Grow North Creative Space

Grow North Creative Space

Grow North Creative Space

Through programming, community engagement and development, we prioritize investing in North York based artists.

Starting in 2022, North York Arts has been embarking on an exciting path to provide opportunities for artists living in North York through our Grow North program. With three exciting streams, Grow North aims to support artists by way of creative residencies, a microgrants program, and creative sessions. 

We asked our artists what an ideal gathering space would look like to connect, work, and create together. Many artists have been faced with challenges as they try to seek affordable space for their creative projects. With minimal financial stability, renting a studio can be inaccessible to many, especially with competitive grants that fund the creation of projects.

Seeing a gap in access to affordable space, we have responded by piloting a creative space in our creative headquarters where artists can book space by donation. We prioritize decreasing barriers and give artists the opportunity to network and create together.

  • Networking opportunities with other creatives in the community which can lead to collaborative projects, advice, resource sharing, and asset mapping.
  • Low-cost access to space and rental equipment through (membership-based subscriptions) and donations.
Where is it?

5040 Yonge Street – North York Arts headquarters.
Please note this venue is not accessible, the North York Arts office is up a flight of stairs.
Venue Capacity: 10 people per day.

In the meantime, please complete our New Artists Form here.

Art Connects Community Mural

Art Connects Community Mural

Art Connect Mural Unveiling Gibson House 12pm to 3pm

Art Connects 2025

Art Connects: Call for Indigenous Artists

Art Connects is an ongoing initiative that started in 2019 to address North York Arts’ (NYA) role in Truth and Reconciliation. As North York Arts builds programs, partnerships, and relationships, we continue to ask ourselves “As a non-Indigenous organization, what can we do to support the process of decolonization and build right relations with Indigenous communities?” 

In 2023, North York Arts and Gibson House Museum commissioned artist Mo Thunder to create a mural for and with participation of the local community launched at Gibson House and unveiled during Earth Day 2024.

This year, in lead up to a Earth Day 2026 launch, we are commissioning new artwork to be created in consultation with local community members. The content of the artwork, the method of community engagement / consultation (workshops, gatherings, lectures, participatory art creation) will be determined and led by the artist and facilitated by NYA.

The artwork will be unveiled on/around Earth Day 2026 (Spring 2026) and will remain onsite for 2 years. 

Project Objectives:

  1. To provide and amplify voices of Indigenous artists and communities, as well as compensation by featuring an Indigenous artist mural at Gibson House Museum 
  2. To have (2) community consultants incorporating community feedback into the design
  3. To facilitate educational workshops to share Indigenous knowledge

 

Project Timelines:

  • Summer 2025 – Call out for artists
  • Fall 2025 – Community consultations (2)
  • Spring 2026 – Launch

 

Compensation: $7,000 CAD

Learn more about Art Connects here: https://www.northyorkarts.org/project/art-connects-mural/

Eligibility: First Nations, Inuit and Métis residing in Treaty 13.

Selection Process: Artists will be selected by a panel made up of North York Arts staff. 

DEADLINE: Friday, July 25th at 5pm

Please contact Elizabeth Mudenyo, Elizabeth@northyorkarts.org if you have any questions.

Indigenous Community Mural Space

Visit The Gibson House at 5172 Yonge Street to see rotating community artworks on display in this space, designed and led by Indigenous Artists.

2023/24 Art Connects Community Mural

skyworld and beyond
Designed by Mo Thunder

Join us for the unveiling of skyworld and beyond! This is a collaborative mural piece created by Indigenous Artist Mo Thunder. During two interactive art-journalling workshops led by Mo, North York community members had the opportunity to contribute to the creative brainstorming process that inspired the artwork.

Art Connects is an ongoing initiative to address North York Arts’ role in Truth and Reconciliation. As North York Arts builds programs, partnerships, and relationships, we continue to ask ourselves “As a non-Indigenous organization, what can we do to support the process of decolonization and build the right relations with Indigenous communities?”

Mo Thunder

Artist

Learn more about Mo Thunder

Mo is a nonbinary/fluid, neurodivergent multidisciplinary artist and facilitator who grew up in a small town along the St. Clair River, they currently live in T’karonto, which has been home for over a decade. They are Haudenosaunee (Oneida Nation of the Thames), French-Canadian and Anishinaabe (Aamjiwnaang First Nation). Mo holds a BFA in studio art with a focus on drawing, silkscreen printing, photography and video from Fanshawe and Lethbridge University, however, they are also self and community-taught. In June 2022, Mo graduated from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. Through their multidisciplinary art practice (painting, murals, mixed media, beading, journaling, poetry and textiles), they create visual stories about their lived experiences in connection to their personal healing. Mo is also inspired by intergenerational connections and healing, family and memories, personal and collective empowerment, and all of creation, especially skyworld.

2022/23 Art Connects Community Mural

Two-Row Wampum Belt

Designed by Lindsey Lickers

In 2022, North York Arts hosted seven Indigenous talks about Treaty, the geography of North York, our responsibilities to Water and Land, and Indigenous Stewardship, Symbolism, and Art. This series was curated by Lindsey Lickers, and featured Jason Mercredi, Chyler Sewell & Daniel Rotsztain,Carolyn King, James Carpenter, & Raiden Levesque.

Inspired by these talks and teachings, community members and program participants were invited to come together to create a collaborative mural led and designed by lead artist Lindsey Lickers.

This piece depicts the Two Row Wampum, being restored in collaboration with the broader community, supported by the inclusion of participants’ visual responses to the truths shared within the Art Connects, I-Talks series. The wampum beads, stories, and commitments are framed by Lindsey’s stylized interpretation of spirit world above, with land and water below. Watch the mini-documentary below for a closer look into the creation of this project and mural.

Lindsey Lickers

Multi-media Artist, Arts Facilitator and Program Developer

Learn more about Lindsey

Lindsey Lickers is a Haudenosaunee/ Anishinaabe multi-media artist, arts facilitator, and program developer originally from Six Nations of the Grand River with ancestral roots to the Mississaugas of the Credit. Her traditional name is ‘Mushkiiki Nibi Kwe’, which translates to ‘Medicine Water Woman’ and she is of the turtle clan. Recently, she was awarded a commission to create a permanent public installation for the Region of Waterloo’s light rail transit system that will speak to the historical stewardship of the land base of Waterloo and the importance of agriculture from a First Nations perspective.

North York Arts is committed to continue working along Indigenous peoples to deepen our understanding and to bring truth to our programs.

 

In Partnership with The Gibson House Museum

North York Arts logo

Dibaajimowin – Indigenous Storytelling Workshop

Dibaajimowin – Indigenous Storytelling Workshop

An image of the mural created in partnership with Lindsey Lickers, with 4 icons on the sides, and a translucent image of a strawberry heart and a willow tree.

