High-Quality Arts Program Kicks Off 3rd Year of Art, Culture, and Diversity in Scarborough Schools
Kaleidoscope Program

« Scarborough contains some of the most diverse neighbourhoods in Canada, yet the provision of high-quality cultural arts programs in schools is limited, particularly for newcomers, youth, and culturally diverse communities. Kaleidoscope, a collaborative project by Scarborough Arts, involves five schools, seven collaborative partners, and a growing list of community organizations, all working together to address these needs over the last two years. The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario, awarded a grant to support the five-year project that launched in January 2012.

The school-aged participants of the Kaleidoscope program experience different art forms and explore diverse cultures through a series of workshops led by prominent and professional artists. Two-hour workshops are delivered twice a week over five weeks. Partnering with Scarborough Arts to implement this initiative are Catholic Cross-Cultural Services, Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, Mural Routes, University of Toronto Cultural Pluralism in the Arts program, Harmony Movement, and Diaspora Dialogues. The school program is delivered in five Scarborough elementary schools including Silver Springs Public School, Military Trail Public School, Warden Avenue Public School, St. Boniface Catholic School, and St. Dunstan Catholic School.

“The response to our school and community programs has been overwhelmingly positive, which underscores the need for programs like this. After two incredible years, our excitement hasn’t waned and we look forward to expanding our reach,” says Manager of Children’s Programs Tamla Matthews-Morgan. “Five-year funding means we can meaningfully engage people for a significant amount of time. It has been incredibly fulfilling to watch a program impact everyone from the inside out over time.”

Kaleidoscope includes a variety of artistic disciplines while exploring themes of dultural heritage and diversity. Artists on the roster include 2013 Scarborough Walk of Fame inductee and spoken word artist Dwayne Morgan, photographer Kat Rizza, and veteran drummer and performance artist Keith Pascal. »

-from Scarborough Arts press release, November 13
Read Scarborough Arts’ profile in our Community-Engaged Arts Directory and Map