Dean's Foreword
In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) in performing arts attained a prestigious position within the top 120 worldwide. Among Canadian universities, York’s performing arts ranks in the top five.
York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) is internationally recognized as an incubator for performing arts innovation. The first university in Canada to offer jazz and gospel as part of its Music degree program, York continues to advance and modernize its programming for diverse student performers.
Prospective students worldwide can now experience AMPD 24/7, 365. The School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) has unveiled a new virtual tour resource to showcase its 300,000-square-feet worth of facilities, share student stories and highlight experiential education opportunities.
The AMPD Virtual Tour allows visitors to view state-of-the-art facilities associated with different departments and programs within AMPD, including cinema and media arts, dance, design, digital media, music, theatre, visual art and art history, as well as integrative arts. A total of eight tours are available, with different “scenes” contained in each tour that students can interact with in a similar way that they would at an open house.
AMPD AT A GLANCE
Students
30+
Competitive Degree Programs
3,000+
Diverse and Socially Engaged Students
20,000+
Alumni
Research
$10M
Research Funding
100+
Actively funded research projects in AMPD
$550+M
Awarded to endowed research chairs, post-doctoral fellows and student research assistants
9
Royal Society of Canada members
3
Order of Canada
4
Governor General’s Awards
3
Current Canada Research Chairs
4
Current York Research Chairs
1
Killam Prize
1
Canada Council Molson Prize
3
Governor General’s Gold Medal Awards (Doctorate)
Shaking Up Shakespeare: New Podcast Examines Shakespeare's Role in Canadian Theatre
In a new initiative, a ten-episode podcast series titled "Shaking Up Shakespeare" promises to redefine the conversation around William Shakespeare's influence on Canadian theatre. The series, part of the Resetting the Stage project, funded by a Tier 2 York Research Chair in Theatre and Performance, explores the legacy of Shakespeare's work within the context of Canadian society, shedding light on issues of diversity, colonialism, and accessibility.
Explore More Stories
-
Laura Levin named part of core Connected Minds team
Learn More -
Taien Ng-Chan named York Research Chair in Marginal & Emergent Media
Learn More -
Project Champions Audiovisual Heritage of Minoritized Communities
Learn More -
Jane Tingley’s rethinking the world’s relationship with plants and other vegetal life
Learn More -
AMPD Championed Creativity at Nuit Blanche 2023
Learn More -
York U and Australia’s QUT researchers join forces for positive impact on globally distanced generations
Learn More
Anna Hudson received 2.5M SSHRC funding for project addressing cultural sovereignty for Inuit, Sámi and Alaska Native decolonization
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) announced nearly $10 million in Partnerships Grants funding for four York University researchers, who study pressing societal issues from both local and global perspectives.
York University Leads Ontario in Culturally Diverse Performing Arts Education, Study Reveals
In a new research report conducted by Community Researchers, the York University School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) has been ranked the #1 University in Ontario for the cultural diversity of its performing arts curricula in Music and Dance. The comprehensive study, spanning June to July 2023, analyzed 77 performing arts programs and over 6,000 performing arts courses across Ontario colleges and universities. This accolade affirms York University’s commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and positive change in performing arts education.
The research was conducted by Community Researchers, a non-profit organization that connects young researchers with experienced mentors for community research projects, aiming to serve communities and support the career development of young individuals.
Explore More Stories
-
Eight new faces joined the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design
Learn More -
York U Motion Media Studio a hub for future creative talent
Learn More -
Department of Dance and the Harriet Tubman Institute hosted a screening of the biographical documentary MABOUNGOU: Being in the World
Learn More -
New online database makes York’s art collection accessible
Learn More -
AMPD Professor Karen Burke's Influence on Black Gospel Music Education in Canadian Academia
Learn More -
Exploring Philippine Folk Dance and Culture: A Summer Abroad Course with Dr. Patrick Alcedo
Learn More -
INDUSTRY TALKS: Spotlight on R.T. Thorne at YUMMS
Learn More
Hands-on green screen course an AMPD hit
An intensive five-week course called Shooting the Set offered 30 students valuable experience working with a green screen, taking advantage of York University’s Motion Media Studio (YUMMS), which is based at Cinespace Film Studios, the company’s one-million-square-foot industry studio space in Toronto.
The experiential education (EE) course – created during the pandemic by Ingrid Veninger, assistant professor of cinema and media arts, and John Greyson, associate professor of cinema and media arts at the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) – made its in-person debut in May. Students in the course had the opportunity to study current aesthetics and practices of new neo-realist cinema; workshop a broad range of film studio and green screen methods; be trained in professional on-set and studio production techniques; work in teams to develop, script and shoot original short dramatic films; and perform key creative roles on at least two dramatic shoots.
Professor Janine Marchessault among 2024 Killam Prize recipients
York University Professor Dr. Janine Marchessault was named one of the five recipients of the prestigious 2024 Killam Prize, recognized for her contributions to community-based public art, research-creation, and public outreach. The announcement, made on March 19, 2024, highlighted Marchessault's achievements in the Humanities category, honoring her leadership as a Professor of Cinema and Media Arts and her work as the principal investigator for the Archive/Counter-Archive project, which focuses on preserving diverse and marginalized histories in Canada.