Art Connects – Dibaajimowin

(Deh-bah-je-mo-win)

Dibaajimowin is an Indigenous Knowledge and Zine making workshop series where participants will have the opportunity to learn about the art of Indigenous Storytelling through various art forms, such as dance, visual arts and oral storytelling. Participants will get the chance to participate in a talking/sharing circle and have the opportunity to share stories through their art by creating a collective zine.  Over the course of  3 weeks, participants will have created a mixed media piece of artwork. Participants will be able to take home a copy of the collective Zine they created with their peers.

Audience:

Groups of 20 to 30 participants that meet in North York

*This workshop can be tailored to various age ranges as well as accommodate varying abilities. 

Delivery Method: Option of either an in person session or a  virtual session over zoom to accommodate accessibility needs

 

What will participants gain from this program:

  • Participants will gain knowledge about Global Indigenous histories, decolonization and the various contemporary art forms that are used today to transmit oral history.
  • Participants will also gain new knowledge of traditional Indigenous stories that are shared in many communities today
  • Participants will learn how to make their own Zine.

 

Art Connects is an ongoing initiative that started in 2019 to address North York Arts’ role in Truth and Reconciliation. As North York Arts builds programs, partnerships, and relationships, we continue to ask ourselves “As a non-Indigenous organization, what can we do to support the process of decolonization and build the right relations with Indigenous communities?”

Through the Art Connects program NYA has presented a series of workshops, art installations, talks and tours that aims to connect the local North York Community with both the environment and the history of the land that we live, work and play on. Our free public programs in 2023 will have a focus on environmentalism and building positive relationships with the Indigenous community.

To bring this workshop to your organization, send us an email to info@northyorkarts.org

Cara smiles at the camera in a pink dress on a white background.

Cara McArthur - Workshop Facilitator

Cara McArthur was born and raised in Downtown T’karonto. She is of Trinidadian, Nehiyawak (neh-HEE-oh-wuk), Nakoda descent and is an enrolled member of the White Bear First Nation on Treaty 4 territory. 

Cara is an Interdisciplinary Artist, Public Speaker,  Land Based Educator, Community Development & Engagement Specialist who is passionate about public art and its power to positively impact communities; She has also developed and facilitated traditional knowledge workshops and programming that is rooted in Indigenous Cosmology and Indiginization.

This workshop was designed by Cara for NYA during her tenure as NYA’s Indigenous Program Coordinator & Arts Facilitator. 

North York Arts logo

Journaling Your Cultural Collage

Journaling Your Cultural Collage

VIBE Arts Desire Lines

Journaling Your Cultural Collage with Jasmine Vanstone

About Desire Lines Workshop

Desire Lines is a multi-year program presented by VIBE Arts & made possible by the RBC Foundation and Pattison Outdoor Advertising. Each year, a cohort of equity-seeking, youth artists receive employment and mentorship opportunities to lead and curate their own hands-on art experiences for children and youth.

Journaling Your Cultural Collage: A Wellness Exploration is a reflective and explorative program that uses digital collage and various forms of journaling to affirm identity and practice self-care.

Focusing on found poetry, collage, and self-affirmations, 8-10 youth will explore the basics of Canva to create a printed anthology photo book that documents their collective wellness journey during this 6-week long program. Participants will be led through design elements such as color, composition, and storytelling to strengthen their artistic voice.

This workshop is open to youth ages 16-25, living in North York – BIPOC youth will be prioritized.

Please note the NYA’s office is up a flight of stairs and there are no elevators.

What will participants gain out of this program?

  • Tools for emotional regulation
  • Artistic expression
  • Physical print of their collage
  • Community

Location/ Venue:
North York Arts Office at the Meridian Centre for the Arts
5040 Yonge St. Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8

Enter through the Meridian Centre for the Arts main entrance towards the Box office and take the stairs up to NYA’s office.

Desire Lines Imagery

Dates: Every Friday – March 3th to April 7th

Time: 4:30pm to 6:00pm

Where: In-person, 5040 Yonge Street, above the box office

Price: Free

Applications are now closed, thank you to everyone who applied!

For this program, you will be provided with a tablet, or you can use your own laptop if you prefer. This course will be taught using Google Classroom.

Click here to learn more about VIBE Arts & RBC Desire Lines.

Program Lead: Jasmine Vanstone (VIBE Desire Lines Artist: Multi-media Artist)

Jasmine Vanstone is a Jamaican-Canadian multidisciplinary artist and arts administrator based in North York. A graduate of York University, she earned a BFA with honours in Visual Art and a concurrent certificate in Cultural and Artistic Practice for Environmental and Social Justice. In 2021, Jasmine graduated from Centennial College’s post-grad Arts Management program with aims to inspire and impact others, amplify their voices, and stay resilient through community engagement and arts education.

She is a cohort member of Sketch’s pilot co-learning initiative NextUp! Leaders Lab and an artist on VIBE Arts’ Emerging Artist roster. Jasmine continues to learn, experiment, and grow in every artistic medium she holds curiosity for and at every place that aligns with her mission to hold space for underrepresented voices.

Website: https://www.jasminevanstone.com/

Vibe Arts Logo

About Us

North York Arts (NYA)  collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities

Contact us 

North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8

info@northyorkarts.org

647-477-6059

Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Join Our Network

Light Up Downsview

Light Up Downsview

Light Up Downsview

A Drone Performance by Katharine Harvey at the Downsview Airport

Presented by Northcrest Developments in association with Luminato Festival Toronto and  North York Arts. Join us for an evening of illuminated wonder, as renowned Toronto artist, Katharine Harvey, uses drones flying in 3D formation to create ethereal magic in the sky.

Featuring complimentary hot beverages, entertainment, family activities and a breathtaking display of aerial art, don’t miss this FREE and unforgettable celebration on the soon-to-be re-developed Downsview Airport Lands.

Due to overwhelming demand, our LIGHT UP DOWNSVIEW event has reached capacity. To join the waiting list, click the link below!

For those in the Downsview area, Katharine Harvey’s “Turning In The Light” drone performance will be visible from the skies over Downsview at 7pm on November 12.

Turning in the Light” is a twelve-minute show with 108 independent drones enacting eight scenes in the sky, some based on the artist’s recent paintings.  Katharine Harvey, known for her large-scale public artworks, explores the mystery of the cosmos as interpreted by architectural space. Northstar Drone Shows will program the flight paths of the drones to paint each artistic image in the sky. For those unfamiliar with this technology, imagine fireworks set to music without loud explosions, air, or noise pollution. Afterwards, we welcome the public to see the drone field up close and talk to the flight crew. The creation of this work was funded in part by an Ontario Arts Council grant.

Come early to enjoy pre-show programming by North York Arts between 6pm and 7pm. We’re thrilled to present music by local artist Benjamin De Graaf – DJ Elegance, and a Lantern Parade by Shadowland Theatre.

Make and bring your own lantern using the template below to participate!

Saturday November 12, 2022

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Across from 3 Hanover Road, Toronto (just north of Dufferin & Wilson)

FREE admission with advanced registration required. FREE parking and FREE 5-minute shuttle from Wilson Station. If you need to reserve a parking spot or if you would like to take the free shuttle from Wilson Station, please follow the prompts when you RSVP for this event.

