The first art courses in Saskatchewan were Elementary and Advanced drawing classes taught by Sheldon-Williams from 1916 to 1920 at Regina College, a residential school founded by the Methodist Church in 1911. Following 1931, no art courses were offered again until 1936, when Regina College became a Junior College of the University of Saskatchewan and Augustus Kenderdine was appointed.

In 1950, Kenneth Lochhead became the next full-time director. He had a youthful energy and a desire to expose students to what was going on elsewhere in the visual arts community. This fertile environment coincided with other developments at the College and in the province, resulting in a renaissance in Saskatchewan art. These events included the appointment of Ron Bloore as Instructor of Art and Archaeology and as director of the Mackenzie Art Gallery, and Arthur McKay as Special Lecturer with the School of Art.

In 1969 a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Visual Arts became available from the Regina Campus. By 1971, it had also established one of the first Master of Fine Arts programs in the country. Sole administrative responsibility for the arts program came with the creation of the independent University of Regina in 1974. Responsibility for the arts program at Emma Lake also returned to the University of Saskatchewan at this time.