Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/343577
PROVIDENCE UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE ProvidenceUniversityCollege provides a premier Christ-centred university education. RECEIVE A SCHOLARSHIP FOR UP TO $2,000 AcademicEntranceScholarshipsStillAvailable forFall2013orWinter2014- APPLYTODAY! Situatedonabeautiful100-acrecampus,Providenceisonly30-minutessouthofWinnipeg. ProvidenceUC.ca 1.800.668.7768 info@prov.ca EARN YOUR B.A. DEGREE 6 WINNIPEGFREEPRESS,SATURDAYAUGUST3,2013 ByHolliMoncrieff For the Free Press Y ou've just finished playing a video game. There was something about it—a disappointing ending, confusing navigation, weak characters—and you know you could do better. Now you can prove it. The University of Winnipeg's PACE (Professional, Applied and Continuing Education) division is offering a Serious Games Certificate program this fall. The course brings together the latest game technology, game design and game-based learning and is designed to prepare developers for employment in the industry. Stu- dents will learn the fundamentals of game design through creating their own storyboards, level designs and proto- types. This part-time program was developed in partner- ship with Project Whitecard, a local gaming company. "Gaming is becoming seriously hot in Winnipeg. Our city is becoming recognized in the industry. This is a growing sector," says Stevi Dram, marketing and IT consultant for PACE. Participants in the Serious Games Certificate Program will learn how to develop, design and launch their own games. "We tend to be ahead of the trends in the programs we offer. We're very industry-connected," Dram adds. "People can take our part-time programs at their leisure—it's up to them when they take the courses. Everyone has five years to complete these programs." A new full-time program, the Managerial and Financial Leadership Diploma, emphasizes sustainable business approaches within a comprehensive financial framework. Graduates of the program will be able to solve complex business problems and improve organizational perform- ance in an ever-changing business environment. Those interested in the Business Systems Analysis course of study can take the classes on a part- time basis. Business analysts conduct research, develop and implement information systems development plans, policies and procedures and provide advice on a wide range of information system issues. "This program teaches people how to analyze the systems and needs of a business. The role of a business analyst is to bridge the gap between the need identified in the strategic plan and the available solutions," explains Dram. "Every business is technology-driven now. Technology is an integral part of everyday life." The PACE Marketing Management Diploma Program prepares students to work in a marketing capacity with the theoretical foundation and a blend of marketing tools, systems and strategies. PACE offers the Marketing Management Diploma Program as a part-time study option and integrates the Marketing Management requirements into the full-time Public Relations Marketing Management Program curriculum. "This program will give graduates a broad foundation of everything needed to succeed in marketing, including learning about the globalization of technology, social media marketing and its power—the impact it can have on your company," Dram says. "The courses include a lot of writing, as you learn how to get your message out in a powerful way. You can really tailor your message." One of PACE's most popular offerings is the full-time Human Resource Management diploma. This diploma is the highest Human Resources educational credential in Manitoba outside of a business degree, adds Dram. The full-time Human Resource Management Program layers traditional elements of human resource management with a heavy emphasis on leadership, concrete business tools and effective communication. The full-time program aligns its content to industry- recognized standards and best professional practices, earning graduates top scores on their professional designation examinations. Graduates of this program will attain both a Human Resource Management Diploma and a Management Certificate. "We're blending management skills with technology in more of our courses to make our students as marketable as possible," Dram says. "We're really being innovative with how we're delivering these courses." The University of Winnipeg has released a PACE magazine with detailed information about all of the programs offered by the division. The first issue of the new publication was mailed to prior and current students in early August. "The magazine is supplemented with career tips and information about job markets—our first issue includes seven interviews with successful students," says Dram. "Every issue will be enhanced with augmented reality that works with smartphones." If you haven't received an issue and would like one, you can call 204-982-6633. The division's Facebook page is another great source of additional information, Dram says. "Every Tuesday we feature a different student. We share job tips and trends. We're very happy with it—it looks great." For more information on PACE programs and how to register, please visit their website at pace.uwinnipegcourses.ca.