EVENT SCHEDULE

6:00 p.m. Gates Open: free hot beverages, musical entertainment by DJ Benjamin De Graff

6:30 p.m. Lantern Parade by Shadowland Theatre, make your own lantern at home using the template below and join the parade!

7:00 p.m. Drone performance

7:30 p.m. Post-performance opportunity to see the drone field up close and talk to the flight crew.

Meet the Artists

Katharine Harvey

Learn More

Katharine Harvey’s paintings feature rich tactile surfaces and colour effects that convey a sense of luminosity, while her sculptural practice radiates similar perceptions of shifting light and tenuousness through the use of transparent materials.

Website

Shadowland Theatre

Learn More
Shadowland Theatre creates original theatre that entertains, engages, and inspires people to interact positively with each other and their environments. The company works with communities to animate local stories, create seasonal celebrations, and to nurture an appreciation of public and green spaces.
Shadowland’s distinctive theatrical vocabulary includes puppetry, mask, stilt-dance, illuminations, spectacle arts, and live music, animating streets, parks and outdoor spaces with vibrant and large-scale images. Shadowland’s designs have graced many theatre and arts organizations including, most recently, As You Like It for Dream in High Park and VideoCabaret’s Cold War.
Benjamin De Graaf

Learn More

Benjamin De Graaf – DJ Elegance is a Downsview local and musical connoisseur/curator and experiential event strategist. DJ Elegance’s musical style incorporates a wide variety of styles from past to present mixed or blended to perfection and filled with a twist of musical experimentation. When he is not lighting up event spaces he is instructing/teaching new DJs through his successful DJ Academy or working with youth in schools and community using his arts based educational workshops (Love Music Initiative) to work with youth and make a difference www.lovemusicinitiative.com.

In partnership with:

Luminato Festival Logo

About Us

North York Arts (NYA)  collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities

Contact us 

North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8

info@northyorkarts.org

647-477-6059

Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Join Our Network

Grow North Microgrants

Grow North Microgrants

NYA Grow North Microgrants

North York Arts’ Grow North Microgrants fund artists based in North York to continue to develop their work and/or craft. The goal of these grants is to advance artists living in North York. As we desire to make this process as low-barrier as possible, these grants support a plethora of disciplines including, but not limited to: Indigenous arts, Disability arts, dance, literature, media arts, multi and inter-arts, music, theatre, visual arts, film.

This year’s funding can be used for the following eligible activities:

STREAM 1) Project Research & Creation

    • The artistic fees associated with the exploration and development of an artistic project or idea (research, exploration, and experimentation)
    • artist’s studio or workspace enhancements
    • **purchase of artist materials and supplies (brushes, dance shoes, self-tape equipment, etc)

**aspects of your activity that include the purchasing of equipment or other physical items cannot exceed 25% of your planned budget.

STREAM 2) Professional/Career Development

    • professional development and training (acting classes, consultation fees, certifications, etc.)
    • professional marketing and promotion (setting up a website to promote your art, new headshots, etc.)
    • mentorship (guidance or training by someone you are interested in working with, networking meetings, etc.)
    • software and hardware upgrades (purchasing video editing software, upgrading technology needed to engage with your craft, etc.)

Meet our 2023 Microgrant Recipients!

Brian Jiang

Discipline: Visual Arts

Meet Brian

Brian Jiang (they/she) is a queer trans multi-disciplinary artist of Chinese-descent based in Tkaronto. Their practice comprises of animation, illustration, painting, graphic design and beyond. As an artist collaborator working within the cultural sector, their arts-practice is informed by the love for their communities. Brian’s work draws upon mythology, the natural world, and lived experiences to explore the ties between identity, diasporic migration, kinship, and ecological connections. They have been commissioned by Pride Toronto, Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, Inside Out Film Festival, Maisonneauve Magazine, LinkedIn StreetARToronto and more. Their work can be found at @_brianjiang.

This microgrant will be used to create a series of paintings that explore the implications of “passing” through my lens as a trans racialized individual.

Jay-Marie Phillips: pothound

Discipline: Music

Meet pothound

Jay-Marie Phillips, known as pothound, is a Trinidadian-Canadian musician, producer, and artist. Her music spans electro-pop and acoustic indie soul, exploring themes of identity, solitude, and the clash of cultures. pothound’s debut record, Video Garden is a concept album, drawing on visual themes of neon noir, solarpunk, and urban jungles.

Jay’s practice is intertwined with identity and belonging as a queer, trans, Scarborough-born, Trinidadian-raised artist and organizer living in Toronto. Her work strives to find meaning in being an outcast. In 2020, Jay co-founded Cooler Fete, a queer Caribbean diaspora party, and is one of the resident DJs.

This microgrant will be used to help aid in the creation and development of visual elements for my debut project, Video Garden, using 3D animation and illustration.

Nailah Renuka

Discipline: Circus and Dance

Meet Nailah

Nailah Renuka is a circus and dance artist celebrated for her exceptional athleticism, curious spirit, and captivating stage presence. Her creative approach prioritizes interdisciplinary collaborations among diverse visual, musical, and movement-based art disciplines as well as between various circus disciplines like contortion, pole, and lyra. She weaves transitional patterns and evocative imagery into her work, channelling the full spectrum of human physicality and the intricacies of musicality in her explorations of what it means to be human. Most recently Nailah has worked with Les 7 Doigts as a pole artist in the creation of a new show.

This microgrant will fund 8-month contortion, hand-balancing, and acrodance training with Samantha Halas and Katelyn Ettinger to enhance skills, artistry, and receive mentorship in the circus industry.

Natalie Paton

Discipline: Writing and Filmmaking

Meet Natalie

Natalie Paton is a writer and filmmaker who tells stories about womanhood, immigration, generational relationships, Western society, and power dynamics. She loves calling the multicultural city of Toronto her home and is continuously inspired by her experiences and the experiences of those around her. Her work focuses on a mix of fiction and documentary with the goal of contextualizing the systems around us through character-driven stories.

This microgrant will be used largely to pay for location-based filming in North York, interviewing local residents, and renting equipment for filming dates (est. 4 days).

Yago Mesquita

Discipline: Theatre

Meet Yago

Yago Mesquita is an emerging, queer Brazilian-Canadian theatre artist from Toronto, ON. He is a playwright, performer, and producer with values of authenticity, care, connection, creativity, and fun grounding his artistic practice.

Yago creates character-driven work from a young, queer, first-generation Canadian lens, heavily informed by his experience and that of friends, family, and fellow artists. Yago is keen to push the boundaries of theatrical storytelling through highly imaginative, poetic, sensitive, and revealing multidisciplinary work that uses stylistic surreal elements that divorce itself from realism.

This microgrant will support a self-directed experimentation process within the context of ABfe47 to better understand its theatrical form, which is essential to ABfe47’s development.

FAQ

1. Can my project take place outside of North York?
We encourage you to seek out resources in North York for your project, but yes your project can take place outside of North York.

2. Why do you ask for demographic information?
North York Arts is strongly committed to equity and inclusion in our programs. With this in mind, we have set out specific programming goals in our strategic plan to better serve our communities.

