Posted by Guild Festival Theatre

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.

We are now accepting applications for two cohorts!

Cohort 6 – Digital Media

This cohort supports performance-focused projects. Projects involving media elements such as film, digital, video etc. should apply to this cohort. Your project may include writing elements, but the primary goal should be to create something that lives on a screen.

YES – What Makes a YES Digital Media Project?

Cohort 7 – 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.

YES – What Makes a YES Writing Project?

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

Application Timeline

Applications for Cohort 6 – Digital Media & Cohort 7 – Writing are being accepted and notified on the same schedule. However, each program operates on its own timeline.

Digital Media & Writing

• Applications Open: June 20, 2020

• Info Session: Thursday, July 2, 2026 6-8PM Zoom RSVP Link

• Applications Close: July 19, 2026

• Program Orientation: August 18th, 2026 6-9PM

Digital Media Cohort ONLY

• Funding Released: September

• Project Period: September – March

• Skills-Building Workshops: TBD (One evening in September & October)

• YES Showcase: Week of March 1, 2027 @ Fox Theatre

Writing Cohort ONLY

• Funding Released: October

• Project Period: October – March

• Skills-Building Workshops: TBD (One evening in September & October)

• YES Showcase: Week of March 1, 2027

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

See all YES Program Information at guildfestivaltheatre.ca/yes