Our Community Art Toolbox

Creative resources and workshop materials to support emerging youth in pursuing lifelong careers in the arts for social change

Policy Report: Bridging Perspectives Between Climate and Gender

This report is a qualitative exploration of the impacts of climate finance on gender equity with BIPOC women across Canada.

The community-engaged research project was initiated to address the systemic exclusion faced by underserved communities. Using participatory action research (PAR) methods, the project worked hand-in-hand with participants to understand the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of climate finance and gender equity. Read here.

Database for Youth Opportunities

A comprehensive legacy resource designed to empower and support emerging artists and designers in accessing the funding and resources they need to succeed in the arts.

Features 67 diverse opportunities including grants, fellowships, workshops, and calls for submission, categorized by their reach, from local (GTA and City of Toronto) to national and international levels, for youth up to the age of 35. Read here.

How to use Facebook groups for Online Networking by Ella Mazur

Facebook groups offer a powerful free tool for networking online. Groups are often specific to certain topics, types of people (such as freelancers), or locations (for shopping and hiring locally). All you need is a Facebook account. This resource will walk you through the steps of using Facebook groups to your best advantage to find paying clients or customers online. Read here.

DIA Park/Land NANOWRIMO Participant Booklet by Ari Para

Want to practice and improve your creative writing skills? This writing booklet offers 30 writing prompts focused on your relationship to land to help strengthen your relationship to nature. In addition to these daily writing prompts, we also have tips and guides on various writing practices and different ways you can improve your writing skills.

For more information on future writing programs and projects, please contact Ari from the Department of Imaginary Affairs at ari@dia.space. Read here.

Workshop: Crafting An Artist Statement For Online Networking by Ella Mazur

For both Instagram and Facebook, you need to have a solid idea of yourself as an artist. We’re going to go through several questions to help you understand why you make art, what inspires you, etc. Using our answers, we will craft an artist statement, then rewrite this to create an Instagram bio and an introductory post for Facebook groups. Read here.

Part 1: An Introduction to DIY Zines

In this Introduction, Jessica Campbell, an emerging self-taught graphic designer, illustrator and zine enthusiast covers some important questions that anybody looking to create zines would want to know. Hopefully after reading this booklet, you will be able to take away zine cultural relevance and potential, as well as all the stages involved in making your own zine! Read here.

Part 2: DIY Zine-Making Processes

The topic of this lesson is to take what was learned in part one and start creating our zine. This booklet Includes a vast array of content from initial planning stages of finding inspiration, to choosing your desired layout, creating sketches, followed by documenting your process. Read here.

Getting a Head Start in the Creative Industry

Mike Regis, Toronto-based filmmaker and Director of Outside Genre Co. covers key concepts, including How To Strategically Get Funding for Projects, Developing a Creative Mindset, and Networking Secrets In The Game. Read here.

Part 3: DIY Zine-Making Evaluation

Actually finishing the project is amazing. Jessica know for herself that the project is complete when she just cannot bother to put another paint stroke down. As artists, we tend to look at our art as just alright but try to look at it from a friend’s point of view.

Go ahead and share your art work with a family member or a friend and let them see it for the beauty that it actually is. Always be proud of how far you’ve come! Read here.

How to Navigate Grants and Arts Funding in Canada

Grant funding for the arts in Canada is complex and full of options for young, emerging creatives. There are a few rules to follow and a few things you can do to help you better understand the grant process and apply for the right opportunity that aligns with your practice!

Tasneem Nanji, aka TASNEEM breaks down the grant application and writing process in this brief booklet. Her short film, September 10th, which she wrote, directed, produced, composed and performed in received an Explore and Create Grant from the Canada Council for the Arts and will debut at film festivals around the world in the Fall of 2022. Read here.

Narrative Mapping Workshop

Hosted by Lin Lune.

Compiled data findings of the interactive art performance based workshop hosted during our Online Community Arts Gathering held on September 03, 2022. Access here.