Portage College

Indigenous Arts Diploma

Bringing Art and Entrepreneurship together

Our program is structured on the knowledge and appreciation of traditional Indigenous art forms. The teaching method follows a traditional Indigenous style, emphasizing verbal and visual guidance in a practical learning setting.

The Indigenous Arts Diploma is a two-year program that focuses on developing the skills and knowledge to be a self-employed artist. In the first year of the program, students will complete the Indigenous Arts Certificate, which covers core Indigenous art forms and introductory-level study in various other fine arts and craft media.

Following the Indigenous Arts Certificate program, you will continue to study First Nations, Metis, and Inuit traditional and contemporary art forms in advanced courses in painting and drawing, hide tanning, carving, sewing, footwear, beadwork, and decorative arts while identifying an area of focus or interest. The program includes studio courses that provide you with the opportunity for directed study, under the supervision of instructors, in an identified area of interest and skill such as drawing and painting, printmaking, carving, digital media, and other media.
During this year, you will also study and learn entrepreneurial skills in each Indigenous art course by learning pricing and quality standards of products. You will learn marketing through courses such as Introduction to Marketing, Arts & Crafts, and Creating an Online Business. In these courses, you will develop your own website as well as learn other important marketing skills and business knowledge, such as business networking skills and potential business resources.

Entry into the Indigenous Arts Diploma will include a portfolio submission developed in the Indigenous Arts Certificate.

This program is available to International Students. Our Designated Learning Institute (DLI) number is O111010246767.

Please note: This program is not eligible for a post-graduate work permit (PGWP).