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2024-25 DesignTO Youth - Call for Submissions

DESIGNTO Youth ‘Story Story’

‘Story Story’ is the sixth edition of DesignTO Youth, a program that provides youth with access to creative disciplines and professionals. This workshop series will consist of 5 virtual sessions of group activities geared at exploring storytelling through art and design.

With a combination of artist talks, interactive discussions and creative exercises, participating youth will be prompted to consider how narratives are constructed through different mediums. 5 virtual sessions will highlight the power to be found in telling small stories, how and where to find them, and the unconventional ways through which they can be shared. Through this experience, youth can expect to receive meaningful input on how to develop their unique voices and turn their personal experiences into compelling works of art and design.


DesignTO, in partnership with JAYU and ArtReach, invites you to apply to this FREE program to help enhance your creative process, inspire your creation, develop skills, and build an application for the exhibition opportunity.


Application Deadline: Rolling deadline, with final applications due September 6, 2024 at 11:59pm ET. Read the program guidelines below to learn more about "Story Story" and click here to apply!


Exhibition Opportunity

Participants in the ‘Story Story’ workshop series are invited to apply to present the narratives they have developed through the program in a group exhibition that will be featured as part of the 15th annual DesignTO Festival, January 24-February 2, 2025. This exhibition will be held at a gallery in Toronto.

NOTE: Participation in the workshop program does not guarantee your participation in the exhibition. Only a selection of exhibition applicants will be successful. All youth in the program are invited to apply.


Workshop Program Details

We invite applications from youth artists, designers, and creatives aged 18 to 29 working in all mediums and formats. No prior experience is necessary.The workshops series will take place on Tuesdays: September 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2024 from 5:30-7:30pm. They are 2 hours each week online, plus 1 optional in-person networking meet-up with fellow participants.


Eligibility:

  • No prior art or design experience is necessary.

  • Must be between the ages of 18-29 at the time of application.

  • Must be a resident of Ontario.

  • Must commit to attending each online session for the full 2 hours each week.


Benefits: 

  • 5 online sessions with fantastic guest artists and speakers.

  • 1 optional in-person networking meet-up.

  • Meet new people in an accessible, inclusive online environment.

  • Get access to apply for paid opportunities, including being hired with JAYU as a junior mentor for future iAM workshops and added to their artist roster upon completion of the program.

  • Get access to an opportunity to apply to show your work in a group exhibition during the DesignTO Festival in January 2025.


All submissions should include the following:

  • Your contact info (name, email, phone number, mailing address), and website URL (if available); and

  • Why you’re interested in participating in this residency program (required, max. 150 words).


Deadlines

All submissions are due Friday, September 6, 2024 by 11:59pm ET.


NOTE: Your application does not confirm your spot in the program. Applicants will be admitted on a first-come-first-serve basis. There is a limited number of spots available so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. All successful applicants will receive an email confirmation accepting them into the program.


FAQ

How much does it cost to submit?

There is no fee for this submission or for participating in the workshop program.


What happens next?

Eligible applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program on a rolling basis by September 13, 2024.


Questions?

Email questions to DesignTO Programs Coordinator adé abegunde at ade@designto.org and JAYU iAM Program Manager Desiree Mckenzie at desiree@jayu.ca.

 

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