Welcome to Specialist High Skills Major: Arts and Culture Site
The SHSM is a testament to the quality of education already taking place at Eastwood, as well as to the vibrant world-class arts and cultural scene in our community. At Eastwood we are proud to be able to offer students the option to completely customize their arts education. Building off of the tradition of the Integrated Arts Program established in 1987, with the addition of the Specialist High Skills Major: Arts & Culture in 2007, Eastwood arts has now expanded to offer two distinct, yet mutually beneficial areas of arts specialty.
The SHSM emphasizes hands on, practical learning experiences with a focus on the arts in the digital age. Any student currently attending ECI can apply to be part of the SHSM. The SHSM program runs in grades 11&12.
To learn more about the Integrated Arts Program, click here. To learn more about what the SHSM has to offer, continue to the program description.
Ministry Outline
To view the Ministry of Education’s website for the SHSM: arts & culture click here.
What is a SHSM?
A Specialist High Skills Major in Arts and Culture enables students to customize their high school experience to suit their interests and talents, to meet the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, and to prepare for a successful postsecondary transition to apprenticeship training, college, university or employment in the arts and culture sector. A SHSM enables students to gain sector-identified preparatory skills and knowledge, and to make informed career decisions.
SHSM at ECI video overview 2020-21
Overview
Students in the SHSM: Arts & Culture will complete the following:
1. Required Credits
– 4 Arts & Culture major credits
– 1 English credit (gr.11 or 12)
– 1 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
– 2 Co-Op credits
2. Sector recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs:
3 compulsory: Standard First Aid, CPR level C, and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). Workplace Health & Safety will be completed within the co-op course.
3 electives (refer to the ministry website for the full list):
Other certifications will be offered through field trips, workshops, and/or included within your art courses or run within the co-op course. Such as:
| Health & Safety | Photography: Portraiture |
| Film Editing | Lighting & Sound Basics |
| Choreography | Framing & Matting |
| Graphic Arts: Software | Improvisation (Music, Dance, Drama) |
| Sewing/Costume Design | Figure Drawing (Drawing From Life club) |
| Sound Recording | Lights & Sound Equipment Maintenance |
3. Engage in experiential learning through Co-Operative education, job shadowing, and work experience related to the area of major focus. Additional specialized opportunities available through field trips and guest speakers.
4. Reach Ahead Experiences through opportunities to explore the next chosen pathway. (such as a field trip to visit an approved apprenticeship delivery agent in the sector, a tour of a university or college in a sector-related program, an interview with an employee in the sector.
5. Participate in a Sector-Partnered Contextualized Experience “SPCE” (typically this is a full day field trip and has focused on Innovation, Creation & Entrepreneurship “ICE” )
Career Choices
Students can choose their 4 arts courses in any combination related to one or more of the following career options;
Performing Arts (Dance, Drama, Music)
Possible careers in this area include Actress, Actor, Comedian, Broadcaster, Dancer, Music/Art Therapist, Musician, Performer, Musical Theatre Performer, Composer, Entertainment Manager, Conductor, Choreographer, Recreation Therapist, Producer, Events coordinator.
Art & Design (Fine Arts & Media Arts)
Possible careers in this area include Digital Video Production, Media Arts, Creative Advertising, Illustrator, Architect, Interior Design, Animation, Web Design, Computer Graphic Design, Digital Animation, Film Critic, Writer, Photographer, Desktop Publisher, Sculptor, Public Relations, Printing Machine Operator, Script Writer, Journalist, Painter, Decorator, Film Processor, Audio/Video Production,Fashion Designer.
Event & Production Technologies
Possible careers in this area include Fashion Design, Audio/Video Production, Architecture, Publisher, Computer Graphics, Stage Technician, Sound Technician, Make-up Designer, Lighting and Sound Production, Set Design & Construction, Events Co-ordination, Events Production, Props Design.