Youth Programs

AGO Youth programs are free and serve youth ages 14-25. These programs focus on building community, making art, claiming institutional space, creating safe and inclusive spaces for youth, hiring emerging artists, partnering with community organizations and advocating for youth presence, values and culture.

Programs combine contemporary art practices, community building and popular culture; ranging from drop-ins to year-long commitments. There are several volunteer opportunities for youth throughout the museum.


COURSES FOR YOUTH

Youth Studio

Develop your artistic voice in this 5 week multimedia course that encourages play and experimentation alongside technical instruction on various painting, drawing and printmaking techniques. Students will also learn how to develop and use their sketchbooks effectively in the pursuit of creating portfolio ready works of art.

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Painting Explorations: Abstract

This 5 week course will introduce students to various abstract painting techniques as well as a variety of painting styles, and subject matter. Students will develop an awareness of colour, shape, texture and form to create compositions with depth, using the mediums of acrylic paint. Learn fundamental painting techniques and get inspired by the abstract artwork in the AGO Collection including a visit to the special exhibition Denyse Thomasos: just beyond.

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PAST EVENTS youth

PAST EVENTS

Popular
Youth Events
Print Jam
Wednesday, February 15 - March 8, 4 pm

Experiment with printing on the Risograph and get inspired by Colour Code’s giant collection of zines.

Youth Events
Street Players: 1v1 Wh/aacking Battle
Wednesday, February 8, 5 pm

Come watch or compete in the Street Players: 1v1 Wh/aacking Battle in Walker Court,  organized by Canadian Street Dance DJ and supporter Iced Misto.

Popular
Youth Events
Disco Dances presented by Iced Misto
Wednesdays, January 11 - February 1, 4 pm

Disco Dances are back! Learn two dances from the 1970s disco era: Hustle and Punking/Waacking.

Popular
Youth Events
Inner Space with Blake McLeod
Wednesday, December 28, 3 pm

This month we meet artist Blake McLeod

Youth Events
Inner Space: The Screening
Wednesday, December 7, 7 pm

Join us for the screening of season one of Inner Space

Popular
Youth Events
Inner Space with Amnna Attia
Wednesday, November 30, 3 pm

This month we meet artist Amnna Attia,

Popular
Youth Events
Clay and Ceramics with Ness Lee
Wednesdays, October 26 - November 30, 4 pm

Come hang out with local artist Ness Lee and explore all the possibilities with clay!

Popular
Youth Events
Inner Space with Annie Beach
Wednesay, October 26, 3 pm

This month we meet artist Annie Beach

Youth Events
Free Press: Accessible Printmaking for Social Movements
Thursdays, October 6 + 13, 4 pm

Art as political action? Yes indeed.

Popular
Youth Events
Inner Space with Oreka James
Wednesday, September 28, 3 pm
Popular
Youth Events
House Dancing with Warehouse Jacks
Wednesdays, September 14 - October 19, 4 pm

Drop in and dance!

Popular
Youth Events
Inner Space with Vanessa Mercedes Figueroa
Wednesday, July 27, 3 pm

Youth programs

YOUTH PROGRAMS 

Representing a diverse group of youth in Toronto, the AGO Youth Council is run by youth ages 15-24 who are interested in art and the relationship between young people and art institutions. Through a lens of social practice, the program focuses on community building, experiential pedagogy, and contemporary art practices working collectively to initiate programming by youth for youth. Collaborations with artists result in exhibitions, public art projects, interventions, large-scale events, drop-in programs, field trips, walking tours and much more.

The AGO is the place to be for youth ages 14 to 25. Free drop in programs run in Fall, Winter and Spring on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-6pm in Weston Family Learning Centre. Participate in tie dyeing, sticker making, silk screening, skateboard building, mix tape making, movie screenings and break-dancing workshops. No registration or cost required. Follow us on Instagram at @AGOYouth for details and updates.


Current Youth Program gridlist

SKILLZ SHARE

SKILLZ SHARE: PAPIER-MÂCHÉ

Wednesday, August 19, 2020 3 pm

Zoe Statiris is a third year student at Ryerson University. She likes to paint, draw, and take long walks on the beach. In her video Zoe makes a papier-mâché butterfly sculpture! 

Skillz Share: Organizing Your Bookshelf

Wednesday, August 12, 2020 3 pm

A first year student at U of T, Ingrid Wang is a visual artist with a passion for language, art history, and philosophy. In her free time, she enjoys reading classics, making earl grey tea, and keeping her bookshelves neat and tidy. This week Ingrid teaches us how to organize your bookshelf!

Skillz Share: Bullet Journaling

Tuesday June 30, 2020 3 pm

Calvin Pham is currently in his third year at York University, with a double major in Visual Arts and Film Studies. He has experience in fine arts, film making, photography, special effects make-up, and creative coaching.

Skillz Share: How to Write and Record a Song Using Garageband

Wednesday, June 24, 2020 3 pm

Sabrina Carrizo Sztainbok is a visual artist and musician. She has been playing in bands since she was fourteen (slobrina, pins and needles, tange and luna li) and has been trying to teach herself how to produce her own music over the years. This week Sabrina teaches us how to write and record a song using Garageband!

Skillz Share: Food Recycling

Wednesday, June 17, 2020 3 pm

Celeste Chiguichon is a second year volunteer at the ago youth council. She is a visual artist who loves learning about plants and our relationship to the earth. While finding peace and mindfulness in working with soil/greenery, she hopes to offer a calming practice to ground and grow along side with plant friends.

Skillz Share: How to Juggle

Wednesday, May 27, 2020 3 pm

Izzy Slone is a recent high school grad who loves visual art, fashion and making people smile. She joined the AGO Youth Council this past year and will be attending UofT in the fall. This week Izzy teaches us how to juggle!

Skillz Share: Make a Scrapwich

Wednesday May 20, 3 pm

Adam Bovoletis has a passion for laughin'. He's made a bunch of art, co-founded Insomniac Film Festival, has been a proud member of the Youth Council for the past four years, and likes to write in third person. This week he teaches us how to build a ‘scrapwich’ a sandwich with whatever is in your fridge!

Skillz Share: How to Cut Your Bangs!

Wednesday May 6, 3pm

Nara Wrigglesworth is not a hairdresser, she would like to work in a community based arts practice, or move to California, or both. Currently she is watching a lot of movies and talking about them on a podcast (Is It Wack?), she is also trying to get better at making music. This week Nara teaches us how to cut your bangs!


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