Usually, the art engagement project takes place within one classroom in two schools annually. This year, TD Ready Commitment provided funding to run the initiative within one classroom in 25 elementary schools, said Michèle Newton, co-founder and acting chair of Making Change.
Through the project, youth take a virtual tour of the Erika DeFreitas’ exhibit through MacLaren Art Centre; learn about the contribution of Black Canadians; talk about how society can overcome racism; and then express those ideas through visual arts, drama, dance, or music through virtual workshops with a Black mentor.
“They use their art to tell a story of how they would change the narrative,” Newton said.