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Bachelor of Performing Arts Degree

Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts School of Performing Arts

Credential
Bachelor

Duration
9 month(s)

Program Highlights

The Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) program is unique in Canada.

Co-administered by Capilano University and Douglas College, nowhere else in the country have two academic arts institutions partnered to offer an interdisciplinary performing arts degree that has a commitment to collaboration and self-generation – elements which are crucial to young artists’ future success.

The program’s primary objective is real-world training. It is ideal for those who want to practice as a professional performing artist, arts manager, administrator or cultural entrepreneur, or those who wish to continue on to graduate studies in the performing arts.

The BPA is designed to address a gap in most performing arts education: serious consideration of how students will develop the means to put their training to use once they graduate. 

Vancouver Film School (VFS) educational pathway

After completing a VFS Acting for Film & Television diploma (within the past five years), you can apply for the BPA program through the VFS to BPA block transfer agreement.

Through this pathway, students with a VFS Acting diploma will be awarded 75 credits towards the 87 credits required for entrance into the BPA program.

  • Gain real-world performing arts creation and collaborative processes.
  • Produce two production works with the cohort at two venues in Greater Vancouver.
  • Develop entrepreneurial skills necessary to make a self-directed performing arts career feasible.
  • Examine the historical and cultural context of the performing arts in Canada and around the world.
  • Investigate, critique, and challenge the sociopolitical and cultural environment of the performing arts industry.
  • Practical coursework in fundamental business skills, such as grant writing, founding an arts organization, and individual career development.

Admission Requirements

English language requirements

English is the language of instruction at CapU. All applicants are required to demonstrate competence in the prior to admission.

If English is not your first language or you’ve received your education in a language other than English, students must produce evidence of their English Language Proficiency.

Basic requirements

  • Completion of a minimum 87 credits of 100-level or higher coursework as follows:
    • 60 performing arts credits with a minimum GPA of 2.5
    • 6 English credits
    • 9 elective credits (non-performing arts)
    • 12 additional upper-level credits

Program-specific requirements

  • Interview/Audition
  • Resume or CV
  • Two reference letters
  • Letter of intent

Additional information

  • Resume or CV - include relevant artistic/arts experience
  • Reference letters - from non-related individuals familiar with the applicant’s creative work
  • Letter of intent - outline “As you see your future, what are the ways you can imagine working as an artist?

Admission Notes

If you are already a Capilano student, or you are thinking of choosing Capilano and you want to plan your coursework so that you can be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Performing Arts program, you should speak with Academic Advising.

Program Requirements

Years 1 - 3

Total credits: 87.00

Required:
Completion of a performing arts program at a partner institution or another post-secondary institution.
Required:
Students complete degree program requirements of 6 credits of English, 12 upper level credits in performing arts and/or electives and 9 credits of breadth electives in one of the following ways: Option A: Transferring credit for coursework already completed at a post-secondary institution; or Applying for PLA credit for learning acquired through experience in the performing arts; or Completing a one-year advanced certificate program at a partner institution; and/or Enrolling in courses and/or programs at a partner institution; and/or Enrolling in courses at another post-secondary institution with a Letter of Permission Option B: The completion of the third year of a three-year diploma program at a partner institution.

 

Year 4 - Term 1

Total credits: 15.00

 

Year 4 - Term 2

Total credits: 18.00

Required:
BPAC 404Contemporary Performance Practices3.00 credits
BPAC 405Applied Production Planning1.50 credits
BPAC 406Strategic Career Planning1.50 credits
BPAC 407Studies in Interdisciplinary Performance and Production12.00 credits

 

Year 4 - Term 3

 

Total program credits: 120.00

Contact

Have questions about this program?

School of Performing Arts


604 984 4911
bpa@capilanou.ca

Student Information Services


604 984 4900
604 984 1798 (fax)
Library Building, room LB152
registration@capilanou.ca