Course Descriptions

This course will introduce students to the basic concepts and organizational systems required for Arts and Entertainment Management. Lectures will focus on marketing, resource development, volunteer and board management, tour management, organizational structures, artist management, financial management, and presenting and promoting performances.

A continuation of AEM 140.

Students will gain on the job experience in various management positions in the performing arts. Practical positions include Event Services Coordination, Audience Services and Project Management. All positions include different levels of administration, budgeting, financial management, organizational skills, event planning, report writing, artist relations, dealing with contracts, troubleshooting and team building.

A continuation of AEM 142.

This course teaches the applications for computers in Arts and Entertainment Management. Students will gain an understanding of word processing, desktop design, Internet, e-mail, spreadsheet and database programs. Students will be given hands-on experience in a computer laboratory setting. The emphasis will be on practical application in the workplace.

This course will introduce students to the systems used to manage festivals in the arts and entertainment sector. Students will learn the various components involved with festival management and learn how to plan and execute a festival within the context of community partnerships, risk management, and site/venue development.

This course will introduce students to record label management. Students will learn how to produce a CD from the creative concept and production stage through to the sales/marketing and retail stage.

This course will examine the various aspects of managing a venue. Students will learn box office and front of house operations, event services, maintenance, rental clients and human resources.

This course is the first of a pair of practicum courses. Students will gain on-the-job experience in various arts management positions. The experience will be determined by the organization that the student is placed with. Each student will be supervised by his/her immediate superior throughout the practicum. In order to foster a real working environment, students will be encouraged to work independently and be given objectives to accomplish during their practicum. A job description outlining duties and responsibilities will be issued.

This course is the second of a pair of practicum courses. Students will gain experience in their practicum through one or a combination of hands-on experiences, including a placement in an arts/entertainment organization, participating in professional development (PD) activities, or completing special projects. The experience will be determined by the goals of the student as well as the organization with which the student is placed. Each student will be supervised by the instructor and by the practicum host (if applicable) throughout the placement. A practicum description outlining duties and responsibilities will be issued. The second placement may occur at a different organization than the first.

Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of marketing, public relations, and promotion in relation to arts and entertainment management. Lectures will focus on how to apply strategic marketing principles to arts and entertainment management.

Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of financial management, including accounting, cash management, budgeting, box office management, forecasting and payroll, in relation to performing arts organizations. Lectures will focus on how to apply financial arts principles to the performing arts.

This course teaches the skills necessary to become an effective advocate for the arts. The students learn how to successfully complete grant applications and how to plan and execute a successful fundraising campaign.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how an arts and entertainment organization operates and how tours are planned and executed.

This course prepares students for building and maintaining a career in the arts and entertainment industry. Lectures and panel discussions will focus on transferring skills and knowledge from the academic environment to the practical work environment. Topics include self-assessment of employability skills, professional behaviour, resume writing, interview techniques, work search methods, goal setting and workplace skills.

Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of tour management in the performing arts. Lectures will focus on the process of tour organization and the resources available for booking tours.

This course is a 15-week practicum in which the student will assume a position working for a professional arts organization for 35 hours per week. These will generally be office hours with some evening and weekend work, depending on the position assigned. A job description outlining duties and responsibilities will be issued.

A 15-week practicum in which the student will assume a position working for a professional arts organization.

Students will develop an in‐depth understanding of how to apply various marketing strategies to engage arts and entertainment audiences. Students will create detailed marketing plans, including sponsorship agreements and public relation strategies to maximize the potential for news coverage in print, electronic (radio, TV) and online sources. Students will also evaluate various social media tools and tactics to achieve the most effective results.

Students will develop a thorough understanding of the concepts, principles and practices of profit and non‐profit management in arts and entertainment, including human resources, governance, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, leadership, professional behaviour, and Indigenizing the arts and entertainment workplace. Through this, students will also engage with strategies to support artistic vitality and institutional sustainability while reflecting values of equity, diversity and inclusion and managing the demands of numerous stakeholders within dynamic organizations and the broader community as they learn to become adaptable, agile leaders.

Students will gain a thorough understanding of financial management concepts for the arts and entertainment industry, including accounting, budgeting, cost‐benefit analysis, managing cash flow, forecasting, box office management, payroll, asset management and restriction, and trend analysis. This advanced course examines the financial issues that are critical to both commercial and non‐profit organizations in the industry, as well as budgets and finance for self‐employment and entrepreneurial ventures.

This course examines the critical role of resource development activities in performing arts and entertainment organizations. Students will develop the skills to construct and deliver effective funding proposals in traditional avenues such as grant writing, corporate sponsorship, and annual fund campaigns as well as social media and online fundraising operations.

Students will be introduced to the critical role of management in the development of an artist's career. Lectures will cover intellectual property management, contractual relationships, recording, touring, presentation, and marketing.

Students will learn the key concepts of organizing touring entertainment, focusing on the administrative and management responsibilities such as booking, budgeting, financing, routing, staffing, and decision making. Students will learn to generate contracts, riders, and stage plots as well as negotiate fees and working conditions for touring artists. Working with both music concert tours as well as performing arts tours, such as theatrical tours and ballet companies, students will be able to determine suitable venues to suit the needs of the production.

This course is the first of a pair of mixed mode courses. Students will examine various issues within the arts and entertainment industry. Throughout the term, students will share and reflect on their experience through online forums, journals and final seminars.

This course is the first of a pair of practicum courses. Students will apply arts and entertainment management knowledge, skills, theories and processes to a hands-on, relevant arts management position.

This course is the second of a pair of mixed mode courses. Students will continue to examine and discuss various issues in arts and entertainment in the context of wider society and its economic and political trends. Throughout the term, students will share and reflect on their experience through online forums, journals and final seminars.

This course is the second of a pair of practicum courses. Students will continue to apply arts and entertainment management knowledge, skills, theories and processes to a hands-on, relevant arts management position.

This capstone course guides students through individual projects carried out in cooperation with a faculty advisor. Based on knowledge and experience gained throughout the program, students will complete and present a graduation portfolio containing key elements of an event plan including, but not limited to, an event proposal, a budget, a marketing plan and a sponsorship proposal or grant application. Students will also write an article on an industry topic as assigned.