Sheridan College

Sheridan College is a public polytechnic institution in Ontario, Canada, offering education and applied research across animation, visual effects, interactive media and other professional disciplines. Founded in 1967 with approximately 400 students in a converted public school, it developed into a multidisciplinary institution serving full-time and continuing education learners across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Its Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design provides training in classical and digital character animation, computer animation, visual effects, storyboarding, character design and concept art. Sheridan introduced its classical animation curriculum in the late 1960s in response to talent shortages in North American film production. Its graduates have gone on to creative and technical roles at animation and visual effects companies including Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Imageworks and Nelvana.

Education and industry practice

The college’s offerings include the four-year Honours Bachelor of Animation, the Honours Bachelor of 3D Animation and Emerging Technologies, and the Master of Animation, Games, and Immersive Experiences. Postgraduate certificates provide further specialization in computer animation, digital creature animation and visual effects. Virtual production micro-credentials and professional workshops extend its training to emerging screen production practices.

Teaching connects with industry through co-op placement partnerships, capstone production mentorship and applied research. Areas of study and development span animation for film and television, game design, interactive entertainment, virtual production and immersive media. This combines artistic development with technical preparation for production environments.

Sheridan established the Screen Industries Research and Training Centre in 2010 to support research, prototyping and access to production technology for industry and academic partners. Alongside its screen arts focus, the wider institution teaches business, engineering technology, applied health and community services. In 2003, Sheridan was formally redesignated as an Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, reflecting its broader educational remit.