NSCAD University

NSCAD University Shaping art, design and craft in Canada since 1887. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia

NSCAD is no ordinary art institution. What for? What if? Be one of them.

It’s a place for curious minds to freely explore. A place for critical thinkers who never tire of asking why? At NSCAD, we think of curiosity as the spark that ignites everything. And year and year, our halls are filled with new faces who share this same fire. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia – Atlantic Canada’s largest and most vibrant city – NSCAD is an immersive environment in which

adventurous thinkers and makers discover their passion and themselves. If you believe that creative ideas can build a better world, there’s a place for you here. NSCAD offers a rigorous, interdisciplinary educational experience that is unlike any other art school in the country. For 130 years, our students, faculty and administrators have shared a commitment to experimentation, progressive thinking and cutting-edge art and design. Many students report that their time here completely shaped the way that they think. It changed their lives. It will change yours too. Some of the most innovative creators of the last century have marched through our halls and spent their days (and nights) in our studios. After leaving NSCAD, members of our alumni community go on to transform ideas into reality, fuelling the creative economy and accomplishing singularly amazing things.

Congratulations to NSCAD alumni Angela Henderson (MFA 2016) and Jayme Spinks (MDes 2015), for winning an Alcuin Society ...
06/04/2026

Congratulations to NSCAD alumni Angela Henderson (MFA 2016) and Jayme Spinks (MDes 2015), for winning an Alcuin Society Book Design Award for their work on Solomon Nagler’s book, "piyyut." 🏆📕

Designed and published by Jayme through Nevermore Press and Copy Shop Books, and featuring illustrations by Angela, "piyyut" will now be part of Canada's entry into the 'Best Book Design from all over the World' competition in Germany.

Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement by our talented alumni! 👏🎉

👉Read more about the book design process on our website: https://ow.ly/IKBQ50Z7IqQ

📷Courtesy of Angela Henderson and Jayme Spinks

Over the past semester, the Anna Leonowens Gallery has been transformed by eight remarkable MFA Thesis Exhibitions, each...
05/30/2026

Over the past semester, the Anna Leonowens Gallery has been transformed by eight remarkable MFA Thesis Exhibitions, each offering a glimpse into the research, experimentation, and diverse practices that define graduate study at NSCAD University.

As a final stage of the MFA, each graduating student presents a two-week solo thesis exhibition. The MFA thesis exhibitions were by Bianca McDonald, Nour El Sabeh, Forbes Sang, Nadine Sures, Yuting Song, Sarah Young, Vanessa Iafolla, and Quinn O’Connor.

These exhibitions represent more than a final requirement. They are the culmination of years of research, critical dialogue, studio practice, and community engagement. 

Thank you to everyone who visited, attended openings and artist talks, supported these exhibitions, and helped celebrate the achievements of our graduating MFA students.

📸 Nour El Sabeh (images 1,2,4,5,6,7,8) and courtesy of the artist Forbes Sang (image 3)

NSCAD University is saddened by the passing of Ian Austen, who passed peacefully on May 22, 2026. 🕊️Ian was a graduate o...
05/28/2026

NSCAD University is saddened by the passing of Ian Austen, who passed peacefully on May 22, 2026. 🕊️

Ian was a graduate of NSCAD’s Bachelor of Design in Visual Communications program and served the university in many roles over the years, including faculty, Director of Extension Services, Chairperson of the Craft Division, Board member, and Honorary Life Governor.

A passionate advocate for accessible and lifelong learning, Ian made a lasting impact on the NSCAD community and on generations of students, colleagues, and artists in Nova Scotia and beyond.

A celebration of Ian’s life will be held today, Thursday, May 28, at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew’s United Church, 1479 Barrington Street, Halifax.

We extend our sincere condolences to Ian’s family, friends, former students, and all who knew him.

📷 Courtesy of family

05/27/2026

Chains, corsets, and CLOWNS? 👠🤡🔥 We’re STILL not over this year’s NSCAD Fashion Show!

From striking fashion designs to stunning jewellery and metalsmithing pieces, our students brought creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation to the runway in a major way.

A huge congratulations to all the students, faculty, models, makeup artists, and volunteers who helped bring the night to life—and thank you to our incredible sponsors for supporting the future of fashion design. 👏🎉

👉Watch the full highlight reel on our YouTube channel: https://ow.ly/FJbi50Z4mfB

Don't forget to follow and on Instagram to see more student work. 💍👗

📽️ Shot by: Zen Zehua and Nour El Sabeh
🎞️ Edited by: Yifan Liu


A huge congratulations to NSCAD alumna Signy Holm (MAAE 2025) on receiving the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studi...
05/25/2026

A huge congratulations to NSCAD alumna Signy Holm (MAAE 2025) on receiving the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies (CACS) ARTS SIG Master’s Thesis Award! 🎉🏆

Signy’s award-winning thesis, "Wayfinding Through Waste: A Collective Living Archive of Coast Plastic," explores how marine debris can become a site for art, environmental reflection, and community engagement. By reframing plastic waste as an archeological object, Holm invites viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature and these objects. 🌊♻️

“I would see things like glass and ceramics washed up on the shore, but then I started to notice pieces of plastic coming up more and more," Holm explained. "So, I thought [...] why not treat it as a type of artefact?”

We’re so proud to celebrate Signy and this incredible achievement! 👏

👉Read the full article on our website: https://ow.ly/U7kw50Z3R9X

📷 Courtesy of Signy Holm.

It's all fun and games at the NSCAD Graduate Exhibition. 🎨🕹️Thank you to everyone who came out to support our graduating...
05/18/2026

It's all fun and games at the NSCAD Graduate Exhibition. 🎨🕹️

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our graduating students—and a huge shoutout to Busola Osho for curating such a fantastic show!

Until next year 👋✨

📷Wiebke Schroeder

  to the NSCAD Student Art Award! 🏆🎉Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate and support our incredible students....
05/16/2026

to the NSCAD Student Art Award! 🏆🎉

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate and support our incredible students. See you at the next one! 👋

👉See more photos on the Student Art Award webpage: https://ow.ly/9xCe50Z0lrM

📷 Wiebke Schroeder

05/15/2026

POV: you're a NSCAD Graduate 🎓✨

🎥 Sarah Poko



NSCAD University is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Kim Morgan as Interim Academic Dean. 🎉Morgan joined...
05/09/2026

NSCAD University is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Kim Morgan as Interim Academic Dean. 🎉

Morgan joined the Fine Arts Division at NSCAD in 2008 and is a professor in sculpture, installation, and public art. She previously served as Associate Academic Dean in 2024, supporting curricular planning, academic initiatives related to teaching, and articulation agreements across the university. 👨‍🏫🍎

“I’m looking forward to closely collaborating with our students, faculty, staff and leaders to creatively imagine how we will work transparently through this challenging time together and promote a culture of shared responsibility for NSCAD’s future,” says Professor Morgan.

Please join us in congratulating Kim on this new leadership role! 👏

👉Read the full announcement here: https://ow.ly/Qtxe50YWyb1

05/08/2026

“before, here, after” the 2026 NSCAD Graduation Exhibition is here!

The NSCAD Graduation Exhibition is an annual showcase of works by artists, designers, and craftspeople completing their programs at NSCAD University. The 2026 Graduation Exhibition “before, here, after” includes 53 exhibitors at the Anna Leonowens Gallery and Treaty Space Gallery, curated by Busola Osho.

Join us in celebrating the 2026 NSCAD Graduation Exhibition at a special reception the evening before convocation on Monday, May 11, at 5:00 PM.

Videography: Nour El Sabeh

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5163 Duke Street
Halifax, NS
B3J3J6

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