We want to prioritize allocating funding to members of communities that have been historically marginalized. To ensure that we do so, we are collecting data on how our participants self-identify. This is optional and we appreciate your input.
That being said, we also understand that some artists may feel pressure to relate their applications back to the hardships of their marginalization. If that is not something that is true to your work or you don’t want to share, please do not feel obligated to include that information. We aim for you to feel uplifted and supported during this process and not that this process is an exploitation of identity.

3. What do you mean by “North York”?
Unsure if you live within the boundaries of North York? Please check if you are a resident of the following Ward Profiles:
6 – York Centre, 8 – Eglinton-Lawrence, 15 – Don Valley West, 16 – Don Valley East, 17 – Don Valley North, 18 – Willowdale
And M3N postal codes

4. How does Grow North define a “Professional Artist”?
A professional artist is someone who has developed their craft through formal training and/or equivalent practice; is recognized as such by fellow artists working in the same craft; actively practices and pursues their art; seeks payment for their work; and has a history of public presentation of their work.

5. I may end up needing more funding than I requested on my application- can Grow North provide me with additional funds?
No, Grow North does not have any additional funding to distribute out beyond what you were approved for, so please budget accordingly.

6. Will Grow North fund 100% of my activity costs?
Yes, Grow North will fund 100% of your activity costs. You are not expected to have any other sources of funding.
.
7. What makes a strong work plan?
A strong work plan is detailed and realistic. Please make sure to include all the activities that will make your project possible. This includes prep, delivery, budget and evaluation.

8. What criteria is used to evaluate applications?
Refer to the rubric here.

9. Who is on the jury?
The jury is composed of 6 members. 2 of the jury members are working artists and 4 who are representatives of North York Arts. Jasmine Vanstone, the project coordinator for the grants, will NOT be a member on the jury.

10. When will results be sent out?
Applicants will be notified about the results of their application in mid-late September.

11. What do you mean by “What is your relationship to North York”?
We want to understand how you relate to the North York community. Have you worked, lived, or played in North York and have rich memories and present ties to the neighbourhood? Do you have relationships or will be engaging community members or other artists in North York? Is your project inspired by North York? Although it is not mandatory to answer “yes” to the aforementioned questions, artists that clearly identify a strong relationship with North York will be given preference.

12. I’m not happy with the decision made about my application – can I appeal it?
No, decisions made by the Grow North grant jury are final. Where possible, we will make best efforts to provide jury’s comments and feedback. We welcome feedback on the application process by email to: info@northyorkarts.org

13. Why is this grant only available to ages 18-29?
In 2023, due to specific funding requirements the Microgrants will be supporting North York-based youth artists that are 18 to 29 years old. This may not be the case in future years.

Microgrant Application Tips

1) Set up a meeting with the program coordinator! Jasmine, our program coordinator, has allocated office hours until the deadline. There will be one-on-one and group office hours to talk through any questions you may have about the grant. She’s here to support you! If you don’t have time to set up a meeting with him, try to attend our information session on July 6th.

 2) Use simple language. Speak directly and passionately about your work and why you’re doing it. Don’t write formally or academically, you’re speaking to other artists on the jury. Write in your own voice and speak about your project with as much specificity as you can. The clearer you can be in articulating your goals, vision, activity, and how this funding is going to help you achieve it, the more successful you’ll be. 

3) Support materials matter. It can be very tough for jurors to assess art from just text in a grant application. This is where strong art-based support material can make a huge difference, because it can really illustrate the quality of your work. Good support material provides the jury a way to connect to your artistry in a more visceral way. If you are submitting support material, make sure all the files are of the highest quality. If you have a grainy video of you dancing, maybe opt out to submit the high quality pictures of you doing that same dance instead. 

4) Get feedback on your grant. When you’ve been working on an application for a few days, it can become very difficult to decipher whether your writing is communicating what you want it to communicate. Get a friend to read over your grant. Ask them if they understand your project and if they can spot any mistakes or gaps. Having a peer review your grant before submitting is one of the simplest ways to improve your grant writing. Also, offer to do the same for your friends, helping each other is vital!

5) Start early. As artists, we know how applying for grants last minute can make your life more hectic than it needs to be. We encourage you to start your application as early as possible. Especially when it comes to finding office hours with Jasmine or getting peer feedback on your grant, you will find folks much more helpful if you give them lots of time.

6) Save your answers in a separate document. Although Jotform allows you to save your answers if you make an account, we highly recommend you copy and paste the questions and answers into a separate document. This will ensure that your answers will not be lost…technology can be weird sometimes.

Meet our 2022 Microgrant Recipients!

Aalyaland

Discipline: Pottery and Ceramics

Meet Aalyaland

Aalyaland is a Pottery and ceramics Artist that will use the Grow North Micro Grant to create a ceramic art installation entitled “Vigilaunties” depicting tea cups with red flags –spilling the tea on toxic aunties that perpetuate patriarchal mindsets and societal norms through their behaviours towards people of all genders.

“First and foremost, my goal is to make people laugh because of how relatable and unfiltered this project is. Most South Asian womxn and non-binary folks I know have experienced toxic aunty behaviour. My hope is to create an art installation that people capture, share, and send to aunties via WhatsApp (the App that they most use to send forwards on to their peers).” – Aalyaland

 

Anaiah Lebreton

Discipline: Multimedia

Meet Anaiah

Anaiah Lebreton is a Multimedia Artist that will use the Grow North Micro Grant to create a music video – merging graphic design with music production and videography to an original song highlighting queer love. On the second slide, you can find examples of Anaiah’s past work featuring snippets from a collaborative zine “Youth In Revolt, Rookies With Friends.”

“This project is important to me because I see it as an opportunity to actualize a vision of powerful rebellious Queer people I often see missing from media spaces” – Anaiah Lebreton

Miguel Caba

Discipline: Visual Arts

Meet Miguel

Miguel Caba is a visual artist/painter that will use the Grow North Micro Grant towards research on the demolition of apartment housing in North York and the stories of the people that live there and then produce art objects based on that research.

“This subject is important to me because I have also experienced displacement in North York as the building I have lived in for my whole life was demolished to build new condos. I know that this is not an isolated experience since many buildings are pending demolition or have already been demolished in North York and in each of those buildings resides hundreds of people all with their own stories similar to mine about navigating displacement.” – Miguel Caba

Pierre Poussin

Discipline: Sculpture

Meet Pierre

Pierre Poussin is a large-scale sculptor that will use the Grow North Micro Grant to learn and refine his skills of digital-hand-sculpting, helping his concept development and fabrication processes become much more efficient.

“This activity is very important to me because it would allow me to bring my digital art-making processes and public art skills to the next level. I want to take the time to learn digital sculpting, because I will be able to use this newly-acquired skill within my public art practice. I will hopefully be able to digitally-sculpt just as effectively and efficiently as sculpting with clay.” – Pierre Poussin

Shan Fernando

Discipline: Theatre

Meet Shan

Shan Fernando is a theatre artist, who will use the Grow North Micro Grant to fund research and writing of a new play, in addition to paying for a playwriting workshop.

