Arts Managers

Description

Are you interested in the arts and think you have the potential to be a leader? Are you a long-term, "big picture" thinker? Then think about a career as a manager in the publishing, film, or multimedia industries, or in broadcasting or the performing arts. Maybe one day you'll dream up a fabulous new video game, and hire a staff of writers, animators, techies, accountants, marketing, and salespeople to make it happen.

Managers in this unit group plan, organize, direct, control, and evaluate operations within publishing firms, film, theatre, and record production companies and broadcasting facilities. Their title might be something like producer, director, or project manager. Managers usually have their own area of expertise, such as writing, but they also need to be able to hire and manage those people with expertise in other areas, such as marketing or computer programming.

Specific duties

Managers in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:

• establish procedures and implement policies in newspaper and publishing firms, in film, theatre, record and video production companies, and in radio and television stations
  
• plan and maintain production schedules for publications, films, broadcasts, and theatre, record and video productions
  
• prepare and control budgets
  
• hire and supervise staff
  
• consult with government regulatory agencies to evaluate and review programs and policies to ensure conformance to regulations
  
• initiate or approve development of articles, books, films, broadcasts, musical recordings and theatre productions, and liaise with authors, composers, producers and directors.
  

Related careers

You might be also be interested in these careers that have similar educational and/or training requirements, or that share similar duties.

• Actors & Comedians
• Announcers & Other Broadcasters
• Audio & Video Recording Technicians
• Broadcast Technicians
• Broadcasting & Trade: Senior Managers
• Producers, Directors & Choreographers
• Proofreaders, Clerks & Editorial Assistants
• Publishers
• Support Workers in the Arts
• Telecommunications Carriers Managers
• Writers & Authors

High school path

A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for your own career path.

Recommended Courses
Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
English
ENG1D English, Grade 9, Academic or ENG1P English, Grade 9, Applied	ENG2D English, Grade 10, Academic or ENG2P English, Grade 10, Applied	EMS3O Media Studies, Grade 11, Open or ENG3C English, Grade 11, College Preparation or ENG3U English, Grade 11, University Preparation or EPS3O Presentation and Speaking Skills, Grade 11, Open	ENG4C English, Grade 12, College Preparation or ENG4U English, Grade 12, University Preparation or EWC4C The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, College Preparation or EWC4U The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation
Math
MFM1P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied or MPM1D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic	MFM2P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied or MPM2D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic	MBF3C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 11, College Preparation or MCF3M Functions and Applications, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or MCR3U Functions, Grade 11, University Preparation	MAP4C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 12, College Preparation or MCT4C Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or MDM4U Mathematics of Data Management, Grade 12, University Preparation
Science
SNC1D Science, Grade 9, Academic or SNC1P Science, Grade 9, Applied	SNC2D Science, Grade 10, Academic or SNC2P Science, Grade 10, Applied	SNC3M Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation	SNC4M Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
Optional
BBI1O, BBI2O Introduction to Business, Gr. 9 or 10, Open or BTT1O, BTT2O Information and Communication Technology in Business, Grade 9 or 10, Open	ADA2O Dramatic Arts, Grade 10, Open or AMU2O Music, Grade 10, Open or ASM2O Media Arts, Grade 10, Open or AVI2O Visual Arts, Grade 10, Open	AMU3M Music, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or AMU3O Music, Grade 11, Open or ASM3O Media Arts, Grade 11, Open or ATC3M Dance, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or AVI3M Visual Arts, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or AVI3O Visual Arts, Grade 11, Open or BTA3O Information and Communication Technology: The Digital Environment, Grade 11, Open	ADA4M Dramatic Arts, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or ADA4O Dramatic Arts, Grade 12, Open or AEA4O Exploring the Arts, Grade 12, Open or ASM4O Media Arts, Grade 12, Open or AVI4M Visual Arts, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or BTX4C Information and Communication Technology: Multimedia Solutions, Grade 12, College Preparation

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

* students should consult their counsellors as to appropriate science courses in Grades 11 and 12 for university and college admission

* students should consult their school/board course guides for music courses offered

* students should consider options from Social Sciences, The Arts, History etc.

