Training & Certification
Learn. Create. Facilitate. Grow.
At Portside ART Institute, we believe learning should be practical, creative and connected to real-world experience.
Our training programs are designed for people who want to develop skills in creative education, expressive arts, facilitation, resilience, coaching and community-based programming.
Some programs lead to Portside certification, while others provide specialized training, professional development or a certificate of completion.
Portside Training Menu
Arts & Expressive Arts Certification
Explore creative and expressive approaches through art, storytelling, creative activities, performance and other forms of creative expression.
This training is designed for individuals interested in incorporating creative approaches into educational, recreational and community-based settings.
Resilience & Coaching
Develop practical skills for supporting resilience, strengths, goal-setting, personal development and positive change through coaching and educational approaches.
This program focuses on supportive, non-clinical coaching and personal development.
Portside Facilitator Certification
The Portside Facilitator Certification Course prepares individuals to facilitate designated Portside creative, recreational and community-based programs.
Training includes practical learning, experiential activities, facilitation skills, participant engagement, program safety and competency development.
The certification pathway may include:
- Application and eligibility
- Training
- Practicum
- Examination
- Competency assessment
- Certification
Comedy Writing & Performance
Through The Comedy House, Portside provides opportunities to explore comedy as an expressive art.
Training may include:
- Comedy writing
- Storytelling
- Improv
- Performance
- Developing comedic material
- Public speaking
- Creative confidence
Programs may be offered as workshops, courses or performance-development opportunities.
More Than Certification
Not every Portside learning opportunity is designed to lead to a formal certification.
We may also offer:
- Workshops
- Short courses
- Skills training
- Creative learning experiences
- Community education
- Professional development
- Specialized training
- Certificates of completion
Each program will clearly identify the type of learning opportunity being offered and any requirements for completion.
Our Training Approach
Portside training is based on experiential learning.
Participants are encouraged to:
Learn
Develop knowledge and understanding.
Explore
Experience new ideas and approaches.
Practice
Apply skills through activities and demonstrations.
Reflect
Consider the experience and identify areas for growth.
Demonstrate
Show competency where certification requires it.
Our goal is to move beyond simply knowing something toward being able to use it confidently and responsibly.
Portside Certification
Where a program leads to Portside certification, participants must meet the requirements established for that specific certification.
Requirements may include:
- Eligibility or prerequisites
- Completion of required training
- Participation requirements
- Practicum
- Examination
- Competency assessment
- Demonstration of required skills
- Completion documentation
Certification is issued only when the applicable requirements have been successfully completed.
Portside Facilitator Certification
The Portside Facilitator Certification is designed specifically for individuals who wish to facilitate designated Portside programs.
Facilitators are expected to understand:
- Their role and responsibilities
- Program expectations
- Participant engagement
- Inclusive facilitation
- Risk awareness
- Safeguarding
- Professional boundaries
- Program procedures
- Safe activity delivery
- When to seek additional support
The certification process is designed to ensure that facilitators are prepared to deliver Portside programming safely, respectfully and effectively.
Trainer Certification & Authorization
Portside also maintains a separate pathway for individuals who wish to become authorized Portside Trainers.
Trainer authorization is different from facilitator certification.
Authorized trainers may be responsible for delivering designated Portside certification courses, supporting learners and participating in competency assessment.
Trainer authorization may involve:
- Eligibility requirements
- Trainer preparation
- Demonstration of competency
- Observation
- Authorization
- Ongoing quality requirements
Only individuals authorized by Portside may deliver designated Portside certification training.
Continuing Learning
Certification is not the end of learning.
Portside encourages ongoing development through:
- Additional courses
- Workshops
- Practice
- Reflection
- Mentoring
- Continuing education
- Community involvement
- Further Portside training
Specific continuing education or renewal requirements will be identified for programs where they apply.
Portside Training & The Counselling House
Portside ART Institute and The Counselling House have different educational and professional roles.
Portside ART Institute
Focuses on:
- Creative education
- Expressive arts
- Community-based learning
- Recreation
- Respite
- Facilitation
- Coaching and personal development education
- Creative and community programming
The Counselling House
Focuses on:
- Counselling
- Psychotherapy
- Clinical mental health services
- Clinical supervision
- Psychotherapy-related education and training
Portside training does not automatically qualify a participant to provide psychotherapy, counselling or other regulated clinical services.
Where a program has a specific professional or regulatory designation, that information will be clearly identified in the individual program description.
Professional & Clinical Training
Portside ART Institute focuses on creative education, community-based learning and facilitator development. Advanced professional training in psychotherapy and art therapy is provided through The Counselling House.
Find the Right Training for You
Whether you’re interested in becoming a Portside Facilitator, exploring expressive arts, developing coaching skills, learning about ARRT, or discovering your comedic voice, there is a place to start.
Explore the Portside Training Menu
Arts & Expressive Arts Certification
Resilience & Coaching
Portside Facilitator Certification
Comedy Writing & Performance
Learn Something New. Create Something Meaningful.
Portside ART Institute
Creative Education • Community Learning • Expressive Arts • Facilitation
