Arts Mackenzie Information Night - For Program starting September 2026

Land Acknowledgement 

We affirm that we are all treaty people and acknowledge that the York Region District School Board is located on the lands of two treaties. These treaties have been signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the First Nations of the Williams Treaties who are: the Mississaugas of Alderville, Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Scugog Island; and the Chippewas of Beausoleil, Rama, and Georgina Island who is our closest neighbour and partner in education. 

To honour this agreement we will take up our responsibility to be respectful of their traditions, knowledge and inherent rights as sovereign nations. We will respect their relationship with these lands and recognize that our connection to this land is through the continued relationship with these First Nations, and we acknowledge our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.

Arts Mackenzie Information Night

• York Region District School Board's Regional Arts Program at Arts Mackenzie
• Arts Mackenzie Disciplines
• Selection Process
• Questions and Answers

District Action Plan

Student Achievement 

We promote and support high expectations for all

• Provide high quality instruction for all learners
• Support sustainable professional development and meaningful learning for staff
• Integrate foundational skills across subject areas in ways that honour all pathways
• Centre students as co-leaders of their growth and development

Health & Well-Being

We build healthy environments and positive relationships

• Build positive relationships and connections to promote feelings of mattering and belonging
• Support the mental and physical health of students and staff
• Create safe and healthy environments to support teaching and learning

Human Rights & Inclusive Education

We learn and grow together, and affirm our diverse identities

• Celebrate and affirm our diverse identities and communities
• Uphold and advance distinct Indigenous rights
• Advance equity for students and staff facing systemic barriers
• Build partnerships that serve students and families while providing opportunities for community engagement

What are the YRDSB Regional Secondary Arts Programs?

The Regional Secondary Arts Programs are an opportunity for Grades 9-12 students committed to exploring and deepening their understanding of/about/through the arts. Each of the 4 school locations offer a package of arts credits (2 per year) that count towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Students will receive a certificate upon completion. Students are invited to apply to the school that corresponds with their attendance boundary. 

Students may apply to arts program disciplines, including: dance, drama, visual arts and music (vocal and instrumental). Some schools offer piano, string and theatre technology. Multiple applications may be submitted by one student to one school. 

There are four secondary schools offering the Specialized Arts program in the York Region District School Board: 

• Alexander Mackenzie High School
• Huron Heights Secondary School
• Unionville High School
• Westmount Collegiate Institute

Arts Mackenzie Boundaries

Families can confirm that Arts Mackenzie is their Arts School by placing their address into the YRDSB School Locator or by checking the YRDSB website. 

About the Program

• Students accepted into the program will take 8 credits in 1 discipline during their 4 years of high school.
• Students will be in ARTS specialized courses with other Arts Mackenzie students.
• Students will take 2 Arts credits per year, 1 in each semester.
• Upon completion of the program, in addition to earning an OSSD, students will earn an Arts certificate

Arts Mackenzie Disciplines

• Dance
• Music
• Dramatic Arts
• Visual Arts

Artistic Demonstration and Selection Process - In-Person Workshop - Music

• Discipline Specific Workshops
  • Collaborative activities
  • Group warm-up and technique
  • Musicianship exercises
  • Group performance tasks
• Individual Demonstration (submitted via Google Classroom)
• Interview Conversation with Arts Mackenzie Faculty

Artistic Demonstration - In-Person Workshop and Portfolio

• Visual Arts Workshop
  • Group 'Drawing from Observation' lesson and exercises
  • Visual response to a prompt
  • Portfolio
• Portfolio
  • Portrait (any medium)
  • Sketchbook
  • Still-Life Drawing or Painting
  • Sculptural Piece - 3D work any medium
  • Three Optional Works:
    • Photography
    • Digital Art
    • Collage
  • Max. 250 word Artist's Statement

Artistic Demonstration for Dramatic Arts - In-Person Workshop at the end of January at Alexander Mackenzie High School

• Drama activities in large groups, small groups, etc.
• Improvisation
• Collaborative theatrical exercises
• Group and individual theatrical tasks
• Incorporating technical theatre into performance
• Interview and Conversation 

Please note, you do not need to prepare anything for the January Workshop for Dramatic Arts.

Please join the AMHS Dramatic Arts Google Classroom: 73zn4sk

Follow us on Instagram: @AMHS.dac and @Artsmackenzie

Please note, if you are unable to attend the in-person workshop in January please reach out to us for additional information on how you can apply. 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact S. Goldman. 

Performance Opportunities:

• Arts Night x2
• Remembrance Day Performance
• Grad Showcase x2
• Spring Shows x4
• DAC Winter Performance x4
• DAC Spring Performance x4
• Regional Drama Festival x2
• National Festival x2
• And more!

Production Opportunities:

• Directing
• Costume Design
• Set Design
• Lighting Design
• Sound Design Stage Management
• Prop Creation
• Public Relations
• Playwright
• Filming and Editing

Highlights:

• Specialty Guest Artists
• Workshops
• Field Trips
• Connections to the Industry
• Hands on Experience
• Access to Professional Spaces
• Scholarship Opportunities
• Technical Opportunities
• Live Performances
• And so much more!

Criteria for Successful Selection

The audition process gives applicants the opportunity to demonstrate their interest, passion and experience in the arts. 

Arts Mackenzie Dance applicants will take part in two processes through a live workshop at AMHS:

• Task A - Attend a workshop at Alexander Mackenzie lead by Arts Mackenzie Dance faculty
• Task B - A conversation to share applicant's interest in dance and the arts

Note: Should you have a conflict attending the in-person workshop, please contact the AMHS main  office or dance faculty. 