* students should consult their counsellors as to appropriate maths in Grades 11 and 12 for university and college admission

Post-secondary options

• A university degree or college diploma in communications, broadcasting, journalism, or other arts discipline is usually required.
  
• Several years of experience within the publishing, film production, broadcasting, or theatre industry are usually required.
  
  
  

There may be several different paths to a career. Post-secondary education or training programs will help, but they are not a guarantee. You should research your options carefully before deciding on any program of study. Click here for a comparison chart of institutions or accreditations.

The following programs offered at Ontario post-secondary institutions may be helpful in pursuing a career in this field. In addition to the institutions listed here, please refer to "For more information" (at left) for a list of organizations and associations that may also offer programs of study.

Institution	Programs offered
University
Algoma University	Fine Arts Studies (B.F.A.)
Brock University	Communications Studies (B.A.) Communications, Pop Culture and Film
Brock University - Hamilton Campus	Communications, Pop Culture and Film
Carleton University	Journalism (B.J.) Journalism (M.J.) Mass Communication (B.A.)
Glendon College	Communications (B.A.) Communications (B.A.)
Lakehead University	Visual Arts
Laurentian University	Arts (with Georgian College, Barrie Campus) - 3 Year Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Fine Arts - 4 Year
Queen's University	Communications (B.A.)
Ryerson University	Communication and Culture (Ph.D.) Image Arts: Film Studies (B.F.A.) Image Arts: New Media (B.F.A.) Image Arts: Photography Studies (B.F.A.) Journalism (B.Journ.) Theatre: Performance Acting (B.F.A.) Theatre: Performance Dance (B.F.A.) Theatre: Technical Production (B.F.A.)
University of Guelph	Studio Art (M.F.A.)

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Career path

Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?

This is a senior-level position that requires extensive knowledge of the industry, so working your way up through the ranks is the way to go. In addition to "hard" skills and experience, managers need excellent organizational and people skills.

Employers

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

Arts managers are employed by radio and television stations, by newspaper, periodical, and book publishing firms, and by film, theatre, multimedia, record, and video production companies.

Work environment

Specific environmental conditions depend on the industry. A record producer, for instance, will spend a good deal of time in a recording studio. A film director will spend a good deal of time on location–which could be anywhere. Managing a project or department requires having "a finger in many pies," so the work day will most likely be quite varied–and sometimes very long.

Common job titles

Also Known As....

ballet company director
book publishing manager
broadcasting manager
copyright manager - publishing
dance company director
editor-in-chief
manager, radio station
managing editor
opera company director
publishing manager
radio programming manager
station manager, broadcasting
television station manager
theatre company manager
video production company manager

For more information

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.

• ACTRA
  The Association of Canadian Radio and Television Actors.

• Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television
  The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is a national non-profit professional association designed to promote, recognize and celebrate exceptional achievements in the Canadian film and television industries. 

• Advertising and Design Club of Canada

• Association of Registered Graphics Designers of Ontario
  General information on the profession, plus a list of post-secondary options for those wanting to pursue a career.

• Canadian Actors Equity Association
  Canadian Actors Equity is an association of actors that deals with issues such as contracts, working conditions, etc.

• Canadian Association of Broadcasters
  An interesting, informative site. The CAB represents the vast majority of Canadian programming services, including private television and radio stations and networks, and specialty, pay and pay-per-view television services. Has information on industry issues such as Canadian content, and social policy issues such as cultural diversity and violence.

• Canadian Association of Journalists

• Canadian Film Centre
  This institution offers practical training and education for aspiring Canadian directors, producers, technical crew, writers and others in film, television and new media.

• Canadian Screen Training Centre
  Provides training for aspiring film, television and new media professionals.

• Cultural Human Resources Council

• Orchestras Canada
  This site has some very good information, including links to other arts organizations in Canada and worldwide.

• Work in Culture (Cultural Careers Council Ontario)
  A wonderful site all about culture in Canada and especially Ontario. A great Learn section with info on mentoring, online learning, training institutions, etc. Be sure to check out the Library, which has more than 200 links of interest.