“My play is about an affluent Toronto family, the Austins, as they navigate mental health, addiction, and the acceptance of one’s sexuality”- Shan Fernando

Shanika Lewis Waddell

Discipline: Music

Meet Shanika

Musician Shanika Lewis-Waddel will use the Grow North Micro Grant to fund the creation of a new work mixing electronic/ambient/experimental music with steelpan.

“I am curious to incorporate styles/instruments/sounds that aren’t commonly heard together. With a goal of play, exploration, curiosity to see what new things can expand from these often separated genres…I plan to interview my 94 year old maternal grandfather who lived the majority of his life in Trinidad. I want to incorporate some of his stories into the music and let that guide the creation. I want this to be a project that allows me to learn more about him and Trinidad through his eyes.”- Shanika Lewis-Waddel

This program is supported by:

City of Toronto Logo

Mentor in Residence x Accessible Futures

Mentor in Residence x Accessible Futures

Mentor in Residence x Accessible Futures

We are excited to announce that North York Arts and the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Neighbourhood Arts Network are collaborating on the Mentor in Residence x Accessible Futures program.

This program will offer a professional development series, 4 dialogue sessions two-hour long presented online in the fall focused on increasing the capacity of non-disabled led organizations* to work with artists with disabilities/disabled artists and program staff. In addition to being able to attend one or multiple sessions, participating organizations and staff will have the opportunity to book free one-on-one consultation sessions to connect with mentors to support their organizational accessibility goals, frameworks, and advocacy. Registration for one-on-one sessions will be made available after the dialogue sessions.

 
Dialogue Sessions:

Sept 15, 2022 from 3pm to 5pm
Disability Justice for Organizations
Dev Ramsawakh, Pree aka Sticky Mangos, and Wy Joung Kou
Guided discussion co-led by NAN and NYA
Accessibility: CART

Sept 22, 2022 from 3pm to 5pm
Disability Justice Journeys Sharing Circles
Jumblies Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, and National Creation Fund
Moderated by Shay Erlich
Accessibility: ASL interpreters Latasha Lennox and Rogue Benjamin
CART

Sept 29, 2022 from 3pm to 5pm
All About Accessibility Baseline
Gaitrie  
Accessibility: ASL interpreters
CART

Oct 6, 2022 from 3pm to 5pm
Race and Disability Justice for Organizations
Natasha “Courage” Bacchus and Sivert Das
Moderated by Alia Ettiene
Accessibility: ASL interpreters Latasha Lennox and Kimberley Johnson
CART

Each organization is offered 2 spots for staff or board members per session. Spots are limited and are first come first serve.

*All organizations are welcome and invited to participate should the series topics be of interest.

Meet our Mentors & Moderators:

Dev Ramsawakh

(they/he)

Meet Dev

Dev Ramsawakh is a disabled and non-binary multidisciplinary storyteller and producer. They were the 2019 TVO Short Docs Contest winner and their short films have been screened at CaribbeanTales Film Festival, Inside Out Film Festival, Toronto Queer Film Festival, and ReelAbilities Film Festival, among others. Their work has been published on Chatelaine, CBC, them, Xtra, and other publications. They’re included in the Disability Visibility anthology edited by Alice Wong and have fiction in the anthologies Two Times Removed and Toronto 2033. They also write poetry and facilitate workshops independently and with CRIP Collective around disability justice, storytelling, and more. 

Pree aka Sticky Mangos

(they/them)

Meet Pree

Pree (they/them) is an artist educator currently based in Tkaronto, originally from Tiohtià:ke. They’re a child of immigrant settlers from Panjab. Pree’s work is an ode to their extended youth as a trans and non-binary person, and create art for their inner child. Their main medium is watercolour, but Pree also embroiders, creates short films, writes and performs drag. They have an interdisciplinary arts practice under the name: Sticky Mangos. Pree’s online shop has been featured in CBC, Xtra magazine, and BlogTo. Their art has been featured in Luminato Arts Festival, Design TO festival and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Wy Joung Kou

(all pronouns)

Meet Wy J

Wy Joung Kou is an interdisciplinary artist, based in Treaty 13 Territory (Toronto), with a practice rooted in frameworks of disability justice. Their body of work spans mosaic, poetry, sound, movement, performance, video, and installation, and their educational trajectory as a professional artist has followed a path combining mentorship and community-models of learning & skill exchange. Kou is the Associate Artistic Director of ReDefine Arts, a performing member of Raging Asian Womxn Taiko Drummers, the inaugural winner of the 2018 JRG Grant for Artists with Disabilities, and an ILGBT Artist Residency alum.

www.wyjoungkou.com 

Shay Erlich

(they/them)

Meet Shay

Shay Erlich is a hard of hearing, multiply disabled, and genderqueer child and youth care practitioner, wheelchair dancer, and circus artist. Shay holds a MA degree in Child and Youth Care from X University. Shay is the co-founder of The Cyborg Circus Project, is a trans and disability led arts collective offering arts education, performance and social support to disabled young people aged 16-35 in Canada, centred in the Greater Toronto Area. Shay has also worked on dance and performance projects with a number of organizations including Political Movement, Theatre Passe Muraille, Jumblies Theatre, and Spur of the Moment Shakespeare Collective.

Furthermore, Shay has extensive experience working as an accessibility consultant in many settings including academic, artistic, and frontline services. They have spent the last ten years advocating for better inclusion and services for young people with disabilities, and currently work as an independent consultant assisting frontline service organizations and arts institutions in creating more accessible programs and productions for the diverse people that they work with through their business Shay Erlich Consulting. Shay also provides training and support for frontline practitioners who wish to improve their practice with disabled clients. Shay strongly believes in a social justice and disability rights approach within a child and youth care relational context. Shay’s vision for the future is one where disabled people have the support and resources that they need to thrive, and to fully participate in all areas of their lives, without having to constantly fight for resources.

Natasha “Courage” Bacchus

(she/her)

Meet Natasha

I am Natasha Cecily Bacchus. I am an athlete and interdisciplinary visual artist, passionate about deaf advocacy, fitness and physical expression. Throughout my life, I have nurtured my passion for fitness competing as a professional athlete and securing medal positions in the Deaf Olympics, Pan Am  Olympics and many other competitive sporting events. As an actress, I have participated in numerous theatre and film productions and have a strong desire to continue to grow and develop as a performing artist, expanding representation to include differently-abled persons and empowering Black Deaf women in Canada to shine on and off the stage.

Sivert Das

(he/him)

Meet Sivert

Sivert Das is a biracial, visibly, and invisibly disabled immigrant actor, voiceover artist, writer, musician, comedian, and activist based in Toronto. He a University of Victoria’s performance program and the Second City Conservatory graduate. He is the first physically disabled person of color to graduate from those programs. He has worked all over Canada as an actor. He has worked with Realwheels theatre, The Citadel Theatre, Second City, Bad Dog Theatre, Exitstageleft Productions, Workman Arts and the Phoenix Theatre. He has written two plays, “My Right Arm” “Zordon” .the former was read as part of Realwheels programming and the latter has been supported by grants from Cahoots Theatre and Theatre Passe Muraille. His writing has also been published by Intermission magazine. His work combines the absurd and the fantastical mixed with poignant social commentary. His activism focuses on raising awareness for Disabled and BIPOC communities. He is grateful to be part of this process.

