University of Guelph

What you'll study

This programme blends creative arts disciplines with courses in health, wellbeing and community practice. You will develop practical skills in a chosen creative area — such as visual arts, theatre, music, dance or digital media — alongside studies in health promotion, sociology of health, psychology of wellbeing, inclusive practice and research methods.

• Core creative modules: studio practice, composition and performance, digital media production, collaborative project work and exhibition/production modules that build a professional portfolio.
• Health and wellness modules: foundations of health and wellness, community health approaches, therapeutic and participatory arts methods, trauma-informed practice and ethics in health contexts.
• Interdisciplinary and research modules: qualitative research methods, programme design and evaluation, creative research projects and a capstone or honours project that integrates artistic practice with health-related inquiry.
• Placement and community engagement: supervised practicums or placements in hospitals, community centres, schools or wellness organisations to gain applied experience running arts-based wellness programmes.

Entry requirements

Admission typically requires a secondary school diploma (or equivalent) with a strong academic standing, including proficiency in English. Applicants are normally expected to present a portfolio or audition that demonstrates creative work and potential for development; specific portfolio guidelines are provided by the school. Mature applicants and those with prior community, health or arts experience may be considered through alternate admission pathways.

• Minimum academic preparation: completion of secondary-school qualifications with competitive grades in relevant subjects, particularly English and arts-related courses where available.
• Creative submission: portfolio of visual work, recordings or performance samples, or a creative media reel, following the programme's submission guidelines.
• Supplementary materials: a statement of interest outlining how your creative practice connects to health and wellbeing, and references or documentation of any relevant volunteer or work experience.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for careers that bridge the arts, health and community sectors. The degree is vocationally flexible and supports roles where creative practice is used to enhance wellbeing and community life.

• Community arts coordinator, delivering participatory programmes in neighbourhoods, schools and non-profit organisations.
• Arts-and-health practitioner or facilitator, supporting creative workshops in healthcare settings, long-term care or rehabilitation programmes.
• Wellness or recreation coordinator in community centres, cultural institutions or workplaces, designing arts-based initiatives for mental health and quality of life.
• Gallery, museum or arts organisation roles in programming and outreach that focus on inclusive access and community engagement.
• Further study options: graduate degrees in arts therapies, counselling, public health, social work, arts administration, fine art or research-based programmes.

Why study at University of Guelph

The University of Guelph offers a learner-centred environment with strong emphasis on experiential and community-engaged learning, making it well suited to an applied creative arts and wellness programme. Small studio and seminar classes support close faculty mentorship, while campus facilities — studios, performance spaces and digital labs — enable hands-on development of creative work.

Students benefit from established community partnerships that provide placement opportunities and real-world contexts for arts-and-health initiatives, and from a campus culture that values interdisciplinary research, wellbeing and civic engagement. Graduates leave with a portfolio of creative work, practical experience in health-related settings and the critical skills to pursue professional practice or further study.