What is Arts West?
Westmount Collegiate Institute is home to one of four YRDSB specialized regional Arts programs for students who want to immerse themselves more deeply in the Arts experience. Arts West students are provided with opportunities for additional workshops, field trips and showcase opportunities. Students thrive in the inclusive Arts community amongst like-minded peers who have a passion for the arts. They bond with their peers in the program, making life long friendships while growing as artists and honing their skills and style.
Admission to the Arts West program at the grade nine level is based on an application process. Students earn an Arts West certificate by successfully completing at least 6 Arts West credits.
Students select one discipline as their focus for the Arts West program, though students are welcome to take non Arts-West designated courses outside of their chosen discipline throughout their years of high school.
- Visual Arts
- Drama
- Dance
- Music (vocal, instrumental)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You may apply to 2 disciplines. However, you may only accept an offer to 1 discipline.
We offer Arts West disciplines in:
- Visual Arts
- Drama
- Dance
- Music (Vocal)
- Music (Instrumental)
If you auditioned for 2 disciplines and received successful offers in both, you must choose 1 discipline. However, if you would like to switch to the other discipline at a later time (if there is space in the class), you must obtain permission from the department heads in order to do so, and arrange schedule changes with guidance. You do not need to repeat the audition process if you were already successful for this discipline when you first applied.
If you want to switch to a discipline for which you did not audition, you must complete the audition process at the prescribed timelines as a new applicant.
It is best to avoid switching disciplines, as opportunities to learn foundational skills are missed.
After registering on EDSBY, an application package will be emailed to you with specific instructions of what to include in your application portfolio.
Typically, our portfolio application includes:
- Creation of one original artwork as a response to 1 of 4 prompt words that will be provided in the application package
- All the process work that supports the creation of the original artwork (brainstorming, thumbnail sketches / rough sketches, visual research, progress photos)
- 3 additional artworks of your choice that showcase your artistic or creative capabilities
Ideally, we are looking for demonstration of a range of creative and technical skills. We like to see how you think & brainstorm through initial ideas, and how you practice your techniques through rough work. Having your own original ideas is key.
We like seeing evidence of exploration through a variety of art making medias (ex: pencil, pen, pencil crayon, acrylic paint, watercolour, pastel, printmaking, digital, sculpture, etc).
We recommend including variety in your portfolio, rather than repetition of one or two skills, mediums, or subject matter.
No, each of the 4 disciplines will have their own set of instructions of what the applicant needs to complete for the audition process.
Please attend our ARTS WEST Open House! There will be student representatives from the program you can speak to, as well as teachers, tour the classrooms, and participate in hands-on activities.
- Arts West Open House: Mon Nov 10, 2025.
No, you do not need prior experience in Visual Arts in order to be successful in your audition. We accept students into the Arts West program with a wide range of skills, experiences, and interests. We are looking for creative students who are passionate about the arts, are willing to work hard, and want to explore their artistic capabilities. We are looking for students with a positive attitude towards learning, and a growth mindset.
Yes. We accommodate students with IEPs all the time, in the same way as we would in any other class.
Being part of the Arts West program means you progress through the 8 Arts West courses in a cohort of consistent peers from grade 9-12. This helps form very strong bonds with your peers. You will have opportunities to participate in specialized field trips, workshops, exhibitions, and art-based projects, that will help hone your skill and widen your exposure to different techniques as an artist. In addition to access to all shared classroom materials, you will also receive a kit of carefully selected art-making tools & equipment each year that you get to keep as your own.
No. All required materials will be provided for you in the classroom, including art kits each year with materials for you to keep. However, you are always welcome to purchase your own materials based on your preferences or creative desires.
Yes, you can have later entry into the Arts West program, but this is subject to availability in the class. Students can complete the January audition process and begin in semester 2 of grade 9, semester 1 of grade 10, and in some cases, semester 2 of grade 10. We typically do not admit students into the Arts West program after grade 10, as they will have missed too many Arts West classes at that point.
It is best to join in grade 9, as those who join late miss opportunities to learn foundational skills.
Students in the Arts West program commit to taking 2 Arts West courses per year, totalling 8 courses by the end of grade 12.
- Grade 9: Visual Arts: Arts West semester 1 & Arts West semester 2
- Grade 10: Visual Arts: Arts West semester 1 & Arts West semester 2
- Grade 11: Visual Arts: Arts West semester 1 & Arts West semester 2
- Grade 12: Visual Arts: Arts West semester 1 & Arts West semester 2
In addition, students are welcome to take open-level visual arts classes, such as:
- Media Arts (Grade 10)
- Photography (Grade 11 & 12)
- Industrial Design (Grade 11 & 12)
They may also take open-level courses in music, drama, or dance.
Yes! We have had many Arts West students graduate from our program who have moved on to study arts-based programs at OCADU, York University, TMU, Sheridan, Seneca, Waterloo, Humber, etc.
Arts West graduates have pursued programs such as: Studio Fine Arts, Painting & Drawing, Printmaking, Illustration, Animation, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Architecture, Film Studies, Fashion, etc.
Yes! Students taking the arts develop a number of skills that are highly transferable to other sectors including strong lateral thinking skills, presentation skills, self-regulation, resiliency, creativity, interpersonal skills, project development skills, time management skills, a sense of pride and achievement, focus and concentration, attention to detail, improved coordination, ability to follow through, problem solving skills, and social skills. In addition, you will develop strong friendships with like-minded peers who are passionate about the arts. The Arts West program is beneficial regardless of what your post-secondary destination is.