Alia Ettiene

(she/her)

Meet Alia

Alia Ettienne is a theatre writer, actor, performer and facilitator from Toronto, ON. Initially, she studied Performance at Sheridan College, moving on to explore Creative Writing and Arts Marketing. Her first solo piece, YellowZoned, premiered in The 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival and her creative wellness program, Chill N Do Art, has been running for a total of four years. Currently, she is most focused on The Creative Coping Kits Initiative, and writing her second full length piece Allow For Release: The Xiety Complex.

Jocelyn

(she/her)

Meet Jocelyn

Jocelyn is a performing artist who is proud to return home to Canada. After studying at American Musical & Dramatic Academy (AMDA) and New School University in NYC, Jocelyn became involved with creating accessible theatre. From volunteering for TDF Autism Friendly Performances, directing pieces for Sign&Sing (Deaf & Opera performers sharing the stage), to teaming up with Drag Story Hour, Jocelyn is looking to expand inclusive art opportunities by sharing her learn knowledge and personal experiences. She has been advocating with award winning disability groups (CIDNY in New York City and Canadian Hearing Services in Toronto), she has developed a wide range of skills with the goal of achieving access for all in creative industries. Additionally, Jocelyn continues to perform in a myriad of projects with voiceover work, the latest being artist informational videos for Deaf Spectrum. She also has become inspired learning from other artists through the pandemic in different practices and now creates watercolours and ink illustrations.

Gaitrie Persaud

(she/her)

Meet Gaitrie

Gaitrie Persaud, a Torontian, lives and breathes acting and that is reflected in her amazing identity. She has been breaking down barriers to have AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION provided at music concerts. She has won Air Canada Center’s and CBC entertainment’s attention. Gaitrie is a firm
believer in creating opportunities for the Deaf Community and young deaf children. She has been in BLUE’S CLUES & YOU as Camila, the Deaf librarian and also, she is the NEWS ANCHOR for SIGNS1 News powered by CNN. She owns a theatre hub which is called PHOENIX THE FIRE. Her company provides ASL INTERPRETATION service, workshops, the plays and many more.

Her creation strives to increase the overall impact to provide the excitement of adventure to the deaf/hard hearing Community with the musical/theatre by ASL interpretations.

Proudly supported by:

About Us

North York Arts (NYA)  collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities

Contact us 

North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8

info@northyorkarts.org

647-477-6059

Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Join Our Network

With Love, North York

With Love, North York

With Love, North York

Empty heading

Six Community Centres. Six Artists. Lots of Love.

 

With Love, North York is a community art project produced by North York Arts.

Throughout Winter 2022 and Spring 2023, six new visual arts pieces were created across six community centres in North York, by local North York-based artists.

Artists engaged with their respective community centres to create an artwork that channels the values, members, and essence of each community. This project was designed to acknowledge the land we are privileged to live, work, and create on, as well as to celebrate 100 years of the incorporation of the Township of North York. North York Arts is lucky to serve and honour this community through public art.

We acknowledge the millenia-long history of these lands, its peoples and its history. We are honoured to foster arts and culture on the traditional lands of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, Haudenosaunee, and the Mississaugas of the Credit River, or what is known today by many as North York.

Community Builders
Bryan Taguba
Acrylic Paint on Stretch Canvas

Roding Community Centre
600 Roding St – M3M 2A5
York Centre, Ward 6

About Community Builders

The piece aims to portray the interconnectedness of our cultures, our past, and our current realities through the usage of communication lines borrowed from the Woodland Style of Native Canadian Art. As part of a diverse and multicultural community largely being made up of working class families and people, we have a collective role in creating and sustaining a culture of care, inclusivity, decolonization and empowerment. ‘Community Builders’ is inspired by everyday working people who serve our communities, the promise of the future generation and the idea that together we can shape a future that is truly equitable and cognizant of our wants and needs.
– Bryan Taguba

Windows of Opportunity
Marg Cresswell – Murals by Marg
Acrylic Paint on Bending Plywood

North Toronto Memorial Community Centre
200 Eglinton Ave West – M4R 1A7
Eglinton Lawrence, Ward 8

About Windows of Opportunity

The illusion of trompe l’oeil offers the chance of discovery, to perceive all the details inside and escaping the illusion in my murals. I aim not to deceive, but to reveal the illusion. This meeting place, between the real thing and the painted thing, brings the viewer to the edge of illusionism, only to assert that the reality is the paint.

Although the deception may appear only momentarily, it is an instant of being deceived. And once the illusion has dissolved, what remains will be the painting all on its own and draw in the viewer to spend time exploring all the details and visual delights each mural has to offer.
– Marg Cresswell

Community Love
Yasaman Mehrsa
Digital Artwork printed on Vinyl Banner

Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre
48 Thorncliffe Park Drive – M4H1J7
Don Valley West, Ward 15

About Community Love

Inspired by the theme of community, this vibrant mural showcases love, support, and a sense of belonging between the community members, the neighbourhood, and the Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre. People of all gender, ages, and backgrounds come together, share their interests, and interact with others. This mural is a representation of the people of a community that live, work, study, play, and grow together.
-Yasaman Mehrsa

Dreamers
Melisa Sofi
Digital Artwork printed on Vinyl Banner

Dennis R Timbrell Resource and Community Centre
29 St Dennis Dr – M3C 3J3
Don Valley East, Ward 16

About Dreamers

This portraits series showcases a group of kids with diverse interests and styles.They all carry birds with them that can be interpreted as companions, symbolic of those who have found a home among the generosity of others.
– Melisa Sofi

Window into Oriole
Serene Chan – Serene Illustrations
Digital Artwork printed on Vinyl Banner

Oriole Community Centre
2975 Don Mills Road – M2J 3B7
Don Valley North, Ward 17

About Window into Oriole

This painting depicts a brick wall with 4 arches acting as windows looking into some of the community’s favorite activities. Each image showcases a different scenery that slightly reaches outside of the arch frame, portraying the activity almost coming to life. All four windows are connected with a white banner written with words that the community members used to describe the Oriole community centre: Diversity, Creativity, Teamwork, Community, Passion, and Family. This image ties together the heart of what Oriole represents: a community that prioritizes physical and creative activities in a family friendly environment.

