York U AMPD

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York U AMPD

Arts, Media, Performance & Design at York University

Home to Digital Media, Film, Media Arts, Dance, Design, Music, Theatre & Visual Arts at York U

The School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design at York University is one of North America’s premier institutions for professional education across the arts. Dedicated to excellence, experimentation and thought leadership, AMPD offers an exceptional environment for the development of next-generation creative talent. We offer hands-on professional training and in-depth academic studies in cinem

a and media arts, dance, design, digital media, music, theatre and visual art/art history. Our programs push the boundaries between artistic media, explore emerging technologies and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. The world increasingly needs creative thinkers to ignite bold new ideas, invent transformative experiences, and devise innovative solutions for global challenges. Creativity - the art of the disciplined imagination - is the single most valuable asset for career success. Open your mind to new ways of thinking. Unleash your potential and define the future of creativity with us at AMPD!

06/02/2026

Theatre students recently attended a matinee performance of 'take rimbaud' at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, followed by a talkback with the playwright and cast!

Directed by Theatre alumnus Ted Witzel (MFA ’13), the Howland Company production included Theatre alumna Rose Tuong (BFA ’13) and Professor Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster as part of its ensemble cast.

05/29/2026

The Department of Theatre, Dance & Performance and Scott Library recently hosted Zuppa Theatre's 'The Archive of Missing Things', a live/digital performance which is also available as an online game.

The event invited audiences to move through the library while following a story of memory, loss and discovery. Theatre students were able to meet and learn from Zuppa's creative team and took on writing and performance tasks related to the piece.

05/28/2026

In the studio with Samuel Roy-Bois, our 2025-26 Odette Sculptor in Residence!

During his residency, Roy-Bois worked with Visual Art & Art History students through an advanced sculpture course, giving them hands-on experience with metalwork, bronze casting and the process of developing a large-scale public artwork.

Hear from Samuel about the project, the residency and his advice for students.

05/27/2026

Visual Arts PhD student Shannon Garden-Smith is this year’s artist-in-residence with satisFACTORY in San José, Costa Rica!

During her residency, Shannon has been exploring the city’s thriving arts scene, visiting museums, galleries and independent spaces, and connecting with the local creative community. She also led an open studio and workshop with La Bici Escuela, inviting community members into her residency practice.

Swipe through for a look at what she’s been up to.

05/26/2026

Last week, we welcomed the National Theatre School of Canada’s DramaFest Provincial Showcase to campus, bringing high school students from across the province together for four days of theatre performances and workshops.

Throughout the week, student productions filled our theatres with original pieces and adapted plays. Students also took part in workshops led by faculty, graduate students, and other professional artists exploring various areas of theatre, including Venetian mask making, lighting design, improv and more.

Thank you to everyone who took part, and to the students who brought so much energy and talent to AMPD!

05/25/2026

Congratulations to Professor Marissa Largo, winner of the 2025-26 AMPD Research Award!

Professor Largo is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in AMPD’s Department of Visual Art & Art History. A researcher, artist, curator and educator, her work focuses on community engagement, race, gender and Asian diasporic cultural production, with particular attention to Filipino/a/x Canadian contemporary art, decolonial aesthetics, curatorial practice and research-creation.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3PmBTOX

05/22/2026

Congratulations to Film Production alumna and current MFA Production student Samiramis Kia (BFA '18), winner of the Best Directing Award at the 2026 Women in Film & Television - Toronto Showcase for her film 'Last Resort'.

The award includes a prize package with professional development support, including a meeting with the Directors Guild of Canada Ontario director.

Reflecting on her time at AMPD, Samiramis shares:

“My time at AMPD was filled with joy, learning opportunities, wonderful new friendships and creativity. I had the chance to make films, which is what I truly love and cherish.”

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4tJeOnr

05/19/2026

Four AMPD faculty members were recognized at York University's 2026 President’s Research Awards for achievements in research, public impact and creative excellence.

Congratulations to:

Professor Ali Kazimi (Cinema & Media Arts), recognized for receiving the 2025 Fire Horse Award from the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.

Professor Jennifer Fisher (Visual Art & Art History), recognized as an inaugural Art Basel Award recipient in the Media & Storytellers category.

Professor Laura Levin (Theatre, Dance and Performance), recognized with the Distinguished Scholar Associateship from the Canadian Association for Theatre Research.

Professor Susan Blight (Visual Art & Art History), recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/42K6vwH

05/15/2026

In a recent article for HowlRound Theatre Commons, AMPD PhD student Mariló Núñez and Professor Marlis Schweitzer, Chair of the Department of Theatre, Dance and Performance, reflect on key takeaways from a SSHRC-supported symposium held last year at York University.

The symposium brought theatre artists, educators and students together to discuss how the sector can respond to growing challenges. The curatorial team included Schweitzer, Núñez and AMPD Professors Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster, Jamie Robinson, Keira Loughran and Laura Levin, with support from current Theatre students Celine Daaboul and Maya Fleming.

The article, titled 'Our Theatres Are Facing Backlash. Here Are Ten Ways to Respond', offers practical strategies for theatre communities navigating backlash and working to protect recent progress.

Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4dbs7br

05/14/2026

We are proud to be ranked second in Canada on the Association of Registered Graphic Designers’ 2025 list of top design schools!

The ranking is based on results from the 2025 RGD Student Awards, highlighting schools whose students received top scores from judges.

Current Design student Faith Innes reflects on the program:

“Something I believe York University’s Design program does really well is introduce students to different design disciplines. The trips we planned to Chicago and Vancouver were especially impactful, giving us the chance to tour a variety of studios and gain insight into different areas of the design industry.”

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4uTFUcN

Address

4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON
M3J1P3

Telephone

4166508176

Website

http://ampd.yorku.ca/

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