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Arts Administration and Cultural Management

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Program Code: 27551
Credential: Ontario Graduate Certificate
Start Dates: September
Program Length: 3 semesters

Program Overview

Humber’s Arts Administration and Cultural Management graduate certificate program is for those who wish to combine their passion for arts, culture and heritage with business acumen and management skills. This distinctive program promotes diverse, multidisciplinary performing and visual artistic expressions supported by organizational competence in revenue development (earned and contributed), management of human resources (artists, volunteers, companies), planning (financial, strategic, special events, career) and communications (multiplatform, digital, marketing).

The program is situated within the creative milieu of Humber’s renowned programs in theatre, writing, visual and digital arts, music, photography, animation, television, and film. Real-world experience is gained through varied field placements in commercial, government and not-for-profit arts and culture organizations, and collaborative capstone projects which demonstrate to employers the breadth of graduates’ abilities.

Courses Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

  1. Articulate the value of the arts through applied research into national and international arts, culture and heritage policies, current and historical.

  2. Plan, implement and manage revenue development activities to secure resources from charitable foundations, corporations, government and non-government sources, and donors, through special events, and via online platforms.

  3. Demonstrate understanding of the negotiation and administration of arts contracts and applicable human resources legislation, regulations and practices, including the recruitment and effective management of volunteers and boards of directors.

  4. Design and implement effective marketing, promotion, public relations, education and engagement strategies.

  5. Demonstrate, individually and in groups, a range of administrative skills pertaining to organizational structure, internal and external relations, facility management, and financial management.

  6. Demonstrate numeracy and planning skills related to fiscal management and control. 

  7. Communicate effectively in both written and spoken business communications.

  8. Demonstrate familiarity with computer applications used in arts, culture and heritage operations, including constituent relationship management, book-keeping, graphic design, spreadsheets, project management, and website creation and maintenance.

  9. Incorporate concepts of equity, pluralism, diversity and access into all facets of arts management practice.


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Work Placement

Students will gain practical, hands-on experience in the industry by completing two mandatory work placement experiences in the second and third semesters. After completing a work placement preparation course, students will be supported in marketing themselves to prospective employers in order to find work placements that align with their personal career goals.

Media & Creative Arts Students Vote for the Future

Students from more than eight Media & Creative Arts programs worked with Villamedia to test the company's AI-driven generative art project, Vote for Peace, and to learn how the technology may be used in the future.

Humber College partnered with WorkInCulture to present the 1st annual Creative Works Conference.

The Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE) logo

Expert Faculty

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Anne Frost

Anne began her arts management career in the 1980s at Keyano Theatre, Fort McMurray, Alberta. Moving to Toronto, she worked at the Toronto Theatre Alliance on the 3rd Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, then at Jeunesses musicales du Canada as Ontario Executive Director. After a Master’s degree in Arts Policy and Management from the City University, London, UK (1987-88) Anne returned to Canada and worked at Harbourfront as Co-ordinator for the Festival of Authors; then as General Manager at Theatre Direct Canada and Mixed Company Theatre. She also taught in the Humber College post-graduate Arts Administration – Cultural Management program, starting in 2000.

In 2002 Anne moved to Owen Sound and worked on revenue development at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, then at the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, a major facility on the Lake Huron shore. In 2003 Anne began to teach in the undergraduate arts management program at University of Toronto, Scarborough. In 2008-9, Anne co-ordinated the Humber program in which she had been teaching. During the five-year suspension of the Humber program, from 2011 to 2013, Anne taught post-graduates in the Culture and Heritage Site Management program at Centennial College as well as teaching job development skills to post-secondary learners in a technical theatre program at Sheridan College. Anne joined Young Associates, offering financial and business services to the cultural sector, in 2013 as a senior consultant, working primarily in revenue development and business planning. Anne resumed the coordinator’s role for the Humber post-graduate arts management program as of 2014, and maintains her consulting practice at Young Associates alongside this full-time faculty position, stewarding her robust and long-standing professional links into the sector alongside her academic role.

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Heather Young

Heather Clara Young, CPB (Principal, Young Associates), has worked in the field of arts management for over thirty years and as a bookkeeper for most of that time. Her experience includes leadership roles with arts and heritage service organizations, theatre and dance producing companies, facilities, festivals and community organizations. Young Associates, founded in 1993, provides full-service bookkeeping as well as financial planning, strategic planning, HR and data management services to not-for-profits and charities, with a special focus on the arts and culture sector. Heather teaches accounting and financial management in Humber College’s Arts Management program, and has taught for Humber’s Fundraising and Volunteer Management program and University of Toronto’s Arts Management program. She was the 2012 recipient of the Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in Arts and Culture, and a 2004 recipient of Humber College’s Continuing Education Award of Excellence for Outstanding Academic Contribution. Finance for the Arts in Canada (2005, 2021) is a unique self-study guide, reference source and textbook for the accounting and finance functions in cultural organizations.

Your Career

Our graduates have attained a variety of arts administration and cultural management positions such as marketing and development officer/manager, education and engagement co-ordinator, membership and volunteer manager, programming assistant, public programs co-ordinator, patron services co-ordinator, drama school co-ordinator, and finance and operations assistant.

