The new EAST Spoken Word & Poetry Collective

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Want to express yourself through poetry?
Want to meet other youth and mentors interested in spoken word?
Want a chance to showcase your work?
Register for FREE workshops that explore creativity and performance in your Scarborough neighbourhood!EAST Spoