Welcome to SOFAM

Message from the Director

Welcome to the School of Fine Art & Music (SOFAM) at the University of Guelph.   In SOFAM, art is not just something you learn about, it’s something that you do, whether as practitioner, scholar, critic, teacher or in a host of other jobs to which studying art might lead.  Our BA programs in Music, Studio Art and Art History, and the MFA in Studio Art and MA in Art History and Visual Culture, are renowned for their excellence and for the success of their graduates.    SOFAM curricula in all areas, delivered by acclaimed faculty, are designed to combine critical thought and creative practice with a variety of opportunities for experiential learning.   The result is that SOFAM graduates are working as artists, musicians, art historians, art and music teachers, gallery administrators, curatorial assistants, and are making their mark in numerous other creative practices and cultural industries – you can see examples of alumni on the “Future Students “ page. 

The School of Fine Art and Music is based in the historic Zavitz Hall on the University of Guelph campus. We have a very active student community, involved in the Fine Art Network and the Music Students Association. Their events include the Annual Juried Art Show as well as symposia in both Art History and Music. SOFAM operates a public art gallery, the Boarding House Gallery, in downtown Guelph. Students in the school play and perform in music ensembles and in our internationally known, award-winning choirs. Each year, SOFAM is proud to host the Dasha Shenkman Lecture in Contemporary Art, which has brought leading figures in the international art world to the University of Guelph.

As Director, I believe in the learning opportunities provided by sustained creative critical engagement with both study and practice. It’s my pleasure to invite you to explore the links on this website to find out about our programs, our students and our faculty. 

Martin Pearce, Director, School of Fine Art and Music