Arts Management


Faculty List

  • S.L. Helwig, B.A. (Guelph), M.A. (Toronto), Associate Professor, Teaching Stream
  • M.E. Luka, B.F.A., (NSCAD), Ph.D. (Concordia), Assistant Professor


ACM Program Manager: M. Hussain, Email: manaal.hussain@utoronto.ca

Arts Management is designed for students with an interest in the creative practice and the business of the arts. It provides students with a solid grounding in the knowledge and skills necessary for fulfilling professional careers in producing, presenting and exhibiting organizations (theatres, opera companies, orchestras, dance companies, galleries, museums), arts councils, arts service organizations, government, and also for graduate studies in disciplines such as Arts Management, Cultural and Public Policy, Arts Education, and Museum or Curatorial Studies.

Students can choose either the Specialist Program in Arts Management* or the Major Program in Arts and Media Management. Students should consult with their ACM Program Manager to ensure proper course/program planning.

*Note: the Specialist (Co-op) Program in Arts Management is suspended to new enrolments. Students who are already enrolled in the Program should consult the 2012-13 Calendar.

Specialist Program in Arts Management Course Selection Table:

Year of Study

Fall-Winter

First Year

VPAA10H3
VPAA12H3
MGTA01H3
MGTA02H3
ACMB01H3 (if intending this to be counted towards the 6.0 credits in Arts)
A-level courses in the Art discipline you are intending to collect 6.0 credit from (refer to program requirement 3)

Second Year

ACMB10H3
VPAB13H3
VPAB16H3
VPAB17H3
B-level courses in the Art discipline you are intending to collect 6.0 credit from (refer to program requirement 3)

Third Year

VPAC13H3
VPAC15H3*
VPAC16H3*
[VPAC17H3* or VPAC18H3*]
[VPAC21H3* or *VPAC22H3*]
ACMC01H3 (if in the Field placement stream) 
Management C-level course (ACM Program Manager will discuss options with you and add the course manually; you may choose to take this course in the fourth year as well)
C-level courses in the Art discipline you are intending to collect 6.0 credit from (refer to program requirement 3)

*Please connect with the ACM Program Manager as some of the Arts Management courses are offered in alternate years.

Fourth Year

VPAD12H3
ACMD01H3 (if in the Field placement stream)
VPAD-level or D-level courses in the Art discipline you are intending to collect 6.0 credit from (refer to program requirement 3)

Program Combination Restrictions in Arts Management
The Specialist in Arts Management and Major in Arts and Media Management cannot be combined.

Experiential Learning and Outreach
For a community-based experiential learning opportunity in your academic field of interest, consider the course CTLB03H3, which can be found in the Teaching and Learning section of the Calendar.

arts management Programs

SPECIALIST PROGRAM IN ARTS MANAGEMENT (ARTS)

ACM Program Manager: acm-pa@utsc.utoronto.ca

While a majority of the academic work in the program is based on the not-for-profit arts model, the skills that UTSC’s arts management students develop are transferable skills: critical thinking, organizational development, marketing, fundraising, public relations and public policy can be applied to many fields, and graduates may eventually opt to work in for-profit cultural industries such as commercial music, film and television, or even non-arts sectors that require similar abilities. For further information, please visit the Arts Management website.


The Standard Stream of the program is designed to give students a broad and deep understanding of Arts Management at the undergraduate level through academic courses but without full-field placements. This stream is well suited to students who have past or alternate practical experience in arts management.

The Field Placement Stream of the program is designed to enhance the students’ understanding of Arts Management through substantial exposure to its practice in a minimum of two 300-hour not-for-credit placements.

Enrolment Requirements
Enrolment in the program is limited and entry is competitive. Admissions are granted on the basis of applicants' academic performance, background in one or more of the arts, and demonstrated interest and potential ability in Arts Management as discerned through an interview. For the Standard Stream, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, both overall and in Arts Management-specific courses. For the Field Placement Stream, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, both overall and in Arts Management-specific courses.

Program Requirements
This program requires the completion of a total of 15.0 credits. Students complete a core of 6.0 credits in Arts Management courses, 1.5 credits in Management courses, 6.0 credits in one or more arts discipline(s), and 1.5 credits specific to either the Standard Stream or the Field Placement Stream.

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA), both overall and in Arts Management-specific courses: 2.5 for the Standard Stream and 3.0 for the Field Placement Stream. Continuous consultation with the Program Director is strongly encouraged for all students in each year of their program.


