New Certificate offers the finer things in life

May 2 , 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

What with work, painting and running from pillar to post with her family, Brenda Johnson didn't have much time for the finer things in life. But when she took a History of Theatre class at Douglas College, it opened up a whole new world for her.

"It was like: 'Oh! There are other things happening out there!' I was totally drawn towards the academic," says Johnson.

Since then, Johnson has been taking other fine arts courses, but her broad range of interests weren't leading her to a credential.

Responding to the needs of students like Johnson, Douglas College has developed a one-year certificate in the Performing and Fine Arts. It's tailored to students coming directly from high school with an interest in the arts as well as mature students like Johnson returning to school for enrichment or a new career direction.

"This will appeal to students who are right out of high school who have a wide range of interests, but are not at a point where they're ready to commit to a specific two-year program," said Theatre instructor Christine Dewar. "This will give them some breadth and depth."

Beginning this Fall, the certificate will provide students with an academic focus with a variety of performance options. The 30-credit certificate allows students to take courses from the Stagecraft, Theatre, Creative Writing, English and Music programs. A wide variety of courses are open to certificate students - everything from Set Painting to Jazz Band, Acting for Stage to Writing for Film.

Course credits are transferable, so students who wish to further explore subjects like Music, Art History, Film Studies, Theatre History or Creative Writing can continue their studies. Dewar says it's also a good way for students to prepare for the two-year Douglas College Stagecraft, Theatre and Music programs.

"We suspect the certificate will be a starting point for students who might end up being Fine Arts students or Canadian Studies students," says Dewar. "They'll have had an opportunity to do things like take a little bit of guitar or sing in a choir or learn how to paint stage sets."

Painting is one of Johnson's passions. But she's also interested in music and other arts. So the new certificate is something that has her excited.

"I'm very interested in it - very much so," says Johnson. "I've been looking for something that I could work towards and I'm very interested in the academic courses."

Dewar describes the philosophy behind the Performing and Fine Arts certificate as "a real Renaissance approach" where the breadth and joy of learning is paramount.

"In a time of incredible specialization, it's just wonderful to be able to value and appreciate the range of arts and to build students who will continue to go see plays and see exhibits, who are interested in films in more than just the Hollywood sense," says Dewar.

"I hope we can produce students who have an enthusiasm for learning and reading and actively participating: not just in performance, but as excellent and informed, literate audience members - that's the real object."

Johnson, a legal assistant who is active in theatre, couldn't agree more.

"It's not the end result - it's the interest in-between. It's fascinating. When you get into something that really hits home, it's great to just immerse yourself," says Johnson.

For further information on the Performing and Fine Arts certificate, please contact Christine Dewar in the department of Language, Literature and Performing Arts at 604-527-5690.

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