Fine Arts
Fine Arts Co-op is optional for students studying:
- Art History and Visual Studies
- Cultural Resource Management
- Music
- Professional Writing
- Theatre
- Visual Arts
- Writing
How co-op works
Co-op gives you hands-on paid work experience related to what you're studying. It's the perfect way to develop your skills and find a career you love.
Learn more about what co-op is, how it works with your degree, and what to expect as a co-op student.
How to join
You'll join co-op beginning in your second year. To join, you must:
- be registered in at least one of the following:
- degree program (BA, BFA, BSc, BMus) in the Faculty of Fine Arts
- Cultural Resource Management Program
- have completed your first year of study
- have a minimum B average
- be a full-time UVic student
- enrol in FA 201 either in the Fall or Spring term (Fine Arts graduate students are also eligible for co-op and will register for FA 501). Registration is open for the Spring intake. Register by January 10. Please note: If you have completed IS 310D: LE,NONET Preparation Seminar or another course equivalent to Introduction to Professional Practice, please contact us directly for admission.
International students: we recommend registering for the Fall HUMA 201/501 course to allow time to apply for your co-op work permit before your first work term.
After registering for FA 201 or FA 501, you'll be invited to complete the Humanities and Fine Arts Co-op Program Application. You'll receive confirmation of your acceptance into the program from the Humanities and Fine Arts co-op coordinator.
Once you're accepted
You will begin your co-op education through FA 201: Introduction to Professional Practice classes, which you'll take once before your first work term. Graduate students will complete FA 501: Introduction to Professional Practice classes.
Your course will include 8 in-person, synchronous sessions, along with readings and assignments.
The goal of the course is to give you baseline tools and skills to help you in your co-op (and later, full-time) job hunt. You'll learn about the hiring process, passive and active search options, résumé and cover letter writing, professionalism and ethics, interview skills, networking skills and how to be successful on your work term.
Workshop times:
- Fall 2024: Fridays 2:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. (October 4 – November 22)
- Spring 2025: Friday 2:30 p.m. – 3:20 .p.m. (January 17 – March 7)
Program formats
The following program formats are available:
- co-op (traditional format)
- work experience program
- parallel co-op (part-time)
- post-study internship
- entrepreneurial co-op
Learn more about these types of co-op.
Fees
Co-op students pay a co-op tuition fee for each work term. It's free to join co-op and attend the preparation course—you'll pay your tuition fee after you secure a co-op work term.
You'll pay your fees according to the same tuition fee deadlines as regular course fees.
Fees per work term for undergraduate students:
- domestic students: $776.20
- international students: $1,510.16
Fees per work term for graduate students:
- domestic students: $776.20
- international students: $976.27
Note that the graduate co-op tuition fee is different than the graduate installment fee. If you are a grad student and register for a co-op work term, during that term, you'll pay:
- the grad co-op program fee
- the grad ancillary fees
If you register for a course (e.g. thesis 596 or 598) and a co-op work term in the same term, during that term, you'll pay:
- the grad co-op program tuition fee
- the course tuition fee
- the grad ancillary fees
Questions about co-op tuition fees? Email us or call 250-721-7032 for assistance.
Average salaries
You'll receive a salary from your employer during each co-op work term. Co-op salaries vary according to many factors, including your previous work experience, the industry you're working in and the responsibilities of your co-op job.
Here is an average monthly salary for a Fine Arts work term:
- undergraduate: $3,068.32
- graduate: $3,934.88
Work terms
Co-op work terms begin in January, May and September and are typically 4 months long.
- undergraduate co-op: 3 work terms (4 or 5 optional)
- work experience program: 1 or 2 work terms
- master's students: 2 work terms
- PhD students: 3 work terms
- continuing studies diploma: 1 work term
Learn more about:
Sample employers & jobs
During your co-op terms, you could work for:
- government (municipal, provincial or federal)
- theatres
- galleries
- libraries
- arts groups
- non-profit organizations
- newspapers and publishers
- private companies (all sizes)
Job examples:
- 3D animation and digital media intern—Western Digital
- box office coordinator—Victoria Jazz Society
- curatorial assistant—Legacy Art Gallery
- junior analyst—Government of Canada
- marketing and development assistant—Open Space Gallery
- multimedia coordinator—Pacific Peoples’ Partnership
- production and editorial assistant—Harbour Publishing
- programming assistant—Maritime Museum of BC
- technical writer—SAP
Kylee Hyde (music)
My name is Kylee, and I’m studying for a Bachelor Of Music at Macquarie University in NSW, Australia. I studied at UVic from September to December of 2022, and worked at Legacy Art...
Mel Granley (art history/visual studies)
UVic Indigenous studies and art history/visual studies student Mel Granley helped curate the Legacy Gallery's "On Beaded Ground" exhibit, which explores the essential role of Indigenous women's...
Office & contacts
Our regular business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Office: Clearihue D128
Co-op coordinator:
Joy Andrews
hufaco@uvic.ca
250-721-7629
Co-op assistant:
Annette Bailey-Smith
hufacoop@uvic.ca
250-721-8841
Get support
We're here to support you with every step in your co-op journey, from applying to co-op to making sure you're supported at work. Contact your co-op coordinator or office for assistance.
If you identify as having a disability or a mental health condition, if you belong to an equity group, or if you identify as Indigenous, we have additional supports for your co-op experience.