– Serene Chan

Community Vibe
Laura Yang
Digital Artwork printed on Vinyl Banner

Edithvale Community Centre
131 Finch Ave W – M2N 2H8
Willowdale, Ward 18

About Community Vibe

This mural design is a colorful and lively representation of the diverse cultures and ages that make up our community. It celebrates the different ethnic groups and the wide range of activities that take place within the center, including pottery, music, basketball, snooker, etc. This design conveys the passion and vibrancy of the community, showcasing the many ways people come together to create a home for everyone. Overall, the mural will be a testament to the power of community and how it can help people flourish and thrive.
-Laura Yang

Meet the Artists

Bryan Taguba

York Centre - Roding Community Centre

Meet Bryan

Bryan Taguba is a painter, photographer, community organizer and activist with the Magkaisa Centre. He was born in the Philippines and came to Canada at age 9. His mother worked as a caregiver in Toronto. He works as an artist facilitator and teacher in various programs for “at-risk” youth in Toronto. He has worked on several city funded mural projects across Ontario and has led facilitation and advising for Magkaisa Centre’s “Maleta Stories” Arts and Culture Project, exhibited in 2010, 2012 and 2015. Inspired by the pedagogical framework outlined by Paolo Freire that centres the perspectives of everyday working people, Bryan strives to use the visual arts as a tool for consciousness building, community building, and social transformation.

Laura Yang

Willowdale - Edithvale Community Centre

Meet Laura

Laura is a Chinese-Canadian illustrator and designer who loves to use colorful aesthetics and compelling storytelling to convey messages and ideas. Her work explores human emotions, feminist values, and cultural diversity, with the hope of establishing personal connections with audiences and fostering community building. As a multidisciplinary artist, she is passionate about using dynamic figures and creative forms to cherish all the meaningful things and moments in her life.

Margaret Cresswell

Eglinton Lawrence - North Toronto Memorial Community Centre

Meet Margaret

Marg is an award-winning muralist who spent her final year of study in Florence, Italy and graduated from the Ontario College of Art, in 1994. Over 20 years ago she began working as a muralist and, after requests for commissions, she opened her own studio, Murals By Marg, in 2001. In 2007, Marg was invited to exhibit her large-scale paintings at the Biennale Internazionale Dell’Arte Contempranea in Florence, Italy. Since 2015, she has painted over three dozen public art murals in the City of Toronto. In 2017, she was awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the House of Commons for her mural in Richmond Hill as part of Canada’s 150th Anniversary. Marg continues to exhibit her paintings and has works in private and public collections in Canada, the USA and France.

Melisa Sofi

Don Valley East - Dennis R Timbrell Resource and Community Centre

Meet Melisa

Melisa Sofi is an Albanian-Canadian cross disciplinary artist based in North York. She is a recent Illustration graduate from OCAD University. Inspired by themes of identity, interpersonal relationships and the creative process, her work often blurs the line between narrative and documentary.

Yasaman Mehrsa

Don Valley West - Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre

Meet Yasaman

Yasaman Mehrsa is a Toronto-based visual artist. Born and raised in Tehran/Iran, she got exposed to art from a young age. She completed her studies with a Bachelor of Visual Communication in Iran and later achieved Bachelor with honours in Visual Arts from Brock University in St. Catharines/Canada. Yasaman uses both digital and traditional mediums.

Yasaman’s work is often representative of awareness of the human-nature relationship. She believes that nature is both all around us and deep within us. Inspiring by nature, she creates storytelling arts and expresses different emotions in each of them to inspire her audiences to discover their imagination, feeling, and interaction with the natural environment.

Serene Chan

Don Valley North - Oriole Community Centre

Meet Serene

I am a Chinese-Canadian creative and an expert daydreamer, who utilizes my passion in storytelling to produce digital and traditional imagery that provokes child-like wonder and captures nostalgia. My work draws on my interest in mental health, East Asian history and mythology, and all things fantasy. I strive to create awareness in the beauty of Asian cultures and otherwise marginalized communities. Alongside my art, my versatile background includes my academic education in business and years of entrepreneurial experience exemplified in three of my start-up businesses. When I’m not painting, you can find me working with my hands- sewing, making resin crafts, and thrift flipping.

Proudly supported by:

North York Arts logo

About Us

North York Arts (NYA)  collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities

Contact us 

North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8

info@northyorkarts.org

647-477-6059

Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Join Our Network

Around Art & Land

Around Art & Land

Around Art & Land

NYA is a proud partner of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art!

The year of Public Art has chosen the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action as the main theme for the next 10 years of art programs/exhibitions in the city. Western knowledge is based on an egocentric model while Indigenous peoples have the land as the epicentre of everything they do. After visiting Downsview Park and its hub, we realized that there are a lot of opportunities to connect to the land by curating a series of activations that will happen from April 2022 to October 2022.

We are delighted to present to you a series of intergenerational programs that respond to the needs of the Land to acknowledge it, celebrate it and also commit to it. We all as human beings play a role in the climate change crisis and as artists, we also need to be mindful of the waste we create while creating art.

North York Arts celebrates communities, artists inspire us and the land allows us to be able to share it with all! Every creation of the land is a piece of art itself, for that reason, we have called our core programs for ArtworxTO Around Art and Land.

image graphic for i-talks

We hope you can join us for any of the following programs:

   an icon of a spray can  We CAN do it

  an icon of a sketchbook   Around my Words

  an icon of two people dancing Let’s Dance!

  an icon of a branch with many leaves  What is Around is Alive

  an icon of a kite   Elevating my Dreams

We CAN do it:

growing healthy relations with the land –

Community Interactive Art Installation

In this activation, participants will be invited to paint empty spray cans that will culminate in an exhibition taking place at the Downsview Hub.

In partnership with Juan Cajiao, participants will paint images on each spray can with the theme of environment in mind, and will consider ways to recycle and repurpose some of the daily objects around us that directly harm the environment. Each can will also have a message for Mother Earth and a personal commitment to the environment from each participant. 

Once all cans are painted and all messages are written, the empty spray cans will be exhibited in a tree formation at the Downsview Hub, where visitors will be encouraged to see the cans and to consider their own commitments and wishes for the environment. 

an icon of a spray can

Schedule

Painting Cans Activation
Saturday, July 9 from 10 am to 4 pm

Exhibition Launch
Thursday, August 11th from 5 pm to 6:30 pm

Exhibition Hours Thursday August 11th to Sunday October 2nd: 

Wednesday to Friday: 11 am to 7 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 12 pm to 5 pm

Location

Painting Cans: Downsview Hub – 70 Canuck Ave

Exhibition: Downsview Hub – 70 Canuck Ave

Meet your Artist:

Juan Cajiao

Born in Colombia, raised in the US and now living in Canada, Juan has been an artist from the day he was born. He grew up painting and drawing, took his passion to the next level by studying Industrial Design and Architecture, he then applied his creativity in the advertising world for many years, he then quit his corporate job to pursue his dream of being a stand up comedian.

Juan now has done over 500 shows in 12 countries and co-founded MalPensando, a bi-lingual comedy club and school that empowers people to become confident and funny speakers.

Parallel to his comedy business, Juan is also an artist who’s done commissioned work (paintings & drawings) that are currently exhibited in 5 countries. Juan also started a new art brand called @ArtedByJuan which aims to make any object (chairs, shows, jackets, teapots… anything) into a unique art piece.

Juan has a variety of workshops, from public speaking & comedy, to free-hand drawing & painting.

