JAYU Festival of the Arts Brings Stories of Art, Identity, and Social Change to Toronto This November

TORONTO, ON – October 19, 2026 – This November, JAYU Festival of the Arts (JFA) will bring artists and audiences together for a celebration of creative expression, human rights, and social justice. Taking place November 13 through November 26, the festival will spotlight emerging and established equity-deserving artists across the Greater Toronto Area through film, visual art, poetry, workshops, and community connection.

The festival features an annual juried exhibition, short and feature-length film screenings, spoken word poetry performances, musical acts, hands-on arts workshops, and an artist market highlighting local talent. Together, these experiences invite audiences to encounter new perspectives, engage with stories often left unheard, and explore how art can build empathy, spark conversation, and inspire change.

JFA is part of JAYU’s broader commitment to supporting young artists throughout the year. Through initiatives like iAM, JAYU provides mentorship, professional development, and opportunities for emerging creatives to develop their skills, share their work, and build meaningful connections. From artist-led programming to public showcases, JAYU creates spaces where young people can explore their creativity and use their voices to shape a more equitable world.

“Art gives us the opportunity to see the world through someone else’s eyes, connect across our differences, and imagine what change can look like,” says Amanda Blair-Roberson, Executive Director at JAYU. “Through our year-round programming and JAYU Festival of the Arts, we’re creating paid opportunities for young artists to tell their stories, find community,  share their perspectives with the world, and thrive.”

Making space for young artists to share their stories and connect through creativity takes a community of support. JAYU Festival of the Arts is funded by the Government of Canada, with operating support from Toronto Arts Council with funding from the City of Toronto. JAYU would like to acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario. Their generosity helps sustain opportunities for artists to share their perspectives, bring communities together, and explore the role of art in creating a more equitable world.

JAYU’s year-round iAM initiatives are made possible with support from our Lead iAM Core Sponsor, TD Bank; the Ontario Trillium Foundation; the Charles H. Ivey Foundation; Canada Life; TELUS Friendly Future Foundation; The Daniels Corporation; the Canada Council for the Arts; Sony Canada; and the F.K. Morrow Foundation. 

For event details and registration, visit www.jayu.ca/festival

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JAYU is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of equity-deserving youth in the Greater Toronto Area. Through year-round programs and annual festivals, JAYU supports emerging artists with mentorship, professional development, and platforms to showcase their creativity, build community, and inspire social change.
info@jayu.ca | www.jayu.ca | @jayucanada

JAYU acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

The Canada Council for the Arts contributes to the vibrancy of a creative and diverse arts and literary scene and supports its presence across Canada and around the world. The Council is Canada’s public arts funder, with a mandate to “foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.” The Council’s grants, services, initiatives, prizes, and payments support Canadian artists, authors, and arts groups and organizations. This support allows them to pursue artistic expression, create works of art, and promote and disseminate the arts and literature. Through its arts funding, communications, research, and promotion activities, the Council fosters ever-growing engagement of Canadians and international audiences in the arts. The Council’s Public Lending Right (PLR) program makes annual payments to creators whose works are held in Canadian public libraries. The Council’s Art Bank operates art rental programs and helps further public engagement with contemporary arts through exhibition and outreach activities. The Council is responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, which promotes the values and programs of UNESCO to contribute to a future of peace, reconciliation, equity, and sustainable development.

Media Contact
Sursattie Raghunandan
Marketing & Communications Manager
sursattie@jayu.ca