Arts and Culture SHSM
Creativity thrives when you push yourself. Your Arts and Culture SHSM develops your artistic voice through performance, design, and cultural experiences. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada challenges you to grow in new ways—building resilience, confidence, and skills beyond your primary art form.
How you can link your SHSM experiences with Award Canada:
Complementary SHSM Experiences:
Arts certifications, cultural industry placements, media production training, performance workshops, visual arts techniques, and creative industry exposure.
Example SMART Goal (Bronze, 13 Weeks):
Over the next 13 weeks, I’ll develop my skills in one arts medium (like digital design, theatre, or music production) by spending about an hour each week on hands-on practice through my SHSM. I’ll create at least five portfolio pieces and track how my technique improves based on feedback.
Example Assessor:
SHSM Lead Teacher or Arts Industry Partner
Example Log for ORB:
Today I worked on a digital design project, learning to use layers and colour correction. My compositions are getting more balanced now. Next week, I’ll focus on typography and apply feedback from my instructor.
Complementary SHSM Experiences:
Dance, movement-based performance, physical theatre, stage movement, and fitness to support artistic performance and stamina.
Example SMART Goal (Bronze, 13 Weeks):
For the next 13 weeks, I’ll improve my physical performance skills by spending about an hour each week on dance or movement training. I want to build my flexibility, coordination, and stage presence. I’ll track my progress through how long I can maintain energy during performances.
Example Assessor:
Dance Instructor, Theatre Teacher, or SHSM Lead Teacher
Example Log for ORB:
Today I practiced choreography for our upcoming show, focusing on timing and expressing emotion through movement. I kept my energy up through the full routine this time. Next week, I’ll work on smoother transitions between movements.
Complementary SHSM Experiences:
Volunteering at community arts events, teaching arts to younger students, supporting cultural festivals, and contributing to school or community productions.
Example SMART Goal (Bronze, 13 Weeks):
Over the next 13 weeks, I’ll volunteer about an hour each week helping with community arts programs—things like running children’s workshops, setting up events, or supporting cultural festivals. I’ll track what I contribute and how my teaching skills improve.
Example Assessor:
Arts Organization Coordinator or Community Program Supervisor
Example Log for ORB:
Today I helped run a kids’ art workshop at the community centre, showing them basic painting techniques. I gave clearer instructions and did a better job encouraging kids who felt nervous. Next week, I’ll prepare a demo so they can see the steps before trying.
(Completed as a team over 2 days and 1 night. Your team will plan, do, and review the journey together—learning through teamwork, challenge, and reflection.)
General Activity Description:
A cultural exploration where your team travels on foot to visit significant arts and heritage sites in your community. You’ll document creative expression through photography and sketching, interview artists or cultural workers, and reflect on how arts build community identity.
Example Team SMART Goal (Bronze – 2 Days, 1 Night):
As a team, we’ll complete a 2-day journey visiting at least four cultural sites. We’ll document artistic expression through photos and notes, interview at least two people working in the arts, and reflect together on how arts connect communities and what we learned about creative collaboration.
Example Assessor/Supervisor:
SHSM Lead Teacher, Arts Organization Coordinator, or Approved Award Leader
Example Group Debrief (Progress-Focused):
Visiting different cultural sites showed us how many ways people express creativity. We got better at assigning documentation roles so everyone captured different perspectives. Next time, we’d research sites in advance and prepare better interview questions.
Career Pathways
- artisans and craftspersons
- other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
- painters and decorators
- actors and comedians
- announcers and other broadcasters
- artisans and craftspersons
- audio and video recording technicians
- broadcast technicians
- film and video camera operators
- graphic arts technicians
- graphic designers and illustrators
- interior designers and interior decorators
- other performers
- other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
- photographers
- supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing production supervisors
- technical occupations related to museums and art galleries
- theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
- authors and writers
- conductors, composers and arrangers
- conservators or curators
- dancers
- painters, sculptors and other visual artists
- producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
- professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
- camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations
- desktop publishing operators and related occupations
- graphic artists and illustrators
- musicians and singers
- other performers
- photographic and film processors
- textile fibre and yarn, hide and pelt processing machine operators and workers
- weavers, knitters and other fabric-making occupations
