FREE COLLEGE TUITION AT ONE OF CANADA’S FOREMOST ARTS CENTRES

SPAO’s NOVA PROJECT launches 4 key initiatives including our biggest announcement EVER! The only two-year photographic arts college in Canada is offering 1 free year of tuition for ALL Canadian citizens and permanent residents as well as 3 other exciting initiatives.

As part of SPAO’s reflection and renewal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are committed to taking bold and significant action. We believe that diverse voices are crucial in establishing a better, more equitable arts community post-pandemic; those from marginalized communities and those experiencing financial hardship cannot be left behind. As such, ALL Canadian citizens and permanent residents that begin their studies with SPAO in September 2021* will receive one full year of free tuition! In addition, each diploma student currently enrolled at SPAO will receive bursaries towards the next phase of their post-graduate arts practices.

Images, left to right: Shaelynn Tredenick, Richard Robesco, Christine Fitzgerald, SPAO alumni

SPAO has also created 2-year tuition bursaries prioritizing marginalized communities. Financial instability disproportionately affects Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) people, communities of colour, members of the Trans community and other marginalized people. As such, SPAO has created new Solstice Bursaries prioritizing these groups that will cover up to 2 full years of tuition for SPAO’s Diploma Program. While anyone experiencing financial need is eligible to apply, these bursaries will prioritize those who come from marginalized communities.

“This is a once-in-a-century opportunity to reimagine what we are and who we want to be.”
– Jonathan Hobin, Creative Director

SPAO’s goal is to reignite the creative spark within our community, while simultaneously addressing systemic barriers that prevent marginalized groups from fully engaging within the arts. While SPAO is a small institution with our own financial challenges to overcome, we must be bold in addressing long-standing systemic barriers faced by our students as we rebuild after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Images, left to right: works by Dayna Danger, David Buchan, Evergon

Deadline to apply is Tuesday, August 24th at 11:59PM. *This one-time initiative applies to Fall 2021 enrollment applications only and only until we reach capacity. Space is extremely limited; applications are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.

SPAO’s NOVA PROJECT also includes 3 other exciting initiatives:

• Part-time Studies: Youth Foundation Initiative
• Fundraising: Hasselblad Campaign
• Artist Residency: Spectrum Bursary

SPAO’s PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS AND PRODUCTION DIPLOMA

SPAO offers the only two-year photographic arts diploma in Canada! The Photographic Arts and Production Diploma is an incredibly unique opportunity to acquire comprehensive analogue and digital photography skills, develop a broad understanding of photographic theory and history, and cultivate individual vision and craft.

Visit spao.ca/diploma for more information on how to apply.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SPAO CENTRE

Nestled in the heart of the Nation’s capital, SPAO is one of Canada’s leading photographic art centres. SPAO is home to the only two-year Photographic Arts Diploma in Canada, a unique international Artist Residency and an independent and critical Gallery dedicated to photographic and video art. The SPAO Centre Gallery is partially accessible.

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