University of Toronto Scarborough

Undergraduate Specialist and Specialist (Co-operative) Programs in Arts Management

Arts Management Programs, Humanities Department
1265 Military Trail
Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4
Canada
Main Phone: 416-287-7160
Main E-Mail: helwig@utsc.utoronto.ca

Degree/Credential: Undergraduate (Honours BA)
Web Site: http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/artsmanagement/

Program Director: SHelwig [link available to AAAE members only]

Program Goals and Objectives

The limited-enrollment, competitive-entry, highly-regarded Specialist Programs in Arts Management at the University of Toronto developed from early foundations in 1984 into an internationally recognized and respected set of programs known for their significant arts focus and their highly skilled and insightful graduates.

The Arts Management programs are designed for students with an interest in the arts and in leadership and management, primarily within the not-for-profit sector. These programs offer a well-rounded undergraduate education that includes an ideal balance of courses within one or two arts disciplines, business-school management and economics, and a wealth of arts-specific management courses that is the largest, most robust and most varied within degree programs in the country.

Both programs have exceptionally high standards and similar academic and curriculum-driven experiential learning opportunities. The primary differences between the two programs are the additional requirements of the Co-op program: the students must retain a higher GPA, take two additional courses, and complete two work placements of a minimum 12 weeks each.

Administration of the Program

The Arts Management programs are a part of the collaborative Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) discipline within the Humanities Department at the University of Toronto Scarborough, one of three campuses that make up Canada’s largest university, the University of Toronto. VPA also includes Drama, Music, Art History, Studio, and interdisciplinary programs including Curatorial Studies.

The Arts Management programs are managed by the Program Supervisor, Sherri Helwig. The Co-operative program is supported by Employer and Student Development teams through the Arts & Science Co-op office. Both programs are further supported by an Advisory Council of external members who represent exhibiting and performing arts institutions, arts councils, arts service organizations, funding bodies, arts consultants, artist managers, and the arts education sector. These volunteers provide advice to the Chair of Humanities and the Program Supervisor on curriculum, experiential learning and workplace issues, and many facilitate workshops and guest lectures and participate in sessions and interviews developed by the Arts & Science Co-op office.

Curriculum

The programs take a minimum of four years to complete and require the fulfillment of 20 full credits (40 one-semester courses) which include: seven credits (14 courses) in the arts management core program, two full credits (four courses) in the management field, six to eight full credits (12-16 courses) from one or two artistic field(s), and a further three to five full credits (six to ten courses) from the elective field.

Arts Management courses:

VPAA10H - Introduction to Arts Management
VPAA12H - Audience and Resource Development
VPAB05H - Introduction to Contemporary Cultural Theory
VPAB06H - Challenging Normative Values in Art, Culture and Society
VPAB13H - Financial Management for Arts Managers
VPAB15H - Arts Education and Outreach
VPAB16H - Managing and Leading in Cultural Organizations
VPAC13H - Planning and Project Management in the Arts and Cultural Sector
VPAC15H - Cultural Policy
VPAC16H - Legal and Human Resource Issues in Arts Management
VPAC17H - Arts Marketing
VPAC18H - Arts Fundraising and Development
VPAC19H - Performing Arts Management: Principles and Practices
VPAC20H - Visual Arts Management: Principles and Practices
VPAD06H - Planning for Equity and Diversity in Arts Organizations
VPAD12H - Senior Seminar in Arts Management
VPAD13H - Art, Culture, and Policy
VPAD14H - Independent Studies in Arts Management

Management courses:

MGTA03H - Introduction to Management I
MGTA04H - Introduction to Management II
Plus one additional full credit from Management or Economics (normally at the C level)

Arts Discipline courses:

follow or complete the requirements established for a Major program in an artistic discipline within the Visual and Performing Arts, or
complete the requirements established for two Minor programs, at least one of which must be in an artistic discipline within the Visual and Performing Arts

Elective courses:

The purpose of the elective field is to allow students some flexibility in shaping a degree to their interests and future needs. Arts Management students are encouraged to use their elective credits to take courses outside their area(s) of concentration in order to broaden their understanding of contemporary issues and their historical context and to enhance their communication skills. It is strongly recommended that students take relevant courses in other programs such as HUMA01 - Exploring Key Questions in Humanities and HUMB11H - Critical Thinking, Reasoning and Decision Making.

Co-op requirements:

Students in the Co-operative program also complete two paid work terms of a minimum 12 weeks / 30 hours per week. They also complete two additional non-credit, tuition-free courses (a Work Prep course and a Computer Skills course).

Admissions

Enrolment in the program is limited and entry is competitive. Admission offers are extended on the basis of the applicants’ academic performance, leadership experiences, background in one or more of the arts, and demonstrated interest and potential ability in Arts Management as determined through a Supplementary Application Form and, in many cases, an interview.

Current information about admissions is available on the following sites:

General Admissions Information: http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~admliaison/

Co-op-specific Admissions information: http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~askcoop/student/admissions.htm

Ontario Universities’ Application Centre: http://www.ouac.on.ca/undergrad/undergrad.html