Program Availability

Start dates between Sept 2023 - Aug 2024
START DATE LOCATION STATUS
September 2023 Lakeshore Open
Start dates between Sept 2023 - Aug 2024
START DATE LOCATION STATUS
September 2023 Lakeshore Open

Humber Arts Administration Students Connect with Industry

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Watch the video to hear from Arts Administration and Cultural Management students about what they learned during this industry networking event.


Humber Students Benefit from Five Centres of Innovation (COIs)

The Humber Centres of Innovation Network demonstrates our strong commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for students. Students and faculty work with industry partners on real-world challenges to prepare them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five COIs.

About the COIs  

News Feed

Senior Dean Update: Media & Creative Arts Anti-Racism Action Plan

Senior Dean Update: Media & Creative Arts Anti-Racism Action Plan

Fri, October 15, 2021

In June 2020, I committed the FMCA to seven action items to address the attitudes, behaviours and structures that act as barriers for students from Indigenous and equity-deserving communities.

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Update: Humber Music Solidarity One Year On

Update: Humber Music Solidarity One Year On

Fri, October 15, 2021

In June 2020, Humber Music faculty pledged to address systemic racism and gender discrimination in the music programs by working with students, alumni, administrators, and industry experts

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No news at this time.

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On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.

Contact Us

Admissions Questions

General Enquiries

Call 416-675-3111 or email enquiry@humber.ca. If you have already applied, be sure to check your application status on myhumber.ca.

Domestic Applicants Enquiries

Domestic applicants can book a one-on-one advising appointment with an admissions representative.

International Applicants Enquiries

Contact the International Centre for information about full-time programs (including the International Graduate School), how to apply and to follow up on your submitted application.

Program-Specific Questions

Speak to the Program Co-ordinator about the course curriculum, projects and career options.

Anne Frost, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 3446
anne.frost@humber.ca

Campus Information

Book a campus tour to take a closer look at what it's like to be a student at Humber.

Want More Info?

Find out more about the student experience and everything that Humber has to offer Future Students.

for more info on Humber, including programs, special events and more!

How To Become An Apprentice

Becoming an Apprentice

Find an employer willing to sponsor you as an apprentice.

Contact the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to register as an apprentice.

Work with your employer approximately one year before attending Humber.

View Instructions 

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

If you’re in high school – grade 11 or 12 – you can earn co-op education credits through work placements in some skilled trades.

Visit OYAP 

How to Apply

Domestic Students

Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program.

To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber’s program pages, search by availability, or ontariocolleges.ca.

To see where you are in the admissions process, visit the Admissions Road Map.

International Students

If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.

Need Advice?

Program Advising Appointments

Get help narrowing down your program options or book a one-on-one pre-enrolment advising appointment with one of our Recruitment Officers.

Transfer & Pathway Advising

Book a virtual appointment with a Student Mobility Advisor learn more about getting Transfer Credit(s) for previous post-secondary experience, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), and Pathways options.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet all the requirements below in order to meet minimum program eligibility. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission. Admission decisions will be available via MyHumber, or by email and mail. Admission decisions will not be released by phone.

Admission selection is based on the following four requirements:

  • Academic

    To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:

    • A bachelor’s degree, advanced diploma or diploma, preferably in arts, humanities, fine arts or performing arts

    Mature Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.

    College Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

    University Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

  • Online Information Session, Resume and Cover Letter

  • Applicants will attend an online information session, prior to which they must submit a detailed resume and a cover letter. 

    The cover letter should outline their areas of interest, career goals and expectations of the program. A faculty member will review the submission and then contact the applicant about thier online (via Skype) information session. 

    Submission Instructions

  • English Language Proficiency

    All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

  • International Credit Evaluation

    Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a credential evaluation. Note, for international High school education course by course evaluations, ICAS must be used. For international post-secondary education, a WES evaluation must be provided. In situations where you expect to apply for transfer credit, it is recommended that a course by course WES evaluation is completed.

International Academic Equivalency

Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please enter your location or choose detect my location to see the requirements for your country below.

Post-Admission Requirements

Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).

Personal Computer Access

Students are required to have access to a personal computer.

Equipment & Device Requirements

Details and Specifications Minimum Specs
Processor Each student requires a current PC or Mac
Other Online access to cloud-based software (eg. Quickbooks Online). Info provided by Professors

Program-Specific Questions

Speak to the Program Co-ordinator about the course curriculum, projects and career options.

Anne Frost, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 3446
anne.frost@humber.ca

Fees & Financial Aid

The 2022-2023 fee for three semesters was:

  • domestic: $5,411.22
  • international: $18,058.00

Fees are subject to change.

Fees by Semester

Domestic Fees International Fees

Financial Aid, Scholarships and Bursaries

Understand the costs associated with coming to Humber and explore resources available from first year to your final year on Student Fees and Financial Resources.

Scholarships

Humber Scholarships

Find out more about scholarships and bursaries that you may be eligible for, visit Student Scholarships. International students can visit International Student Scholarships.

Humber Bursaries

Bursaries are available for Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs primarily based on financial need, visit Humber Bursaries.

External Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Find out more information about external scholarships and bursaries, visit External Awards.

Indigenous Student Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Humber offers a variety of bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students, visit Indigenous Student Awards.

Explore Opportunities through Humber Pathways

Humber Pathways include:

  • Opportunities to build on your college education and complete your diploma or degree at Humber.
  • Degree and graduate study opportunities at other institutions in Ontario, Canada and abroad.
View Pathways Into This Program  
View Transfer Out Opportunities From This Program  
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