StArt YPA

​StArt Youth Presenting Art (StArt YPA) is a youth-led volunteer-based initiative based in Scarborough Village that strived to provide young people with accessible arts education and outlets for self-expression. Since 2011, StArt YPA gave youth opportunities to excel in various art forms - radically enhancing creativity, and contributing to self-confidence as cultural producers in society.

StArt YPA was formed because of a lack of accessible artistic opportunities for youth in the Scarborough community. Youth don’t have many places to participate in training opportunities, be mentored by an industry professional, or showcase their practice at a community scale. The StArt YPA team created barrier free access to workshops, mentorship and an annual festival, which attracted over 500 community members including artists, agency partners, and councillors. It was the ideal platform for youth and emerging artists to showcase their art form to the Scarborough Village community. StArt YPA brought people together to appreciate the importance of the arts in our everyday lives.

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Take a look at StArt YPA through the years on YouTube!