Core (13.5 credits)

1. Arts Management Courses (6.0 credits)
ACMB10H3 Equity and Diversity in the Arts
VPAA10H3 Introduction to Arts and Media Management
VPAA12H3 Developing Audiences, Resources, and Community
VPAB13H3 Financial Management for Arts Managers
VPAB16H3 Managing and Leading in Cultural Organizations
VPAB17H3 From Principles to Practices in Arts Management
VPAC13H3 Planning and Project Management in the Arts and Cultural Sector
VPAC15H3 Cultural Policy
VPAC16H3 Contracts and Copyright
VPAC17H3 Marketing in the Arts and Media
VPAC18H3 Raising Funds in Arts and Media
VPAD12H3 Senior Seminar in Arts and Media Management

2. Management Courses (1.5 credits)
MGTA01H3 Introduction to Business
MGTA02H3 Managing the Business Organization
0.5 credit from Management or Economics at the C- or D-level (unless an alternative is formally approved in advance by the Arts Management Program Director)

Note: Arts Management students have access to the following Management courses via ROSI: MGHC23H3, MGMC30H3, MGTC33H3, MGTC44H3 and MGTD45H3. Arts Management students interested in other Management courses must approach the Arts Management Program Director early in the enrolment period to discuss suitability and to request access. Appropriate prerequisite knowledge is required for all Management courses.

3. Arts Courses (6.0 credits)
[6.0 credits from within the Major program in one of the artistic disciplines offered by the Department of Arts, Culture and Media (Art History, Music and Culture, Studio Art, and Theatre & Performance Studies). At least 1.0 credit of these must be at the C- or D-level.] OR [With the prior written approval of the Arts Management Program Director, students may tailor a coherent group of courses to accommodate their special interests and particular career goals. At least 1.0 credit must be at the C- or D-level.]

Note: Because the completion of a Major program in a chosen artistic field is particularly valuable for students contemplating graduate studies and certain careers related to that subject, students may wish to add the Major Subject POSt and take additional Arts courses to fulfil the Major requirement. Alternatively, one or more Minor program(s) may be valuable in certain fields of work and further studies.


A. Standard Stream
In addition to the Core requirements above, students must complete 1.5 credits from the following:

4. (1.5 credits)
Choose from the following:
VPAB18H3 Becoming a Producer
VPAC21H3 Special Topics in Arts Management I
VPAC22H3 Special Topics in Arts Management II
VPAD07H3 Agency and Pluralism in Social & Cultural Transformations
VPAD14H3 Independent Studies in Arts Management

Note: one of the D-level choices is required if a D-level course is not taken as a part of component 2 (Management Courses) or component 3 (Arts Courses).


B. Field Placement Stream

4. Work Term Placements
In addition to the Core requirements above, students must complete a minimum of two 300-hour not-for-credit work term placements:
Field Placement I
Field Placement II

5. (1.5 credits)
ACMC01H3 ACMEE Applied Practice I (to be taken concurrently with, or after, Field Placement I)
ACMD01H3 ACMEE Applied Practice II (to be taken concurrently with, or after Field Placement II)
and
0.5 credit from the following:
ACMD02H3 ACMEE Applied Practice III (to be taken in connection with an optional “Field Placement III”)
VPAB18H3 Becoming a Producer
VPAC21H3 Special Topics in Arts Management I
VPAC22H3 Special Topics in Arts Management II
VPAD07H3 Agency and Pluralism in Social & Cultural Transformations
VPAD14H3 Independent Studies in Arts Management

Courses in the first two years of the program
The first year of study would normally consist of 5.0 credits (10 courses - five in each of the Fall and Winter semesters) including VPAA10H3, VPAA12H3, MGTA01H3, MGTA02H3, at least three courses from the “Arts Courses” section of the program requirements, and electives. ACMB01H3 can be taken as one of the "Arts Courses" in the Winter semester of the first year, or during the second year. The second year of study would normally consist of 5.0 full credits (10 courses) including VPAB13H3, VPAB16H3 and VPAB17H3, ACMB01H3 (if not already taken, B-level courses from the “Arts Courses” program requirement, and electives. Arts Management students are encouraged to consider ACMB02H3 as one of their elective choices.

MAJOR PROGRAM IN ARTS AND MEDIA MANAGEMENT (ARTS)

The Major program offers students an opportunity to acquire a strong foundation in, and understanding of, the theories and practices associated with the management of creative arts and media enterprises. The program exposes students to the scholarship and skills of this multidisciplinary field through a broad range of courses that bring together creative endeavours and business. While the program can be paired with any other Major at UTSC, it is especially intended to be combined with other programs in the Department of Arts, Culture and Media, including: Art History and Visual Culture; Studio Art; Music and Culture; Theatre and Performance; Media Studies; New Media Studies; or Media, Journalism and Digital Cultures.

