2026 ArtWorksTO Youth Program Application Form

2026 ArtWorksTO Youth Program Application Form

DEADLINE: MARCH 2, 2026
- Please read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section in the ArtWorksTO website to make sure you're eligible to apply to this program.
- Please read the FAQ section to make sure that you have the availability to commit to complete the program (minimum time requirement - 6 months.)
- If you need assistance with developing your creative portfolio please view this example.
- Complete the checklist at the end of the form to ensure your submission is complete. Incomplete applications will not be assessed.
- To access information about the program, and about the application process please email the Program Manager, Norma Garcia: norma@torontoarts.org
* Eligibility to Apply *
Please choose one of the following options*

My primary residence has a postal code that begins with the letter 'M'My primary residence DOES NOT have a postal code beginning with the letter 'M'
Please enter your primary residence's postal code*
Postal code starting with M.
This program is only open to residents of the City of Toronto (not GTA.) If you do not live in the city of Toronto, but would like to discuss applying to the ArtWorksTO Youth Program please contact the program manager, Norma Garcia at norma@torontoarts.org Please reach out to Norma at least one week ahead of the application deadline.

This program is only open to BIPOC youth aged 18 to 29. You must be 29 years old at the time of the application deadline.

If you meet this requirement, please proceed with completing this application.

If you would like to discuss this program eligibility requirement please contact the ArtWorksTO Youth Program Manager at norma@torontoarts.org
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear

1. APPLICANT INFORMATION
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Pronouns
Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Email*
example@example.com
Were you invited to apply to the ArtWorksTO Youth Program by any of the following organizations? (select all that apply)*

Neighbourhood Arts NetworkCity of TorontoThe Remix ProjectOCAD UimagineNATIVESKETCHOYACreatoEva’s Graphic Communications ProgramPOVJAYUToronto Youth Partnerships and Employment (TYPE) ProgramArtWorksTO Advisory MemberPrevious ArtWorksTO participant (alumni)Reel AsianFlaunt it MovementNOOther
2. ACCESS & EQUITY

ArtWorksTO Youth is a program designed for IBPOC youth. To help ensure the program is accessed by those it was designed for, please let us know how you identify. Please refer to the FAQ to understand why we are asking for this information, and how it will be used.
Gender identity is the gender that people identify with or how they perceive themselves, which may be different from their sex assigned at birth. What best describes your gender? Select all that apply:*

Woman/girlTwo-SpiritMan/boyGender non-binary (including gender fluid, genderqueer, androgynous)Prefer not to answerOther
Do you identify with the gender assigned at birth?:*

YESNOPrefer not to answer
Were you born in Canada? Please select ONE option only*

YESNOPrefer not to answer
If you were NOT born in Canada, how long have you been in Canada? Please select ONE option only:

0-5 years6-10 years10+ yearsI don't knowPrefer not to answer
If you were not born in Canada, what country were you born in?
Indigenous people from Canada identify as First Nations (status, non-status, treaty, or non-treaty), Inuit, Métis, Aboriginal, Native, or Indian. Do you identify as Indigenous to Canada? Please select all that apply:*

YES - First Nations (i.e. Cree, Mi'kmaq, Mohawk, Ojibway)YES - InuitYES - MetisNO
Please share your story with us! Where you came from, how you are connected to your community or communities, lived experiences as an Indigenous person etc.
If you have access to supporting documents for your Indigenous identification, please upload them here. This could be a Métis Nation Citizenship card, Status Card, Band ID, Inuit enrolment card etc.

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People often describe themselves by their race or racial background. For example, some people consider themselves "Black", "White" or "East Asian". Which race category best describes you? Please select ONE option only:*

Arab, Middle Eastern or West Asian (i.e. Afghan, Armenian, Iranian, Lebanese, Persian, Turkish)Black (i.e. African, African- Canadian, Afro-Caribbean)East Asian (i.e. Chinese, Japanese, Korean)Latin American (i.e. Brazilian, Colombian, Cuban, Mexican, Peruvian)South Asian or Indo-Caribbean (i.e. Indian, Indo-Guyanese, Indo-Trinidadian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan)White (i.e. English, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, etc) NOTE: applicants must self-identify as IBPOC to be eligible for ArtWorksTOSoutheast Asian (i.e. Filipino, Malaysian, Singaporean, Thai, Vietnamese)More than one race category or mixed racePrefer not to answerOther
Disability is understood as any physical, mental, developmental, cognitive, learning, communication, sight, hearing or functional limitation that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society. A disability can be permanent, temporary or episodic, and visible or invisible. Do you identify as a person with a disability? Please select ONE option only:*

