Arts Umbrella and Emily Carr University Launch Entry Program for the Next Generation of Artists

Arts Umbrella and Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) – two of Canada’s leading arts educators – are joining forces to offer a new admissions pathway for emerging creatives who wish to continue their arts education through post-secondary studies. 

Effective this year, the Arts Umbrella Intensive Program with ECU Pathway Option offers eligible students advanced standing and a streamlined application process into the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program at ECU.

“We see possibility in every student that walks through our doors,” says Paul Larocque, President & CEO of Arts Umbrella. “Arts Umbrella has long been the place where many young artists first discover their creative voice. By partnering with Emily Carr University, we are creating a clear next step for students who wish to continue exploring, questioning and making. We are helping them move from emerging interest to formal students to building lives that are connected to art and cultural expressions.”

The new program builds on the shared commitment of Arts Umbrella and ECU to nurture artistic talent at all ages, while expanding access to post-secondary art and design education.

Students who participate in the Pathway Option will earn university credits for their studies at Arts Umbrella; enter ECU with an established foundation in creative process and studio practice; and benefit from a supportive transition into post-secondary education at a time when creative skills are increasingly vital in Canada’s cultural and economic landscape. The program also provides a waiver of the standard portfolio requirement and the opportunity for direct entry into undergraduate programs at Canada’s leading university for art and design education.

“Arts Umbrella plays a vital role in our community for sparking curiosity in young people and cultivating talent,” says Dr. Trish Kelly, President & Vice-Chancellor of Emily Carr University of Art + Design. “At ECU, students expand on this learning by shaping it into a sustained studio practice. They learn to experiment, to refine and to grow alongside peers and working artists. The ECU Pathway Option creates a natural continuation between our institutions, supporting students as they take their next step into post-secondary study and their future in the creative and cultural sectors – and beyond.”

This partnership marks another milestone in ECU’s centennial year, celebrating 100 years of impact in art and design education and reflecting the university’s enduring connection to Granville Island and Vancouver’s creative community.

Applications for current Arts Umbrella Intensive students are open now. Students registering in the spring for the 2026/2027 year will be able to opt in at that time. 

To be eligible for registration, applicants must be enrolled in the ECU Pathway Option within the Intensive Program and meet ECU’s admission standards. A grade of C or higher in English Language Arts 11 or 12 is recommended, along with senior-level academic or visual arts electives. Additionally, students must maintain 90% attendance, participate in critiques and exhibitions, submit a final artist statement and complete all coursework.

For more information on the Arts Umbrella Intensive Program with ECU Pathway Option, visit www.artsumbrella.com. For information about ECU admissions and undergraduate programs, visit www.ecuad.ca.