This Major is for students seeking opportunities and understanding about the always-evolving arts and media environment, where traditional leadership roles are both crucial and constantly challenged, and where community engagement, creative practice, entrepreneurship and leadership are not limited to the private sector but also reach deeply into the non-profit and public sectors.

Program Requirements

This program requires students to complete a total of 8.0 credits as follows:

1. 2.0 credits:
VPAA10H3 Introduction to Arts and Media Management
VPAA12H3 Developing Audiences, Resources, and Community
ACMB01H3 Critical Reading, Thinking and Writing for ACM Programs
ACMB10H3 Equity and Diversity in the Arts

2. 3.0 credits:
VPAB13H3 Financial Management for Arts Managers
VPAB16H3 Managing and Leading in Cultural Organizations
VPAC13H3 Planning and Project Management in the Arts and Cultural Sector
VPAC16H3 Contracts and Copyrights
VPAC17H3 Marketing in the Arts and Media
VPAC18H3 Raising Funds in Arts and Media

3. 0.5 credit:
VPAD12H3 Senior Seminar in Arts and Media Management

4. 2.5 additional credits in Arts Management (VPA courses). Students may substitute up to 1.0 credit in any courses from the Department of Arts, Culture and Media at the B-, C-, or D-level, for which they hold the pre-requisites; students are encouraged to select Media Studies or Journalism courses.

Arts Management Courses

VPAA10H3 - Introduction to Arts and Media Management

An introduction to the theories and practices of arts and media management within the not-for-profit, public and social enterprise sectors. It is a general survey course that will introduce the broad context of arts and media management in Canadian society and provide an overview of the creative and administrative issues currently faced by the arts and media community.

Breadth Requirements: Arts, Literature and Language

VPAA12H3 - Developing Audience, Resources, and Community

An introduction to the work involved in building and sustaining relationships with audiences, funders, and community, and the vital connections between marketing, development, and community engagement in arts and media organizations.

Prerequisite: VPAA10H3
Exclusion: (VPAB12H3), (VPAB14H3)
Breadth Requirements: Arts, Literature and Language

VPAB13H3 - Financial Management for Arts Managers

An introduction to financial management issues faced by arts and cultural managers.
The topics include an introduction to basic accounting concepts, financial statement preparation and analysis, internal control and management information systems, budgeting and programming, cash and resource management, and various tax-related issues.

Prerequisite: VPAA10H3
Exclusion: MGTB03H3
Recommended Preparation: VPAA12H3 or [(VPAB12H3) and (VPAB14H3)]
Breadth Requirements: Quantitative Reasoning

VPAB16H3 - Managing and Leading in Cultural Organizations

An introduction to the theories and practice of leadership, employee and volunteer management, and organizational behaviour as they apply to the not-for-profit arts sector.

Prerequisite: VPAA10H3 and VPAA12H3
Breadth Requirements: Arts, Literature and Language
Note: VPAA12H3 may be taken as a co-requisite with the express permission of the instructor.

VPAB17H3 - From Principles to Practices in Arts Management

An introduction to the real-world application of knowledge and skills in arts and arts-related organizations. This course allows students to build on foundational studies and develop discipline-specific knowledge and skills through experiential methods (including a short-term field placement) and objective study.

Prerequisite: VPAA12H3 and VPAB16H3
Enrolment Limits: 25; Restricted to students in the Specialist in Arts Management.
Breadth Requirements: Arts, Literature and Language
Note: Both VPAA12H3 and VPAB16H3 can be taken as co-requisites with the permission of the instructor.

VPAB18H3 - Becoming a Producer

This course introduces students to the producing functions in the arts and media management. The course will cover the genesis of creative and managing producers in the media and hybrid or emergent creative environments, exploring the basis of being a producer for media programs and companies (e.g., internet, television, radio and some music industry and social media environments), for arts and media creative hubs, and for primarily non-profit performing arts sites in Canada (e.g., presenting producers for multi-disciplinary arts venues that host touring companies).

Prerequisite: VPAA10H3 and VPAA12H3
Breadth Requirements: Arts, Literature and Language

VPAC13H3 - Planning and Project Management in the Arts and Cultural Sector

This course provides a broad foundation of project management and planning knowledge and skills. Topics such as project and special event management (including tours, festivals, etc.), and strategic and business planning (including entrepreneurship) will be discussed in the context of organizational processes.

