North

Yukon's fine arts school needs more students

There are currently eight full-time students enrolled at the school in Dawson City, and officials hope to bring in at least 15 full-time students next year.

Yukon's School of Visual Arts is Canada's most northerly post-secondary fine arts institution

'What's obvious to me is that everyone should study arts,' says Aubyn O'Grady, program director at the School of Visual Arts in Dawson City.

Low registration at Yukon's School of Visual Arts in Dawson City is prompting new recruitment efforts to keep the school viable. 

The school, known as SOVA, is Canada's most northerly post-secondary fine arts institution serving as a springboard for young Yukon artists.

According to Aubyn O'Grady, the school's program director, there are currently eight full-time students enrolled, and the school hopes to bring in at least 15 full-time students next year. The school can accomodate up to 20.  

"I think students are not really pushed towards studying visual arts anymore. They're looking for something like design, something that pays with an undergraduate degree — and you know, I can't blame them," O'Grady said.

"One of the things that I've been focussing on with our recruitment is supporting northern and Yukon-based students, high school students, and really making sure that everyone feels welcome to apply to SOVA and to pursue arts after high school." 

SOVA is Canada's most northerly post-secondary fine arts institution. (Claudiane Samson/Radio-Canada)

O'Grady says the school recently held creative workshops for students in Old Crow, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, to give them a taste of art education.

The school will also be doing recruitment activities in Whitehorse and Vancouver next month. The deadline for out-of-territory registration is Mar. 31, and Yukon students can apply until June.

'Everyone should study arts'

SOVA, now in its 12th year of operations, offers a one-year certificate that counts as the first year of a bachelor of fine arts degree. Many graduates transfer to schools such as as Vancouver's Emily Carr University of Art and Design after completing the program.

That's the path O'Grady took. She says the program inspired her to study education, and she's now working at completing her PhD.

"What's obvious to me is that everyone should study arts," she said.

Claire Gallagher of Whitehorse said she chose to study at SOVA because she felt it would be a good stepping stone before moving to a larger city. (Claudiane Samson/Radio-Canada)

The school boasts of a world-renowned faculty, small class sizes, custom designed studio spaces and a vibrant arts community.

And despite Dawson's bitterly cold winters and remote location, some students say the community's small population can actually be an advantage to learning.

"I'm not afraid of going into a bigger place, but you know, I'm just out of high school," said Claire Gallagher of Whitehorse.

"I had not lived alone before and I thought being in a smaller place where I kinda knew the community ... I would know my classmates and my teachers and probably get help if I needed it." 

The school is now in its 12th year of operations. (Claudiane Samson/Radio-Canada)

Gallagher says she plans to apply to arts schools elsewhere in Canada.

She says she hopes her experience will encourage others to consider SOVA as a transition to art schools in the South.

"I knew it would be easier for my first year before I went diving into a giant school where I knew no one," Gallagher says.

With files from Claudiane Samson