1. Culture and Heritage Site Management Exposes Students To Unique
Career Opportunities
National historic sites, national and provincial parks, federal, provincial and municipal
cultural funding agencies; related not-for-profit arts, cultural and heritage organizations,
historic sites, zoos, government departments, arts service organizations and more all hire
managers with a skill set that enables them to effectively manage such culture and
heritage resources.
Centennial College’s Culture and Heritage Site Management offers students heritage
management courses that take just two semesters to complete if they have previously
obtained a college diploma or university degree in any discipline or have completed partial
post secondary education and relevant work experience in the field.
Those looking for a speedy way to enter the workforce will find the compressed delivery
format of this offering beneficial. Students are familiarized with practical management
courses as well as industry-based subjects relevant to this largely publicly run or not-for-
profit culture and heritage sector. To round out training, partnerships with local, regional,
provincial and national institutions and establishments give students the opportunity to
complete a field placement that lasts 15 weeks during the second semester.
Here are some of the unique courses through which students gain their knowledge and
skills.
Financial Management and Planning for the Culture and Heritage: Bookkeeping,
accounting and financial principles are all used to make management decisions in this field.
As such, students are exposed to material that is presented from a General Management
and Board (of Directors) perspective. Case studies complement inspection into the practical
fiscal challenges confronting contemporary sector managers.
Grants Fundraising and Sponsorship: In a largely not-for-profit sector, this course is
essential. Students become familiar with skills needed to successfully complete grant
applications and fundraising techniques. By examining the fundraising process with respect
to major gifts and major gift vehicles, learners identify the characteristics of prospects,
conduct successful prospect research, plan for individual solicitations and promote the
fostering and retention of major donors.
Culture and Heritage Marketing and Strategy: Topics covered in this course include
designing missions, building audiences/clientele and generating revenue and resources.
Students also learn the singular marketing challenges encountered by not-for profit and
public sector culture and heritage organizations, and discover mitigating strategies. Case
studies are used to enhance learning.
Issues in Heritage, Museums and Galleries: This culture course brings to the
awareness of students the current key challenges and trends confronting culture and
heritage sector practitioners. The course begins with overviews relating to the culture and
heritage sector. This leads to an examination of issues specific to heritage matters. The
relationship between sites and individuals; public participation in heritage; museum and
gallery processes and activities; sustainability; political dimensions associated with heritage
tourism; the drivers of construction and presentation of how visitors consume heritage and
culture are examined through essays, guest speakers and site visits.