Access to dissertations and theses is becoming increasingly easier as a result of digitalization projects such as UMI's Current Research, which at the present time provides full-text access to dissertations published after 1996. However, access to retrospective titles continues to prove difficult. This bibliography addresses some of the limitations of Dissertation Abstracts, especially in uncovering works below the doctoral level and those produced in Canada's French-language universities.

While Canadian research is accessible by title and keyword through the National Library of Canada's checklists, covering the period from 1821 onwards, there are few existing publications that provide abstracts. Existing annotated bibliographies in the field of fine arts in Canada merely cover dissertations written prior to 1981. This book identifies 1765 theses or dissertations dealing with Canadian art or built architecture in Canada, excluding studio projects and works on landscape architecture. Chronologically, these works cover a time span from 1924 to 1999.

The bibliography is divided into 25 sections, 13 dealing with art and 12 dealing with architecture. Works are listed in the category considered most descriptive of content, with cross-references to other relevant sections. Author, institution, and detailed subject indexes are provided, along with order numbers where available. All abstracts are in English, although approximately 40 percent of the works included were written in French, with a few in other languages.

A specialized but needed resource reference work for librarians, art and architecture historians, and students of Canadian art and architecture.