Working in partnership, the department of Art History & Visual Studies and the Division of Continuing Studies launched two new micro-certificate programs this past year: Digital Planning for the Cultural Sector and Indigenous Cultural Stewardship. 

Fine Arts is at the forefront of this new professional development area at UVic, thanks to the continued popularity of our long-running Cultural Resource Management program, through which AHVS and Continuing Studies already offer a diploma and professional specialization certificates. 

Micro-certificates are small, focused, competency-based qualifications that align with the needs of industry and community, foster respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, and offer opportunities to upskill or reskill with new practices that are in demand with cultural organizations. 

While largely of interest to professionals already working in the GLAM sector (galleries, libraries, archives and museums), these new micro-certificates consist of a single course each and can also be taken by undergraduate and graduate students and applied toward any certificate, diploma or degree program to be more industry-ready upon graduation.    

Digital Planning for the Cultural Sector provides timely training for working professionals to develop the critical competencies and skills needed to make informed decisions around the future of digital technologies for cultural organizations. Learners develop a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities for cultural organizations in a digital economy, alongside tools and strategies to successfully plan and implement digital initiatives.

Distinguished Alumni & Indigenous Cultural Stewardship instructor Lucy Bell with student

Indigenous Cultural Stewardship weaves together skills and knowledge to create a more diverse, positive and sustainable future in the GLAM sector, while enhancing relationships with Indigenous Peoples by recognizing and safeguarding Indigenous cultural heritage and cultural practices.

Both courses are proving to be successful additions to our professional development offerings: Indigenous Cultural Stewardship has run once and Digital Planning has already run twice at full enrollment — with a waitlist each time.