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a five-day celebratioN of creative expression informed by human rights, equity and social justice.

YOUTH PRODUCED, YOUTH LED.

  • ART.

    Our exhibition brings together emerging and established creators whose work speaks to identity, social justice, and community. Each piece tells a story that is bold, honest, and deeply human, inviting viewers to see the world through their eyes and explore their stories and experiences.

  • FILM.

    Our film lineup features powerful storytelling that challenges perspectives and spark conversations. From short features to a feature film, each screening highlights voices often left unheard and explores themes of equity, resilience, and the human experience through a lens of truth and transformation.

  • POETRY.

    Poetry takes the stage as artists share work that moves between vulnerability and strength. Through rhythm and language, poets explore belonging, identity, and liberation, creating space for reflection, resistance, and the beauty of sharing our voices.

VERSE & VISUAL

EXPRESSIONS SHOWCASE

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
December 10–14

  • iAM x VERSE & VISUAL EXPRESSIONS SHOWCASE

    DAY 1

    DECEMBER 10 @ 7:00-9:00PM

    Celebrate the voices of 8 Black youth artists as they share collages and spoken word poetry capturing the heart of their journeys and the beauty of interdisciplinary art in motion.

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  • OPENING RECEPTION


    DAY 2

    DECEMBER 11 @ 7:00-9:00PM

    View our Annual Juried Exhibition where artists from our community explore themes of identity, resilience, and justice through their work and a panel discussion.

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  • SHORTS PROGRAM


    DAY 3 (AFTERNOON)

    DECEMBER 12 @ 4:00-6:00PM

    See the world through the eyes of youth filmmakers, raw, real, and unfiltered as they tackle stories ​​that bring our communities closer together.

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  • FEATURE FILM



    DAY 3 (EVENING)

    DECEMBER 12 @ 7:00-9:00PM

    Watch Boxcutter (2024), a film made in Toronto, followed by a panel and Q&A diving into themes of self-belief, community, and creative resilience.

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  • POETRY SLAM



    DAY 4

    DECEMBER 13 @ 7:30-10:00PM

    JAYU Slams brings together ten youth poets to share powerful stories, compete for the title of Slam Champ, and celebrate the power of words, community, and truth.

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  • DECORATIVE STITCH BINDING WORKSHOP


    DAY 5

    DECEMBER 14 @ 2:00-4:00PM

    Get hands-on in our studio and learn the art of decorative stitch bookbinding. Craft a unique, handmade book that reflects your personal style.

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IT’S your art,
YOUR VOICES, YOUR STORIES
FRONT & CENTRE.

we support and elevate equity-deserving young, emerging artists by offering them professional development opportunities and platforms to showcase their work.

Meet the Artists

  • DARIA KHOSRAVI

    Multidisciplinary Artist

  • EMILYA GUERRERO

    Painter & Collage Artist

  • Eugene Woo

    Illustrator & Writer

  • Minerva Navasca

    Filmmaker

  • NANCY CORREIA

    Multidisciplinary Artist

  • Niya Ahmed Abdullahi

    Multidisciplinary Artist

  • PARASTOO HADDADI

    Multidisciplinary Artist

  • Paul-Daniel Torres

    Film Director & Writer

  • PUSHPA SAHA

    Visual Storyteller

  • REZA DAHYA

    Filmmaker

  • SERVILLE POBLETE

    Filmmaker

  • SYDNIE BAYNES

    Animator & Visual Artist

  • Vishwa Patel

    Interdisciplinary Artist

VIEW ALL ARTISTS

F.A.Q

  • 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)

thank you to all our funders and sponsors!

FESTIVAL FUNDERS

iAM FUNDERS

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

OPERATING FUNDERS