Courses
BPAC 400
Contemporary Cultural Practices I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Completion of lower-level requirements of BPA degree
This interdisciplinary course examines pivotal Twentieth-century innovations in Western art such as Modernism, the Viennese School, Dadaism, and Constructivism. Through analysis of historical and socioeconomic contexts, students explore how artistic disciplines coexist and influence each other. Students identify and examine the parameters and principles behind the paradigm shift that led to new artistic concepts and innovative forms in music, film, video, theatre, dance, writing and visual arts.
BPAC 401
Canadian Cultural Policy and the Performing Arts (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Completion of lower-level requirements of BPA degree
This course provides an overview of public arts funding in Canada, including its historical development, institutional structures and the formulation and execution of municipal, provincial and federal policies. Students will focus on the status of the artist in the contemporary cultural performance milieu through the exploration of institutional and governmental acts, policies, reports, objectives, strategic initiatives and programs. Students will also examine the interplay of forces that influence and shape public arts policy. Through this process they will gain important insights into how public, foundation, corporate funding and earned revenue can be harnessed to enable meaningful arts production.
BPAC 402
Advanced Production Planning I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Completion of lower-level requirements of BPA degree
This course examines and analyzes the organizational structures and systems in arts and entertainment management. Students explore how performing arts organizations function and how production, distribution and support of arts and cultural products intersect in the Canadian context.
BPAC 403
Studies in Interdisciplinary Performance (6 credits)
Prerequisite: Completion of lower-level requirements of BPA degree
In this course students extend their experiential knowledge of one or more performing arts disciplines beyond their specific discipline. For example, students with a specialty in Stagecraft or Arts Management may use this course to develop skills and understanding in traditional performance elements such as dance or acting; or actors may wish to extend their knowledge of music. This extension of training beyond specific disciplines may be preparation that is directly related to the festival production work of the final term. Members of the cohort will be expected to share their expertise with other cohort students. Guest lecturers and workshop leaders will be used to provide expertise in the areas that the cohort requires.
BPAC 404
Contemporary Cultural Practices II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: BPAC 400
This interdisciplinary survey course continues the exploration begun in BPAC 400 of the pivotal artistic developments in post-World War II Western art. Through exploration of historical, political and socioeconomic contexts, students identify and analyze factors that created a new arts climate after World War II. Students study important new artistic movements such as Minimalism and Maximalism, and the new forms of technology that transformed the artistic landscape.
BPAC 405
Advanced Production Planning II (1.5 credits)
Prerequisite: BPAC 402
This course is a continuation of BPAC 402. The course guides students through the business and technical side of producing an interdisciplinary performance production. Students acquire an understanding of arts funding in Canada including municipal, provincial and federal support, foundations, corporate sponsorship and earned revenue in order to mount successful productions.
BPAC 406
Strategic Career Planning (1.5 credits)
Prerequisite: BPAC 401
This course provides students with knowledge of critical aspects of the Canadian infrastructure and also the tools necessary to make informed choices in strategic career planning. The course includes a review of Canadian municipal, provincial and federal cultural infrastructures and funding bodies. Throughout, students explore the interaction between the individual performing artist and Canadian cultural institutions and learn how to network effectively and make professional connections. Knowledge and skills learned will include preparation of contracts, appropriate use of copyright law, interview techniques, publicity and marketing elements.
BPA 407
Interdisciplinary Performance Production (12 credits)
Prerequisite: BPAC 402, 403 and 406
Students create a company to produce an original interdisciplinary performance production. Students demonstrate an understanding of the core concepts of the business of the performing arts by fulfilling all requirements of production and performance including creation of an original text, all technical aspects, marketing, booking, budgeting and financial management.