❙ UOFW'SPACEDIVISIONKEEPSAHEADOFINDUSTRYTRENDS Students take part in a public relations class at the University of Winnipeg. PhotobyDarcyFinleyfortheWinnipegFreePress By Holli Moncrieff For the Free Press Everyone has an inner artist. If you'd like to discover yours, what better place than the Winnipeg Art Gallery? "We offer a lot of the basic classes you'd find in an art school—drawing, painting, pottery and sculpture," says Michael Boss, head of Winnipeg Art Gallery's (WAG) Studio, which has been holding art classes for over 100 years. "It's important for people to be able to express themselves." The Studio offers art classes suitable for a wide range of levels and experience, and beginners are most welcome, Boss says. There is still a misconception among the public that you have to be an established artist to take WAG Studio courses. "A lot of the classes we offer are at the beginner level. People may be intimidated at first, but they soon realize it's a pretty relaxed atmosphere. We're all about nurturing our students and helping them express themselves visually," he says. "We spend a fair bit of time just talking to people, finding out where they're at. It's that personal contact that makes a big difference." Class sizes are kept small. Most have 10 people on average, with a maximum of 15. Some classes only accept six or seven students. All of the instructors are practising professional artists with Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. Several have Masters degrees in fine arts and others also have degrees in education. "We're delighted when other people want to learn the things we love," says Boss. "Our instructors are very friendly and open to people. If I could think of one word for us, it would be encouraging." The Studio tends to offer classes in the mediums and methods that are most in demand. "Different things tend to fade in and out—watercolours used to be really popular," Boss explains. "We've had a lot of interest in pottery classes lately. We're holding four different pottery classes this fall." Another popular course is mixed media. Participants will experience a variety of art materials. Possibil- ities include drawing and painting, collage, printmaking and 3D pro- jects. The instructor will encour- age the combining and layering of media and developing projects over more than one class. "Our mixed-media class is more of a departure from the classic things we teach. Students might do something 2D or 3D and use a variety of materials. They might be working on painting but add elements of collage," says Boss. "We provide opportunities for our students to express themselves. We don't believe in a cookie-cutter approach. It's all about what the individual wants to accomplish." Traditional Drawing was added to the Studio's repertoire last fall. Classes in Traditional Drawing run once a week for 20 weeks. "Most of our courses are once a week for 10 weeks. This is a much more intense examination of the details of what we'd call academic drawing," Boss says. "The work the students did was really accomplished because they had a lot more time to learn." A personal favourite of Boss's is the Drawing in the Galler- ies course. "Drawing in the Galleries is one of the most interesting classes we have. Students sit in the galleries and draw from the work that's on display," he says. "That kind of direct contact with works of art deepens our understanding of what art is about. You learn so much from this kind of class. It really brings art alive for the students." If you've never taken art classes before, Boss recommends Drawing 1 as a good place to start. Designed for students who have little or no drawing experience, this course provides an introduction to basic techniques and fundamental concepts of drawing. You will develop observation skills while working with a variety of subjects, including still life studies and the human form. Course content varies slightly among instructors. This class is a great confidence builder before attempting other media. "Most of the pottery classes you can just walk right in and start working with clay, but painting tends to hinge on your ability to draw," Boss says. Adult classes begin Sept. 23 and general registration starts Aug. 20. Students are able to register online. Some of the classes fill up quickly, especially Drawing 1 and pottery. "We certainly encourage people to contact us sooner rather than later. Sometimes people bring examples of work they have done so we can see where they might fit," says Boss. "We talk them through it. They have nothing to worry about – we're here to help." For more information, please see their website at wag.ca/learn/art- classes/wag-studio. ❙ WAGCOURSES WILL BRING OUT THE ARTIST IN YOU Vitaliy Yatsevych (standing) teaches a drawing class at the WAG Studio. Photo by Darcy Finley for the Winnipeg Free Press