Course Description
This course provides students with knowledge of critical aspects of the Canadian infrastructure and the tools necessary to make informed choices in strategic career planning. The course includes a review of Canadian municipal, provincial and federal cultural infrastructures and funding bodies. Throughout, students explore the interaction between the individual performing artist and Canadian cultural institutions and learn how to network effectively and make professional connections. Knowledge and skills learned will include preparation of contracts, appropriate use of copyright law, interview techniques, publicity and marketing elements.
Course Content
- You Are The Product. Where is the market? What are you selling?
- How artists project their art and how to craft an image: visuals and text; the role of designers and publicists
- Negotiations
- Creative expression and commodity: choices and contradictions; organizational choices
- Public and private funds at every level
- The performing artist: revenue sources and other rewards
- Art and mechanical reproduction: recording, film and other cultural industries
- Copyright, contracts and cash: partnerships, publishing deals, co-writes and other challenges
- The management team: who is on it, what positions do they play? How to build one, “hungry samurai” and doing it yourself
- Showcases, festivals, conferences and other watering holes and making yourself visible
Means of Assessment
Typical Activities and Weighting (in %)
| Assignments: |
60% |
| Final Exam: |
30% |
| Participation: |
10% |
| Total: |
100% |
Written assignments are term papers surrounding career subjects and contracts:
- #1 - 15%
- #1a - 5%
- #2 - 20%
- #3 - 20%
This is a letter graded course. Passing grade is C.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify the intersection between their abilities and the Vancouver arts ecology in both the private and non-profit sectors;
- Develop the promotional materials needed to enter the market;
- Articulate their work and abilities to prospective employers;
- Negotiate the best possible income and working conditions through a knowledge of Equity, Socan, the AFM and other related organizations;
- Review the intent and present definition of copyright law, partnerships and other key issues of ownership of creative work;
- Understand and choose the appropriate organizational structure/model for their work;
- Identify the various sources or revenue available to specific practices and the contractual needs and implications of each;
- Map out a career plan that includes various personnel needs and competencies necessary to carry it out successfully.
Textbook Materials
Texts and resources used in previous and concurrent courses will be used as primary and secondary sources in this course.
Required - Human Resources Development Canada. The Art of Managing Your Career. Ottawa. Current Edition.