What is YES?
Youth Engagement Scarborough (YES) 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!
Whether you've been creating for years or are just starting your journey, we want to support you. If you have a digital media piece or a creative idea 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.
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.
Ready to turn your ideas into reality? Join us and make your mark!
Applications are opening soon for our next cohorts - check back soon!
Who is Guild Festival Theatre?
For more than a decade, Guild Festival Theatre has enchanted patrons at beautiful open-air productions at the stunning Greek Theatre in Scarborough's iconic Guild Park. Scarborough's only professional theatre, GFT is proud to champion local arts and culture and has been honoured with numerous awards and commendations, including “Best Live Theatre” (Scarborough Mirror), the Urban Hero Award (Metroland Media), the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Award, the King Charles III Coronation Medal, and two Dora Mavor Moore Awards.
ABOUT YOUTH ENGAGEMENT SCARBOROUGH
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.
What is the YES Showcase
The showcase is an event produced by Guild Festival Theatre to celebrate, present and even pitch you and your project alongside other YES participants and invited guests.
It will take place in a cinema. All files need to be sent prior as an MP4 and will be formatted together
You can share up to 10 minutes of work—this could be an excerpt, a full piece, or a work-in-progress showing, etc.
Any related costs (e.g. editing, file transfers etc) should be included in your grant budget.
If you choose to produce and show your project at your own event, you are still required to present at the YES Showcase. NOTE: Please include the associated costs to your event (rentals, food, etc.) in your grant budget.
Who Can Apply?
Youth (ages 15-30) with a connection to Scarborough
Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and youth with a granted refugee status
Digital Media-based projects that engage multiple youth in the community
No prior professional creative 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 (OLMC)
Youth living in rural or remote areas
Youth from low-income households
Not sure if you qualify? Reach out! ✉️ outreach@guildfestivaltheatre.ca
What Kind of Projects Does YES Support?
YES supports youth-led arts projects that incorporate themes of sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity.
Each project creates volunteer opportunities for other youth to gain hands-on experience in various artistic and community engagement roles.
Questions? Email program manager Ganesh Thava at outreach@guildfestivaltheatre.ca or check out our YES FAQ and WHAT MAKES A YES PROJECT pages!
YES is funded in part by Canada Service Corps, a national movement that empowers youth aged 12–30 to gain experience and build important skills while giving back to their community. Learn more at Canada.ca/CanadaServiceCorps