COMMUNITY+Connects with Workman Arts invites instructors to propose accessible and inclusive online or hybrid courses for our 2021/2022 workshops as a part of the Scarborough Arts “COMMUNITY+Connects: Online” annual programming.

We are looking for artists who live in Scarborough that have developed skills or technical experience in a range of disciplines that may include (but are not limited to): Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Textile Art, Photography, Media Arts, Filmmaking, Podcasting, Animation, Performance, Theatre, Movement, Poetry, Prose, Playwriting, Songwriting and/or Music Composition.

We recognize all forms of knowledge acquisition and invite instructors from all backgrounds to apply; academic experience is not necessary. We prioritize hiring artists with lived experience of mental illness and/or addiction. 

Instructors will develop and teach workshops and classes for participants living in Scarborough. Each course will be provided with Workman Arts peer support, who will support participants with anything that may come up for them during the class. Peer support is not there to assist the instructor with instructing. 

Please keep in mind that programs are intended to provide participating artists with guidance and support in their own creative pursuits or the chance to contribute to a larger collaborative process (rather than be in service to an Instructor’s sole artistic vision or project). Also, please note that Workman Arts is a non-clinical arts organization and we will not prioritize applications that are situated explicitly within art therapy and/or clinically-based framework.

Once we have received your application it will be reviewed and we will contact you with the next steps if your application is selected. All applications will be reviewed. Applications are due on October 15.

Payment: 

Instructors will be paid a total of $350 per class under 4 hours, plus a one-time prep fee of $250. Workman Arts will cover the cost of materials and support the delivery or pick up of materials to participants.

A bit about Workman Arts

Workman Arts provides multi-disciplinary, professional art workshops for and by artists with lived experience of mental health and/or addictions issues. Workman Arts aims to support member artists through community support, access to free studio space, materials, equipment, free art training as well as professional development and presentation opportunities.

A bit about Scarborough Arts

Scarborough Arts, a not-for-profit charitable organization, serves the Scarborough community by developing, delivering, and promoting innovative arts programming and cultural initiatives in collaboration and partnership with the community. Scarborough Arts brings artists to the community and community to the arts, prioritizing equity-seeking groups and serving children, youth, adults, seniors and families from a broad demographic spectrum. 

About COMMUNITY+Connects with Workman Arts

Thanks to a $1 million investment over four years from the Slaight Family Foundation, Workman Arts is expanding its art training programs throughout the GTA by partnering with Scarborough Arts, Urban Arts, North York Arts, East End Arts, Arts Etobicoke and Lakeshore Arts. The expanded program tackles the prevalence of social isolation in individuals with mental health issues and the lack of opportunities to build lasting social connections through meaningful engagement outside of the mainstream mental health system. Workman Arts’ art training programs are unique in the mental health sector because they do not treat the art class as secondary to the mental health benefits. High-quality art classes across all disciplines are facilitated by instructors with lived experience of mental health and/or addiction issues.

COMMUNITY+Connects with Workman Art is specifically looking to add programming in Scarborough but online.  Courses will begin in November 2021, January 2022 and Feb. 2022 running 5 weeks in length online*. 

About COMMUNITY+Connects: Online

COMMUNITY+Connects: Online is Scarborough Arts’ yearly creative and professional development workshop series that aims to provide audiences of all ages and skill levels with free access to arts-based instructions from renowned Scarborough and GTA-based creative professionals.

Each year, Scarborough Arts offers a range of creative workshops that are free to the public and offer comprehensive skill building for audiences of all ages. Our COMMUNITY+Connects programs are offered as Spring Sessions (March-May), Summer Sessions (June-August), Fall Sessions (September-November), and Winter Sessions (December-February).