After years of cuts, Alberta arts education making comeback with new UofL program

A major university in Alberta is launching a new fine arts program, going against the trend of arts programs disappearing over the past decade.

The University of Lethbridge (UofL) is launching a new “Cinema and Media Studies” major this fall, offered through the university’s fine arts faculty and designed to combine media studies with practical film and content creation.

The announcement comes as Alberta’s film and television industry continues to grow, supporting over 9,000 jobs province‑wide, and productions increasingly choosing Alberta for filming, post‑production, and visual effects work.

Earlier in January, the provincial government announced millions of dollars in new funding for Alberta’s film and TV industry, which the government says is aimed at keeping Alberta talent working here and building a full production pipeline inside the province.

This also follows a previous investment made in 2025.

Now, for students looking to enter that pipeline, the UofL says it is stepping in.

“Having a robust showing of media-savvy folk in southern Alberta shows how important we feel moving image industries are in the region,” said instructor Ryan Harper-Brown in a release.

University officials say the program blends film history and media theory with hands‑on creative training, using professional‑level technology and equipment. The goal is to prepare students for careers in film, television, broadcasting, and the broader creative economy.

Applications for the new major open in February, with the first intake planned for the fall semester.

Sharp contrast with the past

The move stands in stark contrast with what happened across Alberta just over a decade ago.

In 2013, major provincial funding cuts led to the elimination or suspension of numerous fine arts programs, including Mount Royal University in Calgary, which cut its theatre and music diplomas, while the University of Alberta suspended admissions to more than 20 arts programs.

While many of those programs haven’t returned, the UofL says it is choosing to expand.

“We live in a media-rich world, and having the tools to navigate it are a necessity,” said Harper-Brown.

“Our students and alumni are uniquely situated to take advantage of this landscape, and their flexible skill sets are extremely valuable when they enter the workforce. The rising number of productions coming to the region and the beautiful, untapped locations are ripe for more creative industries to move to the region.”