Toronto Arts Foundation

Join us for the 2026 Breakthrough Jazz Artist Award Event 🎷✨

This year’s finalists — Jon Catanus, Agneya, and Julian Anderson-Bowes — are being recognized for their exceptional talent, artistry, and innovation in jazz.

The Breakthrough Jazz Artist Award celebrates emerging Toronto-based jazz artists with 2–7 years of experience in the field, as well as artists who have spent years supporting others and are now able to focus on their own creative practice. Supported by Michael Bourgeois & Marilyn Legge.

Presented in partnership with the Toronto Jazz Festival, the evening will also feature a free live performance by 2025 recipient Roshane Wright.

📍 Village of Yorkville Park
115 Cumberland St, Toronto, ON M5R 1A6
📅 Tuesday, June 23, 2026
⏰ 5:30PM – 8:00PM

Celebrate Toronto’s vibrant jazz community with us!

Ready to launch your creative career in Toronto?🎨📸

Applications are now open for the ArtWorksTO Newcomer Program in Media Arts and Arts Education!

Whether you’re looking to build new skills, gain hands-on experience, expand your professional network, or explore career opportunities in the arts sector, ArtWorksTO is here to support your journey.

Join one of our upcoming info sessions to learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and application process:

📍 In-Person Info Session
🗓️ June 8, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

💻 Online Info Session
🗓️ June 11, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

🌟 Network. Upskill. Get Hired.

Apply today and take the next step in your creative career. Registration link in .to bio!

“While many of us come with master’s degrees or PhDs earned in other countries, the reality of starting over in a new professional landscape can be humbling, no matter how much expertise you carry. This program understood that gap and helped us bridge it, connecting our existing knowledge and artistic backgrounds with the Canadian arts ecosystem in a meaningful way.” - ArtWorksTO Newcomer Program participant, Naz Salih

The ArtWorksTO (.to) Newcomer Program application portal is now open!

Funded by the TD Ready Challenge (), this program helps newcomer artists in the GTA build sustainable careers in media arts and arts education through mentorship, training, and paid work opportunities.

Participants will receive:
• Credentialed education delivered by OCAD U
• A guaranteed paid creative contract valued at $5,000
• Group and one-on-one mentorship with industry professionals
• Networking opportunities through workshops, panels, and masterclasses
• Wrap-around supports
• Access to the ArtWorksTO Alumni Pathways Program upon completion

The program is structured into two specialized streams:
🎬 Media Arts
🎨 Arts Education

Before applying:
✔️ Review the FAQ and eligibility requirements
✔️ Prepare your creative portfolio
✔️ Sign up for FREE one-on-one professional portfolio feedback by emailing [email protected]

🗓 Deadline to apply: June 18, 2026

Questions? Reach out to Program Lead, Ximena Berecochea at [email protected]

Learn more and apply through the link in bio.
https://torontoartsfoundation.org/programs/artworksto-newcomer/