Artistic Demonstration - Task A - In-Person Dance Workshop

• Attend an in-person 1 - 1.5 hour workshop held at AMHS instructed by Arts Mackenzie Dance faculty with the purpose of leading students through:
  • Warm up
  • Movement sequences, and allow for explorative collaboration and creation
• Approximately 10-15 students scheduled per session. 

Success Criteria Task A

Students can:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the dance techniques and movement vocabularies in a variety of dance forms
• Accurately reproduce dance sequences from the cues provided
• Perform phrases that explore two or more elements of dance. 

Artistic Demonstration - Task B - Conversation

• 10 minute conversations scheduled in intervals after the in-person workshop
• This conversation is not evaluative; it is used to further understand the applicant's interests and passions for dance education
• An opportunity to share your interests in dance and why you feel a dance education would be something that would benefit you. 

Prompts for Conversation

Some prompts are shared in advance so applicants can reflect and prepare prior to the scheduled conversation. Applicants may bring notes in with them to help them feel more comfortable.

Tips:

• How do you use dance to express yourself?
  How does dance provide you with the opportunity to challenge yourself to grow as an artist and person alike?
• What do you hope Arts Mackenzie Dance will provide you with as you embark on your journey throughout high school?
  How did you feel about your experience today in the Arts Mackenzie Dance workshop?

SHSM (Specialist High Skills Majors)

What is SHSM?

Specialist High Skills Majors let students focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students complete a bundle of courses and gain valuable work experience through Co-op.

Why Consider SHSM - Arts & Culture?

This program enables students to:

• Explore industry experiences through field trips, workshops and guest speakers
• Complete sector recognized certifications (free of charge) to build their resume
• Prepare for post-secondary opportunities and explore career goals
• Post-secondary scholarships available to SHSM grads
• Earn the SHSM Red Seal designation on their OSSD

Arts and Culture SHSM

Arts and Culture SHSM Requirements

• 4 Arts & Culture Major Credits (completed as part of Arts Mackenzie Program)
• 2 Cooperative Education Credits (option to take in summer school)
• Potential placements: Education, graphic design, film / television production, architecture, interior design, fashion design, sound/recording engineer, theatre production, arts administration, wellness clinic, etc.
• 1 Business Studies or Canadian & World Studies course
• Certifications
• Reach Ahead / Experiential Learning Field Trips

3 Steps to Apply to YRDSB Secondary Regional Arts Programs in 2026-2027

1. Registration Online: Edsby
   1. October 28, 2025 - November 28, 2025
   2. If applying to a 2nd program an additional $20 is required
2. Prepare and Complete the Workshop
   1. Last week of Semester 1
3. Results: Email notification
   1. On or around February 3, 2026

Please visit the Regional Secondary Arts School website for more information.

Step 1: Registration Information

Key Dates:

• Opens Tuesday, October 28, 2025
• Closes Friday, November 28, 2025

Registration will be completed through Edsby.

• The link is posted on the website of each Regional Secondary Arts School.

Maximum of 2 applications per student.

• Cost of each application is $20

The application process will follow the Registration.

• Communicated to registrants by email after December 6, 2025. 

What do families need for Edsby Registration?

• Student Number & OEN Number (found on a student's report card)
• Student's Name and date of birth
• Student's home address and phone number
• Parent/Guardian Name and contact information
• Student's current school, grade and which local YRDSB Secondary School the student’s address would default to
• At registration, you may indicate a maximum of of 2 disciplines the students wishes to apply for
  • Please note there is an additional cost of $20 for a second registration

Step 2: Application Process

Interested students would have registered via Edsby by November 28, 2025. Once registration is submitted, students/families will be contacted by email with information outlining the Application process.

The application process may include:

• Artistic demonstration in person
• Invitation to a group workshop
• Interview
• Audition

The selection criteria, by discipline, for this application process will be shared with registrants and will be posted to each Regional Secondary Arts web page.

 The application information will be shared to registrants after December 6th, 2025.

Selection Criteria: Look Fors

Each Discipline has different “Look Fors” during their workshops; however, all Arts Schools in YRDSB have collaborated to make the Success Criteria the same across the board. Please visit our AMHS Artist Demonstration website landing page to learn more. 

• Dance: Skills, Knowledge and Approach
• Drama: Collaboration Skills, Performance Skills and Interview Skills
• Music: Demonstration, Workshop: Musical Elements and Fundamentals, and Conversation
• Visual Arts: Creative Thinking and Idea Development, Understanding and Application of the Elements and Principles of Design, and Technical Proficiency and Media Exploration

Step 3: Selection

Registrants who submitted an application will receive selection notification on or around February 3, 2026.

Applicants will receive one of:

• An offer of admission
• A notification that they are on a waitlist
• A notification that they were not successful

Students must accept or decline an offer.

At this point, schools will begin the Grade 9 registration process. 

Questions?

The link to register and the information about the application will be posted on our Arts Mackenzie website.

Discipline Specific Questions:

• Drama - S. Goldman
• Dance - J. Toshakovski
• Music - K. Vuong
• Visual Arts - T. Fogg

Follow Us on Social Media

Instagram:

• @artsmackenzie
• @artsmackenziedance
• @amhs.music
• @amhs.dac
• @amhs.studio

YouTube

• AMHS YouTube
• Arts Mackenzie
• Alexander Mackenzie Music Department

Frequently Asked Questions