« Arts Education & Community Engagement (AECE) is new a two-semester graduate certificate program designed to launch students into careers in arts education and community arts. Students will learn how to integrate their individual artistic practice in the design of pedagogically sound arts educational programming that meets the needs of diverse communities.

Through courses taught by recognized experts in the field, students will learn about a variety of careers in arts education and community development through research, mentorship, and field placements. Graduates of this program will be equipped to manage a professional career in arts and learning, and to incorporate community-engaged arts work into their existing creative practice.

AECE students will:

• Learn to plan and implement arts education and community programming that responds to the needs of a group of learners, in multiple settings, and in collaboration with other artists or organizations.
• Students will apply best practices of community arts work and will be trained to facilitate arts-based social justice initiatives.
• Participate in a seven-week field placement with a partnering organization or artist in a supervised community or school environment.
• Attend classes close to downtown near the creative, cultural heart of Toronto at our Story Arts Centre campus and in the Performing Arts Commons at Daniels Spectrum.
• Collaborate with the other students in photography, film and television, music, art, theatre and dance programs at the Story Arts Centre

Artists with training in any creative disciplines are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have a degree or diploma in a related field or a substantial history of practice in arts education/community development.

For admissions criteria or to apply online visit http://bit.ly/AECECertificate

Questions? Please contact program coordinator Amber Ebert (aebert[at]my.centennial.college.ca) for more information!

« The field of education within the professional arts community has grown significantly within the last 5 – 10 years. While there have been various short-term training opportunities in community arts and arts education, those of us involved in this work have identified a significant gap in the training available to artists and arts practitioners. The Arts Education & Community Engagement program is the first, in my experience, to offer a comprehensive course of study addressing the full scope of pedagogy, best practices, ethics and innovation in the field.”
-Patty Jarvis, Arts Educator, Interim Associate Director, Education & Outreach, Canadian Opera Company

« Community-Engaged arts work is a key driver of activity for most arts organizations, who recognize that engaging communities and students lead to greater audience numbers and a deeper, shared appreciation of the arts. Work that brings people together in dialogue must be honoured and celebrated. This new program at Centennial supports both artists and the communities they serve, providing artists with the tools to expand their practice and make their day-to-day work more sustainable while bringing us all closer through creative expression. »
-Rob Kempson, Arts Educator, Playwright, Director »

-submitted by Centennial College