Arts & Culture
SHSM Policy And Implementation Guide - Arts and Culture
The SHSM – Arts and Culture enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Where local circumstances allow, boards may elect to offer one or more variants of the SHSM in a given sector, each with a particular area of focus. This SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on dance, dramatic arts management or technical production. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.
Required Certifications for the SHSM – Arts and Culture
Required Courses for the SHSM – Arts and Culture
A bundle of eight Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits
These credits make up the bundle:
four arts and culture major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and skills. The four courses can be any combination of Grade 11 or 12 credits (including all four credits in Grade 11 or all four credits in Grade 12). This may include up to three cooperative education credits related to the sector to count as the major credits (in addition to the two required cooperative education credits in the bundle).
two other required credits from the Ontario curriculum. Schools may commit to including a contextualized learning activity (CLA) for the arts and culture sector in each of the two credits. In each credit, some of the course expectations are then met through the CLA. (Schools that do not formally commit to including CLAs are still free to offer them in one or more of the credits.) The two credits include:
one in English;1
one in business studies or Canadian and world studies (or a cooperative education credit related to the sector, which would be additional to the two cooperative education credits required in the bundle; see below); *note: allow an additional major credit to replace the business studies credit or the Canadian and world studies credit, see below;
two cooperative education credits that provide authentic learning experiences in a workplace setting, enabling students to refine, extend, apply, and practise knowledge and skills outlined in the cooperative education curriculum as well as sector-specific knowledge and skills.
Required Experiential Learning and Career Exploration for the SHSM – Arts and Culture
Experiential learning and career exploration opportunities relevant to the sector might include the following:
one-on-one observation of a cooperative education student at a placement in the arts and culture sector (an example of job twinning)
a day-long observation of an artist (an example of job shadowing)
a one- or two-week work experience with a member of an industry association or a professional in the sector (an example of work experience)
participation in a local, provincial, or national competition focused on one of the arts
attendance at a sector trade show, conference, symposium, or job fair
a tour of a local theatre, museum, studio, or art gallery
Required Reach Ahead Experiences for the SHSM – Arts and Culture
Students are provided one or more reach ahead experiences – opportunities to take the next steps along their chosen pathway – as shown in the following examples:
Apprenticeship: visiting an approved apprenticeship delivery agent in the sector
College: interviewing a college student enrolled in a sector-specific program
University: observing a university class in a sector-related program
Workplace: interviewing an employee in the sector
Required Sector-Partnered Experiences for the SHSM – Arts and Culture
All students pursuing an SHSM must complete at least one sector-partnered experience (SPE). SPEs are learning experiences tied to a student's chosen SHSM sector, developed and delivered by sector partners in tandem with teachers. All SPEs focus on one of the following:
innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship (ICE)
coding
mathematical literacy
The concepts of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship (ICE) are inextricably linked. Innovation is the generation and realization of a new idea in the world; this means that innovation contains within it elements of both creativity and entrepreneurship. Creativity comes into play in the generation of ideas to meet a need in the world, based on a fundamental belief that there is more than one right answer to a given problem. Entrepreneurship is the set of activities aimed at building, scaling and sustaining the new ideas into an organization, whether extending an existing organization or creating a new one.
ICE, coding (computer programming), and mathematical literacy are all areas of knowledge that are key to a wide variety of 21st century careers. An SPE is designed to support students in cultivating the mindset that is needed for success in any of these areas of focus – a mindset that includes proposing ideas and solutions, taking smart risks in a safe environment, studying the results, and applying critical thinking.
Future Career Paths
According to the Canada Council for the Arts, arts and culture are essential elements in the new global economy; not only for their entertainment value but also for the skills they develop as individuals. An arts education challenges people to think critically and to solve problems creatively – skills that are now in high demand.
Graduates with an SHSM in Arts and Culture will not only finish with an enhanced resume of experiences but they will also be prepared for careers or post-secondary studies in a variety of arts-focused areas. A small sample of careers in this field includes:
Painter/Decorator
Fashion Designer/Patternmaker
Theatre Technician
Broadcast Technician
Interior Designer
Author/Writer
Dancer/Actor/Musician/Singer
Curator
Graphic Artist/Photographer
Teacher
Theatre Set Designer
Artisan/Craftsperson
Connections to the Community
Creative Destinations responds to a high level of student interest in the Arts and Culture sector and a wide range of in-school and community-based opportunities to identify and develop God-given gifts. St. Elizabeth has established relationships with many local leaders in the arts community – both individuals and organizations – and has an association with some of the GTA’s most prominent and diverse leaders in the arts including:
Our partners will host students for numerous events and will also connect St. Elizabeth with local organizations that support arts education. Up to 40 students will take part in a two credit summer co-op experience with one of these partners where they will have an opportunity to explore various careers in the field of arts and culture. Over the course of six weeks, students will:
Take part in “Counsellor-in-Training” workshops
Accumulate 220 hours of hands-on experience
Earn two Cooperative Education credits
Earn six industry-recognized certifications and training
Make industry connections
Dual Credits
Arts and Culture SHSM students are automatically eligible to enrol in dual high school/college credit courses during their co-op placements. These courses are taught on a college campus. Choosing this option will reap several benefits:
Arts-related dual credits are considered a grade 12 SHSM major
Taking a dual credit at a college campus is also considered a reach ahead activity
Students earn a free post-secondary credit and a high school credit before graduating from high school and gain access to all campus resources for the entire semester
The courses offered may vary. Find updated Dual Credit information at WWW.YCDSB.CA