Arts Management

Centennial College's Arts Management Graduate Certificate program will prepare you for a career in the evolving arts and cultural industry. The courses in this two-semester program focus on helping you to develop the knowledge and skills to work in the performing arts sector (theatres, dance companies, music organizations, presenting facilities), the exhibiting arts sector (galleries, museums), and many other cultural and arts-related areas such as arts and film festivals.

The program will explore the issues and practices that allow cultural organizations to build audiences and flourish today — and in the years to come. Facilitated at the Story Arts Centre, courses will combine business management, marketing and planning with the tools required to connect art, artists and audiences through fundraising, education and volunteerism.

Extensive experiential learning opportunities will connect principles with practice, actively engaging you with the arts management profession. As part of an eight-week field placement, you'll also have the opportunity to apply your learning in the industry.

When you graduate from Arts Management, you'll have a thorough understanding of the political, economic, social, ethical, technological and managerial issues facing this sector.

Program Highlights

• The Arts Management program will emphasize professional-quality work to ensure you graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to manage and lead in the industry.
• Through mentorships and partnerships with the arts sector, a number of career options can be explored.
• A well-designed and well-implemented final-semester fieldwork component, which you'll be able to complete in any location, will provide you with an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on industry experience.

Career Outlook

• Community outreach coordinator
• Sales and marketing coordinator
• Volunteer coordinator
• Education and learning coordinator
• Event coordinator
• Fundraising coordinator
• Sponsorship coordinator
• Partnership coordinator
• Visitor services coordinator
• Public programs coordinator

Education Pathways

Graduates of this Arts Management graduate certificate program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study. Listed below are the degree(s) from partnering institutions that are available for this program.

Please note that each partner has minimum admission requirements in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving partner institution.

Please visit our website at //centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/ for more information on articulation agreements.

For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.

Placement Partners

Below are a few of the companies and organizations that we work with to offer field placement opportunities:

• National Ballet of Canada 
• Prologue to the Performing Arts
• Evergreen Brickworks
• Luminato Festival
• Toronto Arts Council
• Soulpepper Theatre
• North York Arts
• Arts Etobicoke
• Nuit Blanche
• Sketch Working Arts
• Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
• Inside Out Film Festival
• Toronto International Film Festival
• Koffler Centre of the Arts

Additional Mentorship and Storyworks’ partners:

• Fall for Dance North Festival
• Fort York
• Gallery 44
• Ontario Science Centre
• Obsidian Theatre
• East End Arts
• Vibe Arts
• Tarragon Theatre
• Gardiner Museum

Areas of Employment

• Theatres
• Music organizations
• Dance companies
• Art galleries
• Museums
• Festivals
• Opera companies
• Performing arts centres
• Art councils
• Cultural organizations

Academic Requirements

• Degree or a three-year college diploma in any discipline
• We will consider applicants who have successfully completed partial post-secondary education (minimum two years) and have relevant work experience.

Additional Requirements

• English language proficiency

Note:

Students who are accepted into the program will be invited to:

• Submit a resume and/or complete an intake questionnaire after receiving their offer
• Attend a mandatory Program Welcome Session* online, prior to program start up.

*All new students must attend a session prior to their program start date.

1. Apply Online

Domestic Students

If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please apply at the Employment Training Centre (Progress Campus). The Better Jobs Ontario Program is a funding initiative for those who have been laid-off and are in need of training. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario Program.

If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.

All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $125 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.

International Students

 Apply directly to Centennial College here.

2. Submit Documents

Domestic Applicants

Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.

Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.

Domestic applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS). For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.

International Applicants

Please refer to the International Education Application Guide.

3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission

Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.

You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.

You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.

When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.

4. Pay Fees

Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.

You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.

5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)

Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.

Fall registration begins mid-July
January registration begins mid-December
May registration begins mid-April

Your web-registration will not open if:

You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.

Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.

Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2024.

Technology Requirements

Bring IT programs will require students to own and use a mobile computing device that meets or exceeds the recommended hardware requirements.

Note: If you require accommodation for a documented disability, please consider your adaptive technology needs when you select a device for your BringIT programs (click for recommendations). If you wish to access disability services, please make an appointment with the Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services, by calling 416-289-5000, ext. 3850, or by email at calcs@centennialcollege.ca.

Have questions? Check out Frequently Asked Questions for our Bring IT Program.

Students from this program will require to own/purchase a device and software relevant to the program:

Minimum Recommended Hardware Specifications

• MacBook Pro 13-inch
  OR
• Laptop with Windows 7 or operating system capable of running the current version of Adobe software

Minimum Required Software

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 2010 or higher version
• Optional: Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, or Adobe Creative Cloud

You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection. High speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) with minimum 10mbps download speed is highly recommended. Some courses have more advanced system requirements.

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.

1. Develop strategies to define your own career objectives and understanding of the arts sector through building networks that will inform your professional goals while allowing you to practice advocacy skills on behalf of the arts you represent.
2. Plan and implement strategic business models into management of arts organizations through effective financial, legal and organizational practices.
3. Research, identify, construct and evaluate arts programming that is consistent with the vision and mandate of an arts organization.
4. Develop and integrate strategic marketing and community development skills that stimulate public access to the arts and address issues of diversity and accessibility.
5. Research, develop and implement effective fundraising materials and programs for multiple prospects across a variety of individual, corporate, foundation and government campaigns.
6. Use sound project management theory to plan and execute a team-based arts management event.
7. Evaluate and use the most appropriate technologies to advance marketing, programming, financial and development objectives in an arts organization
8. Assess best practices in the management of human resources through effective leadership skills and appropriate legal and policy initiatives.

