ArtReach Toronto is a program designed to support arts initiatives that engage youth who have experienced exclusion in under-served areas of Toronto. A guiding principle for ArtReach Toronto is the idea that funding needs to be accessible to youth directly and it needs to empower youth by placing ownership of projects in their hands. ArtReach Toronto encourages youth to take the lead in defining what art means to them and what they need from the program to achieve their goals. In addition to funding, ArtReach Toronto provides capacity building initiatives that aim to strengthen the community of young artists working towards social change in Toronto. Examples include grant writing supports for young people applying to the fund, mentorship for youth and groups that are provided with funding, as well as free monthly workshops on different topics of interest as part of the GOAL Youth Capacity Building Workshop Series. The Funders’ Collaborative (FC) that developed ArtReach Toronto remains supportive and continues their participation as part of the Founding Members’ Group. Special thanks go to Laidlaw Foundation and the FC for all their contributions. The Founding Members’ Group includes: Canada Council for the Arts Recognition goes to Toronto Community Housing for their role in the development of ArtReach Toronto.
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