In partnership with Yukon College.

       Course Content How to Apply & FAQ's Reasons for Taking A4E

 

I've learned an incredible amount. It's very unlikely that I would have left Dawson to go to school. This was such a priceless opportunity. .
Riley Brennan (student - 2004)

I see things differently now. You know, I was in a rut...That's changed. Man, you know, I'm 29 and I've got to do something with my life. This course really opened my eyes. I never knew I had the abilities I do.
Wyatt Morgan (Tr'ondek Hwech'in student – 2004)

 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Klondike Institute of Art and Culture and the Dawson Campus of Yukon College, have designed an innovative and exciting seven & half month program that will prepare students for the increasing number of employment opportunities in the arts. Opportunities for full time employment in the cultural industries are growing, as are the prospects for contract work. This growth creates the need for people who are familiar with the principles of art and design, and who have a working knowledge of the technology and programs used in arts related industries. Arts for Employment is a noncredit pre-employment program that is intended to help sudents decide career paths related to visual arts, develop professional portfolios and gain entry level skills towards employment in the cultural industries.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The students in this program will acquire skills and sensitivity in various media. They will become effective in the creative and production processes that will contribute to the development of a more competitive arts industry in the Yukon. Employers cite creativity as one of the most important traits an employee can possess. This program will nurture creativity as well as help students to develop the professional attitudes and experience that are valued by employers. Instruction will develop and enhance new conceptual processes, technical and business analysis, and critical thinking skills.

TARGET STUDENT

This course will appeal to students with artistic ability who are interested in pursuing a career in an arts related field. While the primary focus of the course will be on the visual arts, the student will be introduced to several other cultural industries - new media, marketing, and filmmaking. Students will be expected to work independently and as team members, while developing time management and organizational skills essential to working in the cultural industries. If you're interested in employment in the arts, our program is designed to develop and direct your creative skills into employment and employable situations. Arts for Employment is an innovative program, developed in partnership by KIAC and Yukon College. The broad range of curriculum focuses on traditional and contemporary training for employment in cultural industries.

Knowledgeable and experienced instructors will provide students with specialized, group and individual teaching in a supportive learning environment. COURSE CONTENT

COURSE CONTENT

The program will run from September 19th, 2005 to April 28th, 2006 six hours a day for twenty nine weeks, for a total of 852 hours. The program will take place at the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture, Odd Fellows Campus, with the exception of the computer based courses, which will take place at the Dawson Campus of Yukon College. The program components are as follows:

Graphic Design (60 hours)

Students will be introduced to fundamental design theories, histories and concepts and their application in design projects. Initial projects will be in black and white, progressing through tonal studies to projects that explore various colour theories and principals.

Art Foundations (132 hours)

Students will be introduced to traditional art techniques, histories and theories using pencil, charcoal, coloured pencil, watercolours, acrylics, ink and combinations of the above. Students will explore various creative processes through a series of progressive assignments. Fundamental art theories and techniques will be examined in relation to graphic design, film, photography and new media.

Computer Graphic Design (219 hours)

This course will cover basic computer graphics applications and techniques while reinforcing the key elements of graphic design. A variety of practical projects will teach the students how to apply their creativity in a computer-based environment. Each student will have exclusive use of a computer station. In the first component of the course, the students will use Adobe Photoshop to scan and manipulate images and to experiment with the various applications and techniques this software has to offer.

The second part of the course uses the software package Adobe Illustrator to create illusions, symbols, diagrams, and logos, from first inception to finished artwork. During the last five weeks, the students will cover principles of layout and composition including an introduction to typography, the use of grids, structures, and image placement using Adobe InDesign.

The students will then incorporate all three programs to complete a series of practical projects such as brochures, CD covers and business cards.

Photography (129 hours)


Traditional Photography
- The fundamentals of 35 mm black and white photography including darkroom procedures, pinhole photographs and alternative processes.

Digital Photography - Students will be assigned their own digital cameras and learn the essentials of digital photography and printing.

photo courtesy of Mario Villeneuve

Kendra Wallace poses an apple for a pinhole photograph

 
Filmmaking (144 hours)

Almost everyone has grown up under the influence of television and films. Most people are fluent at decoding their messages and getting meaning from them, whether it's a drama, the news, a cartoon, or even a commercial. In this unit, we offer an intensive experience of learning the art of moving picture technique by moving from the sole role of viewers, the decoding audience -- to directors, the architects or encoders of images. Participants learn to operate cameras, sound gear, and edit software while focusing on how images make sense. Participants produce practice films and also their own individual projects. We also address story development, planning, industry opportunities, lighting, and terminology.

