JAYU is a registered Canadian charity that equips and platforms equity-deserving youth artists dedicated to using art for change.

We do this by offering youth-led and youth-developed arts programs, mentorships, human rights education, and paid opportunities in the Greater Toronto Area.

We believe strongly that youth arts programs can be used to develop economic resilience, to share human rights stories, to build empathy, to heal, to forge community and to inspire the conversations that help push the world into a more equitable and loving place.

Guided by our dedicated team of staff, artists, educators and our Board of Directors, our year-round programming includes the iAM program, a wider umbrella for iAM core, iAM Action, iAM Employment, iAM Mental Health and showcase opportunities like our annual spoken word competition, JAYU Slams.

We are located on the third floor at 401 Richmond Street West, Studio 380. Check out our guide to learn how to access our space via elevator!

As part of JAYU’s commitment to accessibility, we offer different types of ticketing to every event to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy the festival.

Free Admission: Creates access to our space and events for those who may not be in a position to give.

Give-What-You-Can: Builds welcoming spaces for everyone to share their stories. This option is for folks that are able to donate and wish to support JAYU Festival of the Arts and our programming.

401 Richmond is wheelchair accessible with gender neutral washrooms. Wheelchair entrances are located:

• at the front entrance near the Roastery Café (east of Spadina Avenue)

• at the north-east corner of the building, near the Spacing and Swipe retail shops (west of the corner of Richmond and Peter Streets).

Paid parking is available within the area. We recommend:

• 83 Peter Street (underground lot; card and online payment options available; 5 minute walk)

• 448 Richmond Street West (outdoor lot; physical card required; 2 minute walk)