NSCAD University—the historic Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, located in Halifax, Canada—is one of North America’s leading universities for the visual arts. Founded by Anna Leonowens in 1887, NSCAD celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2017. NSCAD offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in fine arts, design, craft, media arts, and art history and contemporary culture.
The university has three campuses in downtown Halifax: the Fountain campus, located in a series of adjoining historic buildings; the Academy building, built in 1878 and extensively renovated; and the Port Campus, located on the Halifax waterfront.
Jewellery design and metalsmithing have been taught at the school since the turn of the last century. Students in the jewellery program have always appreciated the small faculty-to-student ratio that allows for personal attention and small classes.
Our facilities are extensive, bright and well-equipped, located in five interconnected spaces within the historic Fountain campus. The 3 main studio classrooms, with 40+ spacious jewellery benches, are adjoined by satellite spaces including a casting room, a polishing room, chemical room, machine room, lathe & milling room, SLA 3d printer, powder-coating & spray booth, photo area, enameling studio, electroplating and electroforming room and a large silversmithing studio.
Students learn and develop abilities in critical thinking, problem solving, conceptual development, and design—acquiring skills to manipulate, combine, and create in metal, digitally, and in other materials processes (plastics, enamels, wood, and ceramics). Graduate and senior undergraduate students are encouraged to pursue personal design development and research within the program. Opportunities are available for solo exhibitions through the Anna Leonowens Gallery, the Port Loggia Gallery, the Treaty Space Gallery, and Art Bar+Projects.
The program has an international flavour, with students coming from around the world. Students can also benefit by applying for a wide variety of international exchange programs.
Our jewellery and metalsmithing BFA graduates find careers as entrepreneurs, artists, studio jewellers for wholesale or retail, curators, gallery administrators, teachers, fashion designers, and more. Many have also pursued graduate studies and have become writers, critics, curators, and professors.