YESNOI don't knowPrefer not to answer
Do you require accommodations to participate? (ASL interpretation, closed captioning, translation, etc.)*
Sexual orientation describes a person's emotional, physical, romantic and/or sexual attraction to other people. What best describes your sexual orientation? Please select ONE option only:*

Heterosexual or straightBisexualAsexualGayLesbianPansexualQueerQuestioningTwo-SpiritI don't knowPrefer not to answerOther
3. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

Please refer to FAQ for more details on why we are asking these questions and what you may want to include in your answer.
Why do you want to be a part of ArtWorksTO youth program?*

0/250
How do you see ArtWorksTO Youth program contributing to your creative and professional development?*
What experience do you have as a media artist? (i.e. have you ever delivered a media arts project for a client - this can include paid or volunteer work.)*
Do you have the availability to fully commit to a program that spans several months? Please consider your current academic, work, and personal responsibilities before answering*
What primary discipline do you work in (Select only one)*

PhotographyVideographyIllustrationDigital animationGraphic designUser Experience (UX) Design/Website Design/3D RenderingPublic Relations/Communications/Social MediaOther
What secondary disciplines do you work in (Select all that apply)*

PhotographyVideographyIllustrationDigital animationGraphic designUser Experience (UX) Design/Website Design/3D RenderingPublic Relations/Communications/Social MediaOther
Have you previously participated in an OCAD University-led Creative Portfolio Development Workshop?*

YESNO - but I will look at the website sample to find out information about how to submit my own creative portfolioNot applicable - I am aware of the ArtWorksTO youth program's creative portfolio submission requirements and my portfolio is ready to be submitted
CREATIVE PORTFOLIO SAMPLE
4. ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION IN MEDIA ARTS
If applicable, indicate any postsecondary experience or credentials you may have (select all that apply). **Please note: postsecondary education is not a requirement for ArtWorksTO, and qualified applicants without postsecondary will be prioritized.***

Undergraduate degreeUndergraduate courseworkGraduate degreeContinuing educationNot applicable
Please specify your major and degree type (BA, BFA, MSc, etc.)
Indicate any learning, training, or education that you feel will contribute to your success in ArtWorksTO Youth program. (Select all that apply)*

POVThe Remix ProjectYouth Employment ServicesImagineNATIVERegent Park FOCUSVibeArtsOYAStreet VoicesEva’s PhoenixSKETCHFilm StarsJAYUNIANot ApplicableOther
If accepted into the 2026 ArtWorksTO Youth program; which OCAD University Continuing Education skills training option are you interested in pursuing?*

Two (2) mandatory micro-credential courses to earn digital badges.A full Certificate in Art & Design Professional Skills (note: this option requires taking the two (2) mandatory micro-credential courses, and an additional three (3) courses.)
5. PORTFOLIO

Please upload your digital portfolio in PDF format.
(please refer to this website to see a sample of a portfolio).

If you would like feedback on your portfolio please contact zyrelle@torontoarts.org. Subject to availability a representative from OCAD U will offer up to 30 minutes of portfolio critique and development support.

Please note that feedback is subjective and does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
Upload your digital portfolio as a single PDF*

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6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Is there anything else you would like us to consider about your application and eligibility that isn't mentioned above?

0/250
APPLICATION CHECK-LIST

I am Indigenous (status & non-status,) Black, and/or a Person of ColourI am a resident of the city of TorontoI am 18- 29 years of ageI have completed answers for all required questions in the application formI have uploaded in PDF format my creative portfolio following the ArtWorksTO requirementsI have read the FAQ and, if accepted into the program, I understand my rights as a participant and my responsibilities to ArtWorksTO
Privacy Statement | Information submitted to this form is kept strictly confidential. Information provided by the user will not be forwarded, traded or sold to outside organizations. Users who register for any purpose may request their name be removed from our e-mail list or any other electronic distribution list at any time. All personal information you provide is protected under the Government of Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. For more information visit https://torontoartsfoundation.org/privacy-policy.
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