Our values and mission

Values Statement

We believe that:

• A distinctive education in the arts and humanities prepares our students for a future of personal growth and professional success
• Our integrated and multi-disciplinary approach places College of Arts graduates at the top of careers over the long term
• Our primary role is to cultivate and support intellectual rigour, critical acumen, and creative expression
• Each of our faculty members contributes creativity, experience, and reflection whether in the classroom or studio or online
• We share core responsibilities for fulfilling the vision of a learner-centred university and for encouraging experiential learning and student/faculty interaction
• We promote new knowledge and cultural innovation through path-breaking research
• Now, more than ever, our society needs the wisdom of the humanities and the insights afforded by the creative arts to help us learn about ourselves and the world around us.

Mission Statement

Our mission as the College of Arts is to explore the wisdom of the past and present across cultures and further a shared understanding of the complex relationships within the world around us. To do so, we:

• Offer a unique combination of the humanities and fine and performing arts at the bachelor, masters, and doctoral levels
• Strive for excellence in our specific areas of acknowledged strength while encouraging emergent areas of investigation
• Seek opportunities to further our national and international reputation as a leader in liberal arts teaching and research
• Pursue the dynamic interplay of theory and practice
• Contribute to and enliven the University’s reputation as one of Canada’s top teaching and research universities
• Encourage international perspectives, activities and studies abroad consistent with the aims of the University of Guelph.
• Enrich Canadian society by engaging its citizens to appreciate our humanistic and artistic traditions within a global context.

Vision Statement

We envision the College of Arts at the University of Guelph as the vibrant creative core of Canada’s top comprehensive university–a core that both enhances the curricula and enriches the greater community. The College of Arts will foster and showcase innovative research that brings together faculty members, undergraduate students and increasing numbers of graduate students within and across the rich traditions of the humanities and creative arts. We will pursue strong multi-disciplinary and international programs that ensure our graduates are well positioned for an increasingly global world. The College of Arts will lead arts and humanities research and education, and will achieve greater prominence, nationally and internationally, as a leader in the study of cultural transitions. Throughout the College, we will continue to offer premier programs that demonstrate ambition, energy, and leadership.