Field Trip (30 hours)

Students spend five days in Whitehorse receiving instruction, demonstration, and orientation sessions from professionals employed in the arts, crafts, photography, design, print, television, radio, and new media industries. A panel discussion at the end of the week provides for a focussed question and answer session with senior level industry professionals, and the opportunity for the students to network.

Web Design (111 hours)

Students will extend their computer graphic skills in web design through the use of software programs - Macromedia's Dreamweaver and Flash. Each student will be guided through the process of designing, implementing, and uploading their own web site, featuring work that they have completed during the previous components of the program.

Career Planning/Program Evaluation (27 hours)

Students will write resumes, learn job search skills, compile multi-application portfolios, develop small business skills, and research future education opportunities. The students will have the opportunity to reflect on the program to assess their suitability for and interest in the various fields and to give feedback to the instructors and coordinators for future direction. A final graduating exhibition in the ODD Gallery will be mounted providing students the opportunity to display their best work from the past year.

Course Instructors

The Arts for Employment arts courses is taught by professional, practicing artists, designers and technicians.


SOME REASONS FOR TAKING ARTS FOR EMPLOYMENT

Develop arts related employment skills, including discipline specific skills and analytical and critical thinking skills.

Create a professional portfolio adaptable to specific industries.

Develop a foundation for life long creativity & learning.

Be a part of Dawson's thriving arts community.

 

Other KIAC initiatives include:

ODD Gallery, Macaulay Artist Residency, Annual Dawson City International Short Film Festival, Annual Yukon Riverside Arts Festival, Youth Art Enrichment, Summer Youth Art Camp

Ongoing, year round, continuing education in the arts; theatre, music and dance performances.


HOW TO APPLY

Arts for Employment is a seven & half month full time program offered by Yukon College and the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture in Dawson City, Yukon, from September 18th, 2006 through April 30th, 2007. Application Deadline is postmarked by July 14th, 2006.

Basic computer skills are a must.

Application procedures and current information can be obtained by contacting either:

Klondike Institute of Art and Culture
Bag 8000
Dawson City, Yukon
Y0B 1G0
Phone: 867-993-5005
Fax: 867-993-5838
Email: dawsonarts@yknet.ca
Dawson Campus of Yukon College
Box 313
Dawson City, Yukon
Y0B 1G0
Phone: 867-993-5231
Fax: 867-993-6918
Email: ycdawson@yukoncollege.yk.ca

 


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What about housing? Students and instructors who have come to Dawson for the Arts for Employment program in the last five years have been able to find affordable housing by taking advantage of Dawson's many bed and breakfasts who rent rooms by the month in the off season. We can provide you with a list. There are also homes and apartments for rent.

2. Is there any financial assistance available? Many of our students have been able to access funding through Human Resource Development Canada (their main office is in Whitehorse and there are Outreach Offices in Dawson and Watson Lake). Other students have received funding from the Territorial Training Allowance (contact YTG education - you must have lived in the Yukon for a certain length of time), or through individual First Nation Human Resource Departments. Because Arts For Employment is not an accredited program Canada Student Loans are not applicable.

3. What about art supplies? Because Dawson is a fairly small community, KIAC will have all necessary art supplies in stock. If you have your own supplies, bring them with you. It will save you purchasing more. Each student will spend up to approximately $600 on art supplies.

4. How do I apply for the program? Please contact KIAC or the Dawson Campus of Yukon College for an application package. It contains a standard Yukon College application form, and a questionnaire. These must be returned to us postmarked by August 11th, 2005. A committee of administrators and instructors will review the packages and conduct interviews, if necessary.

5. How much is tuition? Last year the tuition for the program was $1050.00 and students paid a $50.00 per semester computer lab fee. The fees have not been set for this year; but we expect a modest increase.

HOME | GENERAL INFO | KIAC | PROGRAMS | CULTURAL TOURISM | ODD GALLERY | FILM FESTIVAL | ARTS FESTIVAL

Klondike Institute of Art & Culture, Bag 8000, Dawson, Yukon, Y0B 1G0, Canada.
Telephone: 1-867-993-5005 Fax: 1-867-993-5838
email: dawsonarts@yknet.ca

© 2006 Dawson City Arts Society