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 Aboriginal art forms. It is taught utilizing a traditional indigenous teaching style, which relies heavily on oral and visual instruction in a hands-on learning environment.
The Artisan Entrepreneur Diploma is a two-year program that focuses on developing the skills and knowledge to be a self-employed artist/artisan. The first year of the program is the Aboriginal Art Certificate which provides the core Aboriginal art forms content as well as introductory-level study in a variety of other fine art and craft media.
In the second year of this program, you will continue to study the traditional Aboriginal 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 Aboriginal 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. You will be able to combine your interest and love of art with entrepreneurial skills to be well-equipped to be self-employed or to work in one of the many opportunities and careers in visual arts and Aboriginal art & culture.
Entry into the Artisan Entrepreneurship program (second year) will include a portfolio submission developed in the Aboriginal Art Certificate.
This program is available to International Students. Our Designated Learning Institute (DLI) number is 0111010246767.
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
Aboriginal Art Certificate
English Language Proficiency Information
Transferability
The University of Calgary will award five full-course junior open options to graduates of diploma programs.
Program Start/End Date
August 29, 2024 to June 13, 2025.
Application Deadline
Domestic Student: June 1, 2024 (Application will still be considered after the deadline if seats remain)
International Student: June 30, 2024 (Applications will be considered if you can obtain a study permit and all the relevant documents before July 15, 2024)
Location
Lac La Biche Campus
Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2023
| Tuition | $1940.15 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Course Package | $275.00 |
| Fine Arts Fee | $160.00 |
| Total | $2,629.13 |
Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2023
| Tuition | $1940.15 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $2,194.13 |
Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $4,823.26
Part-time Fees
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $116. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $116.
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies
Tuition Deposit: $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs)
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: June 1, 2024
| Tuition | $6422.69 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Course Package | $275.00 |
| Fine Arts Fee | $160.00 |
| Total | $7,111.67 |
Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: October 15, 2024
| Tuition | $5820.45 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $6074.43 |
Total tuition & mandatory fees for the year: $13,186.10
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies.
Other purchases may be necessary in order for students to complete their courses/program.
Artisan Entrepreneurship 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.