At Portage College in Lac La Biche, Canada, Indigenous Arts Diploma is offered as a diploma in Indigenous Focus programme. The programme runs for 2 years, delivered on campus. Tuition for international students is CAD 11,641 per year (CAD 3,880 per year for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Diploma
Field:Indigenous Focus
Duration: 2 years
Delivery: On Campus
Local tuition: CAD 3,880 / year
International tuition: CAD 11,641 / year
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
This two-year diploma combines traditional and contemporary Indigenous art practice with entrepreneurial training, delivered in person at the Lac La Biche campus. Students work across painting, drawing, hide tanning, carving, sewing, footwear design, beadwork and other decorative arts, taught in a traditional Indigenous style that emphasizes verbal and visual guidance within practical studio courses, with options to specialize in mediums such as digital media or printmaking. Alongside the studio work, courses in marketing arts and crafts and building an online business prepare graduates to manage and promote their own art practice. The program suits students who want to develop as self-employed artists working from First Nations, Metis or Inuit traditions. Admission requires English Language Arts 30-2 or completion of the college's Indigenous Arts Certificate, plus an interview with the program coordinator, with alternative pathways available for students who do not meet the standard requirements. Graduates pursue self-employment in visual arts or work with museums, cultural centres and community organizations, and transfer agreements exist with several art and university programs for further study.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Admission requires English Language Arts 30-2, or completion of Portage College's Indigenous Arts Certificate, as an alternate entry route. Applicants who do not meet either standard may contact Student Services about placement testing before submitting a program application. A mandatory interview with the program coordinator is part of the selection process. The admission section states no separate English-language test requirement, criminal record check, immunization condition, or work-experience prerequisite for this diploma; applicants who are not fluent in English should confirm current requirements directly with the college.
Application Details
Start Date:August
Application Deadline:Domestic application deadline June 1, 2027 for the cohort starting August 30, 2027 (late applications still considered if seats remain); no separate international deadline published for this program.
