More international students are choosing Portage College to start or complete their studies because of the personal attention they receive and the high standard of instruction.
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 post-graduate work permit (PGWP).
Domestic Apply
Use this process to apply to Portage College if you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (landed immigrant) or a protected person (refugee).
Domestic Funding Options
Browse through funding options available to students at Portage College to see what may be available to you.
Domestic Information Request
If you would like to receive more information about this program please use the Info Request Form linked here.
International Student Apply
International students, once you have chosen your program and checked the admission requirements you are now ready to apply for admission.
International Student Study Permit
Your study permit is the document that allows you to stay in Canada and study. It is different from a student visa, which is the document that allows you to enter Canada.
International Information Request
Our international student representatives are happy to answer your questions about programs, services and any immigration related questions that you may have. Please use the form link provided.
Career Potential
Combine your love of art with entrepreneurial skills to equip yourself for self-employment or work in one of the many visual arts and Indigenous art and culture careers. Jobs include positions with museums, historic sites, native friendship centres, and community and government organizations.
Credentials
Diploma
Admission Requirements
Indigenous Arts Certificate
English Language Proficiency Information
Transferability
The University of Calgary will award five full-course junior open options to graduates of diploma programs.
Transfer agreements are currently in place with:
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Alberta University of the Arts
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University of Calgary
*Students are encouraged to consult Transfer Alberta or speak to a student advisor about specific transferability
Program Start/End Date
August 28, 2025 to June 12, 2026.
Application Deadline
Domestic Student: June 1, 2025 (Application will still be considered after the deadline if seats remain)
International Student: May 15, 2025
International Study Permit Deadline:
August 1, 2025
Funding Application Deadline
June 1, 2025
Location
Lac La Biche Campus
Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2025
| Tuition | $1,940.15 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Course Package & Materials | $435.00 |
| Total | $2,955.63 |
Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2025
| Tuition | $1,940.15 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $2,194.13 |
Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $5,149.76
Part-time Fees
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $130. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $130.
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies
Tuition Deposit: $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs)
Fee Explanations
Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.
Health & Dental Fees
You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan.
Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.
Athletics & Recreation Fees
These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.
Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.
As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.
International Student Fees
Application Fee $160.00
Tuition Deposit $5000.00 (non-refundable)
If you choose to pay the full tuition and mandatory fees, you may still be eligible for a refund of payments above the $5000 deposit, as per the Portage College refund policy.
Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2025
| Tuition | $6,422.70 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Course Package & Materials | $435.00 |
| Total | $7,438.18 |
Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2025
| Tuition | $5,820.45 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $6,074.43 |
Total tuition & mandatory fees for the year: $13,512.61
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies.
Fee Explanations
Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.
Health & Dental Fees
You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan.
Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.
Athletics & Recreation Fees
These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.
Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.
As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.
Indigenous Arts Diploma
We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.