About
WHEAT Institute
Creative and Expressive Arts Certificate
The Creative and Expressive Arts Certificate: Foundations in Arts Therapies was the first program designed by Darci Adam, initially as a standalone class, and then as a pilot class at the University of Winnipeg. Embark on a transformative one-year journey that brings together a diverse faculty of experienced educators, artists, and therapists. This rich and immersive program includes in-person spring and summer immersions at Painted Sky Studio, along with online therapeutic arts weekends focusing on Poetry, Video Storytelling, Music, Movement, and Creative Drama. Students also take integrated Expressive Arts classes that weave these disciplines together, and participate in a land-based Indigenous arts and worldview experience designed to deepen connection and understanding. New certificate cohorts launch annually in July or October.
Participants typically apply the skills acquired in the program in their workplaces and personal lives. Unlike our diploma programs, with their formal supervised practica, students take Expressive Arts Applications and Counselling Skills through Expressive Arts classes, which allows students to begin practicing their skills in expressive arts. Students bring examples from applied expressive arts in their workplaces, and learn the application of their developing skills in their own real-world situations and at WHEAT Institute. Students learn the difference between the expressive arts therapist and consultant educator / practitioner roles in terms of scope of practice. This program attracts guidance counsellors, resource teachers, and classroom teachers, as well as clergy, artists, community activists and others from a variety of walks of life, who are interested in understanding and utilizing expressive arts.
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Graduates are eligible to register as Expressive Arts Practitioners with the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association (OEATA) and ladder into WHEAT’s Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma or Dual Art and Expressive Arts Therapy Diploma, building on their foundational training in expressive and creative arts therapies.
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2025 Update: We value the benefits of face-to-face programming and land-based experiences. Summer 2024 was our last year offering a hybrid option where students who are unable to attend in person can elect to participate online. Starting summer 2025 we will have mandatory in person spring and summer immersions. The rest of the academic year (September - April) will remain as online classes. Information on accommodation is located HERE
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See our Guide to Expressive Arts in Schools for Classroom Teachers, Student Services Teachers, and Administrators for ways to integrate expressive arts in your school. We are pleased to offer a new opportunity for School-Based Expressive Arts training open to school divisions and educators! Please visit us HERE to learn more.
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For more information about Expressive Arts training, contact WHEAT Institute at info@wheatinstitute.com or register here.
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A copy of our course of study schedule is available upon request.
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Current Requirements
The Creative and Expressive Arts Certificate is open to people with a Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as counselling, education, social work, fine arts, psychology, OT, recreation or divinity. Artists and community activists with some arts background are also eligible. A written application indicating your background is required.
Current Application Process
Application Deadlines: There are a limited number of seats available and spots will be reserved as applications are received. Register now for the 2025 cohort launching November 15, 2025.
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Applicants are selected based on their written application statements, resume, and an art portfolio.
Expressive Arts Certificate
Testimonials
“Every WHEAT learning opportunity provides me with knowledge and strategies that I can immediately implement with my students. I have witnessed a marked difference in my students’ success and mostly in my ability to help them on their healing journey. WHEAT learning is the perfect balance of theory and practical experiences. This immersive learning experiences is refreshing and empowering!”
Expressive Arts Certificate Student, 2018 - 2019
"It is hard to put into words how transformational this experience was. I am very grateful for the teachings, and cannot wait to inspire change!"
Expressive Arts Student from Fyre Jean Graveline's Expressive Arts Studio II
"I am counted among a small handful of folks who were part of the first U of W & WHEAT Institute PBDE cooperative program in School Counselling and Expressive Arts Therapy. I could not have done this re-entry into the world of academia without the yummy goodness that was the experiential, immersive programming at WHEAT. It was what I'd describe as, 'A Scrumptious Education!'"
U of W / WHEAT PBDE Program, 2014-2016
Current Fees - Creative and Expressive Arts Certificate
There is no GST on any of our fees or tuition. All fees are listed in Canadian (CAD) dollars. Training is tax deductible, see more information here.
Tuition Fees for Creative and Expressive Arts Certificate in Manitoba: $9,800.00 CAD
Canadian and American participants will pay in their home currency (CAD and USD, respectively). Participants from outside Canada and the United States are invited to contact WHEAT as program fees will be adjusted for residents from Category II and III Countries based on the Human Development Index. The payment schedule is calculated on the course hours completed each term and tuition installments are due yearly on June 1, September 30, and January 15. An estimate will be provided to students upon acceptance.
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Additional Fees:
$100.00 CAD - Non-refundable Registration Fee
$100.00 CAD - Art Supply fee (waived for online training)
$50.00 CAD - Graduation fee
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