Orientation and Welcome Weeks Winter 2027
The Office of Opportunity and Belonging along with the rest of the Office of Student Experience are working closely with SUNSCAD to bring you an exciting variety of events, welcoming you to NSCAD University. These events will give you the opportunity to connect with your student union, meet new friends, and get a taste of what NSCAD has to offer.
To view all events and sign up, complete the RSVP form below.
The entire NSCAD community is thrilled to welcome you as you start your academic journey with us. We invite you to join us on January 6, 2027, at Orientation Day for ALL new incoming NSCAD students.
Attendance is strongly encouraged for all students, regardless of program and level of study as it will provide you with valuable information about your time at NSCAD and will invite you to meet and connect with Senior Administration, the Office of Student Experience, university staff, faculty, technicians, current students and most importantly– each other.
This will be an important day to learn about how we as a NSCAD Community will support and guide you through your studies here.
At this event, you will also collect your Student ID, campus access card, and much more!
Location
Orientation Day will be held at Fountain Campus (5163 Duke Street). You will receive an email from the Office of Opportunity & Belonging (belong@nscad.ca) inviting you to RSVP and providing more details.
Schedule of the Day
1:00 – 1:30 p.m. Registration in the Office of Student Experience
Arrive at the Office of Student Experience (2nd floor Fountain Campus), register, and head upstairs to grab a seat. This is where you’ll pick up your student ID, access card, and other important documents to keep handy throughout the year.
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Presentation – Getting to know NSCAD
Learn about and meet representatives from key offices and services across our three campuses that will support you during your time at NSCAD
Get an update on important dates and upcoming events including Welcome Weeks
Get to know your fellow classmates and the larger NSCAD community with an interactive ‘Get-to-Know-You’ BINGO game and compete to win prize packs filled with NSCAD Merch and art supplies.
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Bio Break and Transition Time
Take a stroll, use the bathroom, and make your way down to the second-floor student lounge and learning commons for afternoon activities.
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Real Talk & Tea: Meet the Student Wellness Team with Pizza
All new students are invited to wrap up the day by participating in an afternoon of social connection with the Student Wellness Team, fueled by tea, Pizza and snacks. We hope you’ll use this time to meet your fellow incoming classmates, connect with the senior students we’ve invited to participate in and lead activities, and get comfy as part of the NSCAD community!
4:30 p.m. End of New Student Orientation Day
Now it’s time to depart and prepare for the first day of Winter Semester on January 7th and connect with the pals you made today to plan for upcoming events.
Don’t forget! Orientation Day is just one event in a series of activities throughout the month of January designed to welcome you to NSCAD University, help you learn about what we have to offer, and invite you to get to know our larger community of students, staff, faculty, community collaborators, and most of all– each other!
In addition to the full Calendar of Events below, stay tuned for updates from our office by following @nscadstudentexperience on Instagram and keeping an eye on your @nscad.ca email address.
Reach out to belong@nscad.ca with any questions about Orientation or Welcome Weeks Events. We can’t wait to meet you!
Student Wellness Focus Group FAB, 1875 Granville Street (two doors down from Treaty Space Gallery) All Participants will receive a $20 Art Store Gift Card Your voice matters! Join us for a Student Wellness Focus Group as part of the province-wide Student Wellness Champion Program. This interactive session invites students to share their experiences, perspectives, and ideas on how we can create a healthier, more inclusive, and supportive campus community at NSCAD. Together, we’ll explore ways to increase mental health awareness, improve access to wellness resources, reduce stigma, and foster a campus culture where all students feel supported and empowered. Your feedback will help shape future student wellness initiatives at NSCAD! Head, Heart + Handies FAB, 1875 Granville Street (two doors down from Treaty Space Gallery) Join the Office of Opportunity & Belonging for an evening of Sexual Health Trivia Night hosted by Venus Envy! Come make new friends or bring along your besties and hope to leave with some treats– we’ll have NSCAD merch and Venus Envy Toys and more as prizes for each round. Come with a team to play or make friends when you arrive, we’ll play a few rounds of trivia with NSCAD merch and Venus Envy toys and treats as prizes at the end. Don’t worry– there will be lots of time for our local accessible sex-perts at Venus Envy to answer YOUR questions anonymously in between rounds! We hope you join us for this fun, informative, queer-affirming, and consent focused evening! Indigenous Students Beading & Sharing Circle Treaty Space Gallery, 1887 Granville Street (in Granville Mall Area) January 18, 2 – 4 p.m. Join us for an Indigenous Students Beading & Sharing Circle, a welcoming space to connect with fellow Indigenous students while learning and creating alongside a local beading facilitator. Through conversation and creativity, participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences at NSCAD and help shape a more supportive and inclusive student experience. Pilates and Nutrition Bar Pop-Up D241, Drawing Studio, 2nd Floor Fountain Campus January 26, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Move, nourish, and recharge! Join us for a Pop-Up Pilates session and Nutrition Snack Bar as part of Winter Welcome Weeks! Take a break from your busy schedule with an accessible, beginner-friendly Pilates class designed to build strength, release tension, and support your overall wellbeing. After class, enjoy a selection of nutritious snacks and learn simple ways to fuel your body and mind throughout the semester. All experience levels are welcome—come as you are, connect with fellow students, and start the semester feeling refreshed and energized! Pitewey Friday: Tea and Hangout for BIPOC Students Treaty Space Gallery, 1887 Granville Street (in Granville Mall Area) January 29th, 3 – 5 p.m. All BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) students are invited to tea and hangout event at the Treaty Space Gallery, an Indigenous led space at NSCAD. This is a fun, casual way to meet other students who identify as BIPOC and form connections with classmates from across programs and campuses. If you’re an international student and/or this term is new to you, “BIPOC” is often used in Canada to highlight and celebrate the experiences of people who identify as non-white,visible minorities, including both newcomers and those whose communities and have long histories here. To view all events and sign up visit: Winter 2027 Welcome Weeks RSVP Form – Fill out form
January 11, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
January 13, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Indigenous Arts Workshop
Drawing Studio D241, Fountain Campus
TBA
All NSCAD students are invited to celebrate and learn about Mi’kmaw history and culture through traditional art forms and storytelling.