Canadian Art Foundation School Hop
The semi-annual Canadian Art Foundation School Hop brings 900 high-school students per year to Toronto studios and galleries on tours led by local artists. This program gives priority and vital program access to the most needy schools in the Toronto District School Board. The program provides free bus transportation, pays for artists/curators to lead discussions with students, and ensures that each student receives a current issue of Canadian Art and a sketchbook in which to record their artistic ideas.
Through tours lead by a professional artist, students are exposed to different artistic practices from diverse cultural backgrounds. The program encourages a free exchange of ideas about art, culture and society and establishes an historical context for approaching contemporary art practices. Students visit commercial galleries and artist-run spaces and meet other professional artists in their studios.
In the face of reduced funding for extracurricular activities and diminished focus on art education in public schools, the Canadian Art School Hop is a valuable opportunity for students. This is a free half-day program; more than half of the participating Greater Toronto Area schools have come from low-income neighbourhoods or included at-risk youth. The feedback we have received from teachers confirms the crucial need for this valuable program. One teacher commented,
“My students were raving about the School Hop for days after our trip…We found our visit extremely educational and inspiring. Thank you for giving us this opportunity and continue the fantastic work of educating our youth about the contemporary world of art!”
2011/2012 School Hop Dates
October 14, 15, 20 and 21, 2011
April 12, 13 and 20, 2012
May 3, 4, 10 and 11, 2012
Please fill out this form to confirm your interest in participating in the Canadian Art School Hop.
For more information, email schoolhop@canadianart.ca or call (416) 368-8854 ext. 101.
| |
|
Artist Tara Cooper with Cardinal Academy for the Arts students discussing work shown in the Gallery 44 vitrines during the Spring 2010 School Hop. |
| |
|
Students gather at 401 Richmond arts building lobby to begin a Spring 2010 School Hop tour with artist Sara Graham. |
| |
|
Vancouver based artist/educator Sobhi al-Zobaidi speaks with students about his video at Trinity Square during the Spring 2010 School Hop. |
| |
|
Sarah Sharkey-Pearce, School Hop facilitator, with students from Birchmount Park Collegiate on Queen Street participating in the gall 2007 Canadian Art School Hop. |
