 2 years full-time | 60 credits | Portfolio review
• Art and Studio Practice Certificate – One-year foundation in visual art techniques and concepts. Covers drawing fundamentals, 2D/3D design, and introductory studio courses. Prepares students for diploma programs.
  Duration: 1 year full-time | 30 credits

Arts Management Program

• Bachelor of Arts in Arts and Entertainment Management – Business administration degree tailored to cultural sectors. Covers arts marketing, fundraising, contract law, venue operations, cultural policy, and event production. Includes co-op work terms with arts organizations.
  Duration: 4 years full-time | 120 credits

Foundation Programs

• Art Fundamentals Certificate – Preparatory year developing core skills in drawing, color theory, design principles, and visual research. Portfolio development for advanced program applications.
  Duration: 8 months full-time | 30 credits
• Performing Arts Preparatory Certificate – Foundational training in acting, movement, and voice. Develops audition materials for diploma programs. Includes theatre history and text analysis.
  Duration: 8 months full-time | 30 credits

Contact Capilano University | Fine & Applied Arts:

Capilano University has five locations, including the main campus in North Vancouver, CapU Squamish, the Sunshine Coast campus in Sechelt, CapU Lonsdale in The Shipyards and the Ts̓zil Learning Centre in Mount Currie.

Main Campus:

2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

604 986 1911
604 990 7848 (TDD tel — for deaf and hard of hearing)
604 984 4985 (Fax)

For All Contact Information:  https://www.capilanou.ca/about-capu/connect-with-capu/contact-us/