GFT’s Youth Engagement Scarborough (YES) Program

Youth Engagement Scarborough (YES) is a grant program that supports young leaders in creating community-driven arts projects in Scarborough. Participants receive project funding, one-on-one mentorship from a working artist, and hands-on project management training.

If you're passionate about using art to inspire and connect with your community, this program is for you. The experience will culminate in the YES Showcase, where you’ll present your project in a way that feels meaningful to you and your community.

We are now accepting applications for two cohorts!

Cohort 4 – Writing

This cohort is for youth developing writing-only projects. Projects focused on creating written work or running programs centered on the writing stage should apply to this cohort.

WHAT MAKES A YES PROJECT - WRITING

Cohort 5 – Performance

This cohort supports performance-focused projects. Projects involving getting on your feet and developing a show, or running performance-based workshops should apply to this cohort. Your project may include writing elements, but the primary goal should be to create something that lives in performance. 

WHAT MAKES A YES PROJECT - PERFORMANCE

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.

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.

  • There will be minimal lighting, sound, technical, and staging elements available. There will be no rehearsals in the space, just a simple tech the day of the event.

  • You can share up to 15 minutes of work—this could be an excerpt, a full piece, or a work-in-progress showing, etc.

  • Any related costs (e.g. actors, props, costumes, materials, etc.) should be included in your grant budget.

  • If you choose to produce your own event (reading, show, cabaret etc), you will still be required to present at the YES Showcase. Please include the associated costs to your event (rentals, directors, technical needs etc.) in your grant budget. 

Application Timeline

Applications for Cohort 4 – Writing, and Cohort 5 – Performance are being accepted and notified on the same schedule. However, each program operates on its own timeline.

Writing & Performance

  • Applications Open: Monday, November 24, 2025

  • Info Session: Monday, December 8, 2025 (6–8 PM) – RSVP Here

  • Applications Close: Sunday, January 4, 2026 @ 11:59 PM

  • Participants Notified: Mid-January 2026

  • Program Orientation: Monday, January 26, 2026 (6–9 PM)

Writing Cohort ONLY

  • Funding Released: Early February

  • Project Period: January 26 – April 8, 2026

  • Skills-Building Workshops: TBD (One evening in February and one in March)

  • YES Showcase: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 (Full Day)

Performance Cohort ONLY

  • Funding Released: Early April

  • Project Period: January 26 – August 24, 2026*

  • Skills-Building Workshops: TBD (One evening in April and one in June)

  • YES Showcase: Week of August 24, 2026 (One Full Day TBD)

*Note: The Performance cohort begins two months before funding is released to allow time for planning, script development, and production/technical preparation prior to meeting with the Program Manager for funding release, pending project feasibility.

Who Can Apply?

  • Youth (ages 15-30) with a connection to Scarborough

  • Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and youth with a granted refugee status

  • Performing Arts-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

Apply Now!

Questions? Email program manager Ganesh Thava at outreach@guildfestivaltheatre.ca or check out:

YES FAQ
YES Info Session
 
 

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