Explore More Stories
-
Danielle Robinson and Robyn Cumming receive AMPD Teaching Awards
Learn More -
Jamie Robinson receives Nathan Cohen Award, Outstanding Critical Essay for “The Conscious-Casting Conundrum”
Learn More -
Christina Petrowska Quilico honoured with 2023 Oskar Morawetz Award for Excellence in Music Performance
Learn More -
AMPD professor Ali Kazimi inducted into the 2023 Royal Society of Canada (RSC)
Learn More -
York Alum's Documentary 'To Kill a Tiger' Nominated for Oscar in Documentary Feature Category
Learn More -
York University's Noam Lemish Nominated for 2024 JUNO Award in Jazz Category
Learn More
Canadian Screen Awards
At the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, alumni from York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) were recognized for their outstanding contributions to film, television and digital media. Their collective achievements resulted in over a dozen Canadian Screen Awards.
Going into Canadian Screen Week, more than 40 AMPD alumni were nominated across 28 categories. Among the winners were Matthew Miller (BFA ’03) (MFA ’16) and Matt Johnson (BFA ’06) (MFA ’16), who took home three awards for their film, Blackberry, including Best Motion Picture. Notably, the team behind Blackberry had an impressive lineup of 16 AMPD alumni whose combined talent secured the film’s Best Motion Picture award at this year’s ceremony. The success of these alumni underscores their talent and contributions to the Canadian entertainment industry.
Explore More Stories
-
York dancers star in Toronto premiere of acclaimed show ‘Colossus’
Learn More -
Congress 2023 attendees got a taste of the arts at York
Learn More -
AMPD alum named new imagineNATIVE festival director
Learn More -
York University Department of Design Alumni Exhibition at DesignTO Festival 2023
Learn More -
AMPD Alum Appointed Executive Director of Toronto Fringe
Learn More -
Royal Canadian Mint Selects Coin Design by AMPD Alum Jai Paek
Learn More -
Dance Innovations 2023: York University Unveils Infinite Corners, a Dazzling Showcase of Creative Resilience
Learn More -
York University Alumnus Beau Han Bridge's Film, "Moving Matter," to Premiere at the Dance on Camera Festival
Learn More -
BFA Alumna Iris Ng Receives Hot Docs Spotlight
Learn More -
Integrative Arts Inaugural Student Showcase Emphasizes Interdisciplinarity of the Program
Learn More -
2024 Dean’s Student Leadership Award Recipient Announced
Learn More
AMPD student joins history making internship with CBC and HBO Max dramedy "Sort Of"
The second season of the dramedy Sort Of introduced a mentorship program for trans and non-binary film professionals, offering a valuable experiential education opportunity to a select group, including one student from York University's School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD). Developed by the Trans Film Mentorship (TFM) in collaboration with Sphere Media, the program provided hands-on experience in various production departments. This initiative not only helped bridge the gap in diversity behind the scenes but also allowed the AMPD student to gain practical industry skills on a high-profile Canadian television set.
AMPD Alumni Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival
The 46th annual Toronto International Film Festival features alumni talent from AMPD on screen. "From Matt Johnson & Matt Miller’s Blackberry in wide theatrical release, Salar Pashtoonar’s Bad Omen receiving a Student Academy Award, countless invitations to the Berlinale, TIFF, HotDocs, and essentially every other film festival around the globe – each recognition of a work by a York graduate from the BFA or MFA program is also an endorsement of the creative collaboration between faculty, staff and students at York University’s production and screenwriting program to nurture creative talent in an inclusive and supportive environment."
THANKS DONORS
“Thank you” often doesn’t seem enough – though we do it loudly and frequently, and with the utmost sincerity. We have so many very generous supporters of AMPD, both long-term and brand new every year, and we are grateful for each and every one of you. It has been a banner year of support for AMPD!
When you give to AMPD, whether in gifts of equipment and materials, your time, space to excel, gifts in your will or direct funds, you are helping our students reach their true potential. You are helping us provide the best possible educational opportunities to young people, regardless of their circumstances.
For breaking down boundaries and removing obstacles through your philanthropy, our most sincere and heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of you!
Also a very special thank you to supporters of our York University Motion Media Studio.
Director of Development, School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design
Len Milley
How to Give
Donations to AMPD support student financial aid, innovative research, and the development of world-class facilities and teaching methods, helping to shape the next generation of changemakers. Whether through monthly, scheduled, or one-time gifts, your contribution plays a vital role in advancing long-term projects and programs that benefit students and the community.
Explore More Stories
-
Justice Fund announced gift to AMPD for Black, Indigenous students’ arts education
Learn More -
$40K donation from Nick Nurse supports AMPD high school initiative
Learn More -
Markham Councillor Yeung Collucci establishes $25K scholarship for AMPD Creative Technologies students Give Today
Learn More
Final Mile Club Podcast hosted by Dean Sarah Bay-Cheng
-
The Business of Fine Arts: Strategic Thinking for the Creative Mind
Featuring Shayna Haddon
Learn More -
-