Prerequisite: 8.0 credits including VPAB13H3, VPAB16H3 and ACMB01H3
Breadth Requirements: Arts, Literature and Language

VPAC15H3 - Cultural Policy

A survey of the principles, structures, and patterns of cultural policy and how these impact arts and media funding structures, both nationally and internationally. The course will explore a wide range of cultural policy issues, processes, and theoretical commitments underpinning the subsidized arts, commercial and public media industries, and hybrid cultural enterprises critically exploring the role of advocacy and the strengths and weaknesses of particular policy approaches.
Prerequisite: [8.0 credits, including VPAA10H3 and VPAA12H3 and ACMB01H3] or [8.0 credits, including: SOCB58H3 and registration in the Minor Program in Culture, Creativity, and Cities]
Breadth Requirements: Arts, Literature and Language

VPAC16H3 - Contracts and Copyright

A study of essential legal and practical issues relevant to the arts and media workplace, with a particular focus on contracts, contract negotiation, and copyright.

Prerequisite: 8.0 credits including VPAA10H3 and VPAA12H3 and VPAB16H3 and ACMB01H3
Enrolment Limits: 30
Breadth Requirements: Arts, Literature and Language

VPAC17H3 - Marketing in the Arts and Media

An advanced study of marketing within the arts and media sectors. This course facilitates a sophisticated understanding of the knowledge and skills required for arts and media managers to be responsive to varied market groups and changing market environments and successfully bring creative and cultural production and audiences together.

Prerequisite: VPAA10H3 and VPAA12H3 and ACMB01H3
Breadth Requirements: Arts, Literature and Language

VPAC18H3 - Raising Funds in Arts and Media

An advanced study of fundraising and resource development within the arts and media sector. This course facilitates a sophisticated understanding of the arts and media landscape, as well as knowledge and skills required for arts and media managers to develop and increase varied revenue streams, including arts and entrepreneurial granting systems, media funding and contributed revenue to support artistic mission of cultural organizations.

Prerequisite: VPAA12H3 and VPAB13H3 and VPAB16H3 and ACMB01H3
Breadth Requirements: Arts, Literature and Language

VPAC21H3 - Special Topics in Arts Management I

Special topics for intensive practical, theoretical and/or experiential study of some specific aspects of Arts Management. The topic(s) to be explored in this course will change from session to session.

Prerequisite: 10.0 credits, including VPAA10H3, VPAA12H3, VPAB16H3, and ACMB01H3
Exclusion: (VPAD13H3)
Enrolment Limits: 25
Breadth Requirements: Arts, Literature and Language

VPAC22H3 - Special Topics in Arts Management II

Special topics for intensive practical, theoretical and/or experiential study of some specific aspects of Arts Management. The topic(s) to be explored in this course will change from session to session.

Prerequisite: 10.0 credits, including VPAA10H3, VPAA12H3, VPAB16H3, and ACMB01H3
Enrolment Limits: 25
Breadth Requirements: Arts, Literature and Language

VPAD07H3 - Agency and Pluralism in Social and Cultural Transformations

Transformations in social and cultural institutions have been achieved through the agency of individuals who have embedded the values of pluralism in their personal and professional lives. Students will explore model examples and will develop projects they might use to advance this aim in a variety of professional situations.

Prerequisite: (VPAB06H3) or ACMB10H3
Breadth Requirements: Social and Behavioural Sciences

VPAD12H3 - Senior Seminar in Arts and Media Management

A capstone course providing the opportunity for students to reflect on and synthesize the knowledge and skills gained in previous courses and related experiences.

Prerequisite: At least 16.0 full credits including VPAC13H3.
Exclusion: Restricted to students in the Specialist program in Arts Management
Note: This course should be taken in the final year of study; advance permission of the instructor is required for any other timing.

VPAD14H3 - Independent Studies in Arts Management

A directed research and/or project-oriented course for students who have demonstrated a high level of academic maturity and competence. Qualified students will have the opportunity to investigate an area of interest to both student and the Director in traditional or emerging subjects related to the field of Arts Management.

Prerequisite: At least 1.0 credit at the C-level in Arts Management courses. Written consent and approval of a formal proposal in the approved format must be obtained from the supervising instructor and Program Director by the last date of classes in the previous academic session.
Exclusion: MGTD80H3
Enrolment Limits: 6

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