Juan will always combine art and comedy in everything he does.

Connect:

@juan_cajiao | @artedbyjuan | @malpensando

Around my Words

During this activation, participants will have the opportunity to work in collaboration with spoken word poet Patrick Walters to create a series of poems around the theme of nature and their commitment to the land. Then they will collaborate with visual artist Paddy Leung to embed those poems into wooden crates. Participants will be provided with individual crates they can take home while collaborating on the creation of one of the installation components of the Community Interactive Art Exhibition, We CAN do it!

DATES

COHORT I

Spokenword Component led by Patrick Walters

● Tuesday, August 2, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
● Tuesday, August 9, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Visual Component led by Paddy Leung
● Wednesday, August 17, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
● Wednesday, August 24, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

COHORT II
Spokenword Component led by Patrick Walters
● Thursday, August 4, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
● Thursday, August 11, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Visual Component led by Paddy Leung
● Thursday, August 18, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
● Thursday, August 25, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Deadline to apply:
 Sunday, July 31st, 2022
Spots Available: 24 (12 participants per cohort)
Venue: Downsview Park (70 Canuck Ave.)

NOTE:
Lunch, snacks, and light refreshments will be provided.
Community and volunteer hours are also available upon request.
TTC will be available for participants.
Certifications of participation will be also given to participants.

For any questions or if you need assistance to fill out this application please email Julián Carvajal, julian@northyorkarts.org 

Let’s Dance!

Get ready to move your body! During this program, Mafa Dance Village (@mafadancevillage.ca) and Capoeira Bamba Toronto, (@bamabtoronto)  will teach participants the basic fundamentals of South African Beats and Capoeira! These sessions will be fun, interactive, and high-energy as you’ll learn some new moves, kicks, and escapes to music.

While these workshops are open to all, some movements in the Capoeira workshop may be challenging to those with limited mobility.  This program is for ALL ages. 

an icon of two people dancing

Schedule

Sundays, May 15 & 22

11:00 am to 12:00 pm | South-African Beats

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | Capoeira Dance

Location

Downview Park Orchard Location HERE

Meet your Instructors:

Mafa Makhubalo

Movement poet trained in folk forms from the Regions of African tradition, African contemporary, and Western-Contemporary. Mafa Dance Village is influenced by an understanding of dance as an accumulation of memory and the history of my culture. Dance is an invisible evolution that becomes visible through movement, music, and singing.

Connect: To learn more about Mafa, visit mafadancevillage.ca

Capoeira Bamba

Capoeira Bamba is Toronto’s 7X award winning Capoeira School. Capoeira is an Afro Brazilian Martial Art that incorporates Martial Arts, Acrobatics, Music, Dance and Culture all in one! From Kicks to Flips, this Martial Art has it all!
We take great pride in educating our community about the Afro-Brazilian culture and Martial Art. We are Toronto’s only full time Capoeira Academy hosting classes for Minis, Kids and Adults of all ages. We are also a performance team, performing Capoeira, and other Afro-Brazilian cultural dances for audiences and events of all sizes all over the GTA.

Connect: To learn more about Capoeira Bamba, visit bambatoronto.com

Capoeira Bamba - Mississauga

Join us on Sunday May 20th to dance with Mike Pulga of @bambamississauga!

Capoeira Bamba is Toronto’s 7X award winning Capoeira School. Capoeira is an Afro Brazilian Martial Art that incorporates Martial Arts, Acrobatics, Music, Dance and Culture all in one! From Kicks to Flips, this Martial Art has it all!
We take great pride in educating our community about the Afro-Brazilian culture and Martial Art. We are Toronto’s only full time Capoeira Academy hosting classes for Minis, Kids and Adults of all ages. We are also a performance team, performing Capoeira, and other Afro-Brazilian cultural dances for audiences and events of all sizes all over the GTA.

Connect: To learn more about Capoeira Bamba, visit bambatoronto.com

 

What is Around is Alive

In this two-part activation, participants will first be invited to tour Downsview Park by foot with Alan Colley of Toronto Aboriginal Eco Tours, then will create inspired illustrations and photographs from the walk. Together with Alan Colley, participants will discover and observe the local flora and fauna, and leave with a newfound understanding for all that is alive around us. Art pieces created during the session will be displayed publicly in the Downsview Hub, unless participants would prefer to take them home to display there instead!

Schedule

Saturday, June 4 | 10 am to 1 pm

Saturday, June 18 | 10 am to 1 pm & 3 pm to 6 pm

Location

Walking Tour: Downsview Park – Meet at the Orchard Pavillion

Art Creation: Downsview Hub – 70 Canuck Ave

 

Meet your Instructor:

 

 

Alan Colley - Toronto Aboriginal Eco Tours

Toronto Aboriginal Eco Tours has been a passion and dream of mine for a long time.

I have designed a company which honors our traditional way of life – but also allows for mainstream concepts of tourism and experiential learning.

I believe we are at the point in history where we are able to teach and share with the next generations how to have a sustainable relationship with the environment. This is the focus of Toronto Aboriginal Eco Tours.

My goal is to bring together our beautiful community in a way that allows elders, adults, youth and children to connect and make a difference with actions based on the ground principles of the 7 Grandfather Teachings, 13 Grandmother Moon Teachings and Medicine Wheel Teachings.

I am looking forward to sharing information regarding history, the plants, the animals, the fish and the insects so that we can start looking at a healthy future that we are planting seeds for in the present.

Every time a participant resonates with a teaching provided on our tours, the Indigenous knowledge of my ancestors and the ancestors of all Aboriginal peoples is honored because it has a chance to expand into future generations.

Those who had no idea of the sustainable lifestyles and understanding that the First Peoples of what is now Toronto had, can carry with them a new connection to the natural world they live in – even if it is surrounded by a concrete jungle.

I hope to meet and share cultural understandings and environmental respect while also learning something new from each and every participant of a Toronto Aboriginal Eco Tour!

Elevating my Dreams

In this activation, participants will create kites with messages that they would like to share with all flying creatures. By incorporating different upcycled materials, and applying the R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) each participant will create an environmentally friendly artwork that can fly through the sky.  Participants will be encouraged to fly their kites at home after the activation and share photos and videos on social media!

Schedule

Saturdays, July 9, 16, 23 | 11 am to 12:30 pm

Location

Downsview Hub – 70 Canuck Ave

Meet your Instructor:

Orfelina Millán

I am an environmental artist and creator/facilitator of an eco-friendly community art program for children, Orfe Eco Art Program. My passion for art, environmentalism, and community engagement, along with my arts education experience with the TCDSB and the TDSB, have strengthened my motivation to engage young people in protecting the earth through participatory community arts.

Orfe EcoArt Program is a social enterprise that aims to stimulate creativity and environmental responsibility in children and youth through its ecological art program, understanding that a creative mind and responsible attitude are key to becoming an active member of society and contributing to the health and safety of one’s community.

Connect:

Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Website

About Us

North York Arts (NYA)  collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities

Contact us 

North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8

info@northyorkarts.org

647-477-6059

Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Join Our Network