YES (Youth Engagement Scarborough) is an exciting new grant program designed to empower youth to lead dynamic, community-driven arts projects in Scarborough! Through this program, you'll receive funding to cover project costs, one-on-one mentorship from a working artist, and hands-on project management training. If you're a passionate young leader eager to inspire and connect with your community through art, this is your chance!
The program will culminate in an exciting YES Showcase, where you’ll have the opportunity to share your project with an audience in a way that is meaningful to you and your community.
What Kind of Projects Does YES Support?
For their inaugural cohort, the YES program looking for writers! If you have a story idea or a creative project you've been dreaming about, this program will give you the funding and mentorship to bring it to life—all while collaborating with and engaging other youth.
YES supports youth-led arts projects that incorporate themes of sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity. In the writing cohort, we are looking for poets, storytellers, playwrights, and other literary artists whose work engages the community and fellow artists. Projects that can be executed within a one-month period are ideal.
Note: The writing stream is for writing projects, community engagement through writing, and the writing stage of other mediums like theatre and film. Performance and digital media streams will open later this year for projects in those mediums.
What You Get
A grant between $1,000 – $5,000 to fund your project
Mentorship from a professional artist
Hands-on project management and creative training sessions
A chance to engage your community & connect with other young artist leaders
A showcase to share your artistic project
Timeline
Applications Close: March 21st, 2025 @ 11:59 PM
Program Orientation: Monday, April 14, 2025 (Evening)
Showcase: Saturday, May 31, (All Day)
Who Can Apply?
Youth (ages 15-30) with a connection to Scarborough
Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and youth with a granted refugee status
Arts-based projects that engage multiple youth in the community
No prior professional writing or project management experience needed- just passion and creativity!
Priority will be given to: Indigenous youth, Visible minority/racialized youth, Youth with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ youth, Newcomer youth, Youth from official language minority communities, Youth living in rural or remote areas, Youth from low-income households
Click here to watch a recording of the info session!
Not sure if you qualify? Have any questions? Email program manager Ganesh Thava at outreach@guildfestivaltheatre.ca ✉️