Arts Education in School and Communities: Possibilities, Pathways and Partnerships was hosted by Culture Shift, in collaboration with Arts Etobicoke and Scarborough Arts on Nov. 10, 2025. There was a real buzz in the room from beginning to end, sparked by the excitement of gathering in community to connect with one another and to hear from our guest speakers Adom Acheampong, Miranda Blazey. and Catherine McPherson.

Adom Acheampong, Multi & Inter-Arts and Community Engaged Arts Officer, provided a an overview of grant opportunities and procedures for application, with a particular focus on the Artists in Schools and Communities Projects which support the research, development and realization of community-engaged arts projects in Ontario. For further information, the OAC provides the Framing Community: A Community-Engaged Workbook. Thank you Adom for taking the time to connect with this community of outstanding artists and artist-educators! Participants found the information invaluable.

Following this overview of provincially-funded opportunities, Miranda Blazey- Arts Coordinator and Catherine McPherson - Arts Convenor, from the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), provided a local perspective. The TDSB requires artists to navigate a rigorous partnership proposal process to qualify to work in schools. Miranda and Catherine walked us through the details and provided helpful tools to guide artists in the process of application. This slide deck includes some of the key information shared in their presentation. Thank you, Miranda and Catherine. Again, participants appreciated the comprehensive sharing of information.

Overwhelmingly, the assembly of teachers and artists in attendance expressed an eagerness for more opportunities to gather as a community of practice.

Culture Shift will continue to seek out partners and opportunities for cross-sectoral exchange, collaborative learning, and innovation in the field of arts education in schools and communities.