Faculty Bios

Rebecca Peirson

Professor/Program Coordinator

Rebecca is a seasoned arts marketing professional. She managed Mongrel Media’s Theatrical and Video Marketing and Sales departments, was the Marketing Manager at the National Film Board of Canada, the Marketing and Communications Director at Nightwood Theatre, the Associate Director of Marketing and Audience Development at Luminato Festival as well as the Marketing Manager at Crow’s Theatre. Rebecca currently sits on the Board of the Association of Arts Administration Educators.

As Program Coordinator of the Arts Management program at Centennial College, Rebecca brings a wealth of organizational and administrative experience to her lead role as well as solid post secondary teaching experience – Centennial’s Arts Management and Museums and Cultural Management programs as well as Seneca College’s Event Marketing program. From January 2019 to January 2020, she was hired as the interim Chair of the Arts and Design department at Centennial’s School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design as well as continuing her role as the Arts Management Coordinator.

Richard Lefebvre

Professor

Richard is a professional fundraiser with over 15 years of experience. Formally trained as a dancer at Canada’s National Ballet School, Richard decided to combine his passion for business, arts, and community involvement that led to his successful career in arts administration.

Richard has cumulatively raised over $75 million during his career, working with Canada’s National Ballet School, Young People’s Theatre, and Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada to name a few. Currently, as Senior Manager, Special Gifts at The National Ballet of Canada, Richard’s focus is on strategic gift planning where he oversees the National Ballet’s legacy giving program. Richard works closely with volunteers, donors, subscribers and their advisors to structure legacy gifts that will provide future support for the National Ballet.

Diana Webley

Professor

Diana has over 15 years of experience in the Arts and Culture Industry and has worked extensively in the North American market to develop mentorship, networking and partnership opportunities and is currently working to expand to the global market. Diana is the Senior Producer at Harbourfront Centre which produces over a thousand events per year featuring hundreds of artists involving innovative cultural exchanges.  Diana specializes in artistic direction, planning, programming, development and producing. For three years she volunteered on the Board of Directors at CaribbeanTales International Film Festival, eventually becoming the Festival Director for their 15th Anniversary 2020 virtual edition. Diana joined the faculty team in 2018 at Centennial College in the Arts Management Program and recently accepted a new role as the Acting Manager in the Cultural Engagement Department at Harbourfront Centre.

Onika Powell

Professor

Onika brings over 20 years of experience in the arts as a Creative with work spanning North America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Africa. An alumnus of York University with a degree in Public Service and Liberal Arts studies, she is the Artistic Director for the community arts organization, VIBE Arts; providing a professional focus on mentorship. In addition, Onika co-founded and maintains the role of Director of the non-profit dance company, D’LYFE and also GoLEFT Creatives, a creative service, and consultation company. She currently serves as Financial Secretary of the Greater Toronto Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Her years of experience and passion for the arts and community provide insight within (and outside) the arts sector.

Rupal Shah

Professor

Rupal is currently Director, Policy & Programs at Toronto Arts Council. She is an experienced and inventive cultural manager with over 20 years of experience leading, supporting and collaborating with artists and communities. Most recently, she was Interim Associate Director of Granting at Ontario Arts Council. In 2021, she led the creation of a national community of practice as part of the Healthy Communities Initiative, a federal funding program supporting Canadian infrastructure and placemaking initiatives in the wake of COVID-19. Rupal began her career supporting Canadian theatre artists and performance creators through leadership roles at Nightswimming, Obsidian Theatre, and Summerworks Performance Festival. She then came to Toronto Arts Council where she managed funding programs and partnerships as Strategic Programs Manager. She currently teaches in the Arts Management Program at Centennial College.

Tara Mazurk

Professor

Tara Mazurk is a seasoned arts advocacy and government relations professional working with PAA Advisory | Conseils to support numerous arts organizations and associations in their federal advocacy work. Prior to her role at PAA, Tara helped co-found Mass Culture, a Canadian cultural research network, and held various positions with the Ontario Nonprofit Network and Canadian Artists’ Representation (CARFAC). She has volunteered on the Canadian Arts Coalition Steering Committee and currently sits on the Board of ArtsBuild Ontario.

Tara brings over 10 years of direct, hands-on industry experience to the Arts Policy, Equity & Activism course within the Arts Management program at Cenntennial college, and has supported additional arts advocacy training through her work with OCAD U’s micro-credential, Developing Effective Government Relations and Advocacy Strategies for Canadian Arts Organizations. Her teaching is complemented with a particular focus on cultural policy within the not-for-profit and charitable sector, artist rights, policy research and writing, network stewardship and coalition-building.

Dawn Marie Schlegel

Professor

Dawn Marie is the Director of Legacy Giving at the Stratford Festival. With over 23 years of experience in fundraising, her work focuses primarily on major and legacy giving. Previously, she was the VP, Philanthropy at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Director of Development for the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto and worked with the Canadian Opera Company for over 10 years as the Associate Director of Development as well as during the Capital Campaign to build the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. 

She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Canadian Association of Gift Planners. Dawn Marie's volunteer experience includes the Board of Toronto Summer Music and the Victoria College Alumni Association. She has been a guest lecturer with the George Brown College Fundraising Program and the Schulich School of Business MBA program at York University. 

Kate Cornell

Professor

Kate (she/her) is a feminist, advocate, and writer. She has worked in the charitable sector as a policy wonk, strategic director, and project manager. With a PhD in Communications and Culture, Kate is also an enthusiastic lecturer, teacher, and mentor.

Kate is well known in the arts as the former Executive Director of the Canadian Dance Assembly and the Co-Chair of the Canadian Arts Coalition. In 2016, Kate won the Hobday Award in Arts Management. Most recently, Kate was the Interim Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at the umbrella organization of the charitable sector, Imagine Canada. 

Kate Cornell has taught at UTSC, TMU, and Humber College and is happy to join the faculty at Centennial.