Every child deserves access to the transformative experience of contemporary art.
Yet as arts education funding in Ontario schools continues to decline, opportunities for students to engage directly with artists, exhibitions, and creative practice are increasingly limited. Oakville Galleries is committed to helping fill this gap.
The Youth Art Education Fund will provide the resources needed to bring contemporary art and artists into the lives of young people across Oakville and the surrounding region. At its centre is Art Sparks, a new education initiative designed to connect students with contemporary art through meaningful, hands-on experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
The future of art begins with access.
Art Sparks gives young people the opportunity to develop curiosity, confidence, critical thinking, imagination, and the courage to see the world differently.
• Bringing students from local schools to Oakville Galleries for exhibitions, conversation, and inspiration
• Bringing professional artists and art-making experiences directly into classrooms
• Providing all art supplies at no cost to participating schools
• Engaging more than 1000 students annually
• Partnering with approximately 40 local schools
• Providing opportunities for students to work directly with artists, curators, and educators
• Presenting a year-end student exhibition in Oakville Galleries’ Studio and Education Centre
• Celebrating young artists through creative awards and recognition
BECAUSE YOUR SUPPORT
• Puts art into classrooms, giving students direct access to contemporary artists and ideas.
• Makes creativity accessible, providing transportation, materials, and programming so that cost is not a barrier to participation.
• Builds confidence and curiosity, giving young people the opportunity to ask questions, experiment, make, and imagine.
• Connects schools and communities, strengthening relationships between Oakville Galleries, educators, families, artists, and local schools.
• Invests in the future, helping develop creative, thoughtful young people who will shape the communities of tomorrow.
• Your gift to the Youth Art Education Fund makes these experiences possible for students regardless of their school’s resources or their family’s financial abilities.
BECOME A SPONSOR
Founding Sponsor $15,000
For helping to launch Art Sparks and support programming across the full school year:
• you will be recognized as the Founding Sponsor on all promotional and communications materials for the first 2 years.
• the “best in show” award at the year-end exhibition will be in your name for the first 2 years.
Leading Partner $10,000
For helping to connect hundreds of students with artists, exhibitions, and art-making experiences:
• you will be recognized as a Leading Partner on all promotional and communications materials for one year.
• we will create a unique award at the year-end exhibition in your honour.
Community Partner $7,500
For helping to provide transportation, artist-led workshops, and materials for participating schools:
• you will be recognized as a Community Partner on all promotional and communications materials for one year.
• the people’s choice award at the year-end exhibition will be in your honour.
Education Partner $5,000
For helping to cover the cost of art supplies and ensure students can participate regardless of their school’s resources.
• you will be recognized as a Education Partner on all promotional and communications materials for one year.
• you will be recognized at the year-end exhibition.
Supporter $2,500
For helping to foster art in our community:
• you will be recognized as a Supporter on all promotional and communications materials for one year.
*As a nonprofit public organization we offer charitable receipts
For questions or more information about how you can support, please contact:
Nolan Machan
Development Manager
905.844.4402
nolan@oakvillegalleries.com
