Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts) announced that they are offering 50 per cent scholarships for their one-year diploma programs starting 6 September 2022, exclusively for citizens of Ukraine who are fleeing their country into Canada under the CUEAT program. These scholarships will be 50 per cent less than the current tuition fees mentioned for international students.
Earlier, in March during the Ukraine crisis, VanArts announced that they will give 25 refugees an opportunity to launch a career by offering 25 full tuition scholarships for any of VanArts’ 12-month programs, in fields such as animation, game design, visual effects and photography.
Starting in September, this will be the first group of students to begin their programs in the brand new purpose-built campus in the beautiful False Creek neighbourhood of Vancouver. They are located one block from the Main Street/Science World Skytrain station for easy access to classes. VanArts occupies the entire seventh floor of 333 Terminal Avenue, with all programs and students together in one space and buzzing with creative energy.
The other advantages of the scholarship programs starting this September are:
• Financial assistance from the Canadian government is readily available to apply for. Offers include a one-time benefit of $3,000 and six months of up to $935/month for single adults.
• Students in Canada under the CUEAT program are granted work permits for working in Canada after graduation.
• The demand for jobs is booming in the industries they train for, with major film & animation studios expanding and opening facilities in Vancouver.
• VanArts has 23 students from Ukraine already studying with them, and a vibrant community of international students. All will get a homely feeling.
“I never would have imagined I would have this great opportunity living so far away from home, but here I am,” said Sofiia, a game art and design student from Kyiv.
“Everyone is so friendly here in Canada. I’m so happy to finally be here,” said Mariia, studying 2D character animation who is also from Kyiv.
Limited seats are available. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is 31 July 2022.
VanArts, founded in 1995 with Academy-Award winning animator/director Lee Mishkin as its founding program director, recognises the industry’s need for a skilled and specialised workforce. For over 25 years VanArts has offered a variety of highly focused diploma programs designed to prepare students for work in specific areas of the media arts including visual effects production, game art & design, character animation, professional photography, acting for film & television, and web development & design.
