The Canadian College of Performing Arts is a private, post-secondary performing arts training institution in Victoria, British Columbia, founded in 1998.
The Canadian College of Performing Arts was founded in 1998 as a private, post-secondary training institution. It is owned and operated by The Canadian Heritage Arts Society, a registered charitable organization. The College is regulated by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. Its address is 1701 Elgin Rd., Victoria BC, V8R 5L7.
The College was created by co-founders Jacques Lemay and Janis Dunning, and grew out of their summer training and performance program, Spirit of a Nation, which originated at the Confederation Centre for the Arts in Charlottetown and toured nationally. It was established as a multidisciplinary training institution with an equal focus on acting, voice, dance, and career management training. Lemay and Dunning served as College Directors for twelve years, retiring in 2010. Under later leadership, the two one-year programs were amalgamated to create a two-year Enriched Performing Arts Diploma and a one-year Certificate in Performing Arts program.
The College's mission is to offer the highest quality of training in a broad spectrum of skills to prepare students for careers in the performing arts locally, nationally or internationally. Graduates of the Performing Arts Diploma and the Company C Studio Ensemble programs have a path to university transferability to obtain a Bachelor of Performing Arts degree. The Company C Studio Ensemble was expanded to twenty-one weeks, allowing for continued training, workshops, and mentorships alongside its core curriculum of three productions.
The College has over 850 alumni who have successfully entered the industry as performers and active artistic leaders. Eighty-five percent of graduates reported working professionally or continuing studies one year after graduating. In 2021, the College was recognized by Casting Workbook as One of the Top Canadian Acting Schools.
Facilities listed by the College include a Performance Hall, Studio B, dance studios, classrooms, a library and computer lab, and costume, prop and equipment rentals. Student amenities include a student kitchen, student lounge, shower, locker and laundry facilities, and washrooms. Support services include a campus counsellor and first-aid kits.
Admission routes include audition and interview admission for all programs (in person), early admission, video audition and online interview, and admission to the 6-Month Applied Performing Arts Certificate.