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The School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD)

Welcome to AMPD

Our world increasingly needs creative thinkers to ignite bold new ideas, invent transformative experiences and develop innovative solutions for global challenges. As one of North America’s premier centres for education in the arts, York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD) will unleash your creativity and prepare you to thrive in a world where the single most valuable asset is creativity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR FACULTY

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30+

Competitive degree programs

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3,000+

Diverse and socially engaged students

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20,000+

Industry leading alumni worldwide

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$10.1M

Research Funding

Pursue Your Passion. Find Your Program

A person with headphones works at a sound editing console while another records voiceovers.

Cinema & Media Arts - (BA)
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Cinema & Media Arts - Media Arts (BFA)
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A camera operator films two people in a brightly coloured store, with pink and red displays in the background.

Cinema & Media Arts - Production (BFA)
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Four people converse indoors, with a wooden staircase behind. One in a red hoodie explains while others listen.

Cinema & Media Arts - Screenwriting (BFA)
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Two women in a tech setting. One is wearing a virtual reality headset and a VR controller, while the other is focused on a laptop screen.

Creative Technologies (BFA) *
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A group of dancers is performing on stage in coordinated poses.

Dance (BFA)
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Two individuals are examining a book together in a creative space. Both focused on the material.

Design (BDes)
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Two people are collaborating at a table. The man is interacting with a lighted object, while the woman focusing on the object.

Digital Media (BA)
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In a ceiling installation, one is adjusting lighting and hanging white flower-like structures.

Integrative Arts (BFA)
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A girl is playing the violin.

Music (BFA)
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Two actors are on stage, one in a red costume with a crown-like headpiece holding a staff, the other in a multi-coloured outfit in the background.

Theatre (BA | BFA)
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A group discussion at an event titled "Habitat 67: Nature Narratives at Canada's Centenary."

Visual Arts - Art History (BA)
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Visual Arts - Studio (BFA)
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Cinema & Media Studies (MA)
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Cinema & Media Studies (PhD)
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Design (MDes/MA)
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Film (MFA)
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A choir performing on stage, arranged in a semi-circle with a conductor in front. The backdrop features pink and purple lighting effects, and a piano is visible to the left.

Music (MA)
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A musician playing a saxophone in a band performance.

Music (PhD)
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A dramatic dance performance with multiple dancers in a theatrical setting, showcasing expressive movements and costumes.

Theatre, Dance, and Performance (MA)
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A romantic scene featuring a couple embracing on stage, surrounded by dramatic lighting and smoke.

Theatre, Dance, and Performance (PhD)
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A woman sits on a rug, arranging small objects while others watch in the background at an art event.

Visual Art (MFA)
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A group discussion at an event titled "Habitat 67: Nature Narratives at Canada's Centenary."

Art History & Visual Culture (MA)
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A person in a chair experiences a virtual reality simulation with a large curved screen displaying a cityscape.

Digital Media (MA) (MSc) (PhD) 
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* Available exclusively at our Markham Campus

This purple background highlights various roles and attributes of AMPD makers, including artists, designers, thinkers, collaborators, innovators, and experimenters. The image also features two photos of people, likely representing the diverse group of AMPD creators.

Check out what our students & alumni have to say

Theatre students and faculty members are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. I felt welcomed and encouraged each day as I navigated my way through first year. One thing that I found very interesting were the stagecraft labs (hand-sewing, machine-sewing, carpentry, lighting, scenic painting, sound editing). I truly enjoyed everything about first year.

Ava De Luca Mele

First-year Theatre student

The thing I enjoy about the Design program is that it's super hands-on. The professors, TAs and instructors are amazing and accommodating. It’s a small program, so I know everyone and everyone is really lovely. For students interested in applying, I really encourage you to start creating pieces that represent who you are as an artist and take advantage of events that York.

Ashley Loyst

Third-year Design Student

The community that is here in the studios is supportive and they love my work and they always cheer me on. They inspire me - I found my community.

Revill Villanueva (BFA ’23)

Visual Arts – Studio 

 

One of my favourite things about the Screenwriting program is that you can connect with real filmmakers, people who are actually out there and doing what you want to do, so you can watch things that they have made, and hear directly from them about their process; it is just really helpful to know what it takes to make it, and to develop your own stories.

Oliver B

Current student - Screenwriting

My degree in Theatre from York University taught me to think creatively and solve problems in unique ways. In theatre, no two shows are ever the same, just as every event I plan at Union Station brings new challenges and opportunities.

Alexa

Alumna (BFA '16), Theatre

 

My time at York taught me so much about working in the industry, not only as an actor, but as a well-rounded artist. Stepping into my professional career now, I often find myself going back to the basics I learned when starting new projects. Having the opportunity to work with and learn from professionals in their specialized fields allowed me to experience first-hand what goes into the creative process.

Aurora Matrix (BFA ’21)

runner-up on Canada’s Drag Race

Coming out of the Digital Media program gave me a unique advantage in being a front-end developer who has a creative background and is able to think a bit more creatively about development.

Daniel James (BA ’17)

Front-end Software Engineer – Helium Inc.

AMPD has everything—stimulating courses and excellent professors, support for our thesis projects, a stellar cohort, it’s a great place to do film.

Helen Lee (MFA 24)

Director of Tenderness, premiered as part of TIFF’s Short Cuts program in 2024