Program Overview

Students develop skills for their future careers, graduate high school with industry certifications and training and earn an SHSM seal on their high school diploma.

To complete an SHSM, students need to:

• Complete a specific bundle of 8 credits in the arts sector
• Earn industry certifications like first aid and CPR qualifications
• Gain on-the-job skills through cooperative education placements

When students complete an SHSM, they will get:

• A high school diploma with an embossed SHSM seal
• An SHSM record that has details of credit bundle, certifications, placements and other experiences
• Formal recognition on their Ontario Student Transcript

Examples of Elective Certifications

• advanced training in a technique (such as figure drawing, conducting, sewing)
• advanced training in a technology (such as 3D printing, laser cutting, Serato)
• advanced training in an art form (such as mime, tapdance, improvisation)
• advanced training in art therapy
• anti-oppression and allyship training
• audition preparation
• basic electrical safety
• Beauty Specialist Certification Program – 3-part course
• curatorial techniques
• customer service
• elevated work platforms
• event coordination
• fall protection
• first aid/CPR/AED awareness
• framing and matting
• game design
• health and safety – basic
• infection control
• instructor certification
• interactive art forms
• ladder safety training
• leadership skills
• lighting and sound equipment maintenance
• makeup/cosmetology
• musical instrument repair
• portfolio development
• project management
• proposal/grant writing
• pyrotechnics
• recording equipment
• sector-specific software 1 (such as animation, graphic arts)
• sector-specific software 2 (such as photography)
• stage combat
• technical staging
• working at heights
• wrapping and taping for performance and injury 

Examples of Occupations

• Actors and comedians
• Announcers and other broadcasters
• Artisans and craftspersons
• Audio and video recording technicians
• Authors and writers
• Broadcast technicians
• Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations
• Conductors, composers and arrangers
• Conservators or curators
• Dancers
• Desktop publishing operators and related occupations
• Film and video camera operators
• Graphic artists and illustrators
• Graphic arts technicians
• Graphic designers and illustrators
• Interior designers and interior decorators
• Musicians and singers
• Other performers
• Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
• Painters and decorators
• Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
• Photographers
• Photographic and film processors
• Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
• Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
• Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing production supervisors
• Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries
• Textile fibre and yarn, hide and pelt processing machine operators and workers
• Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
• Weavers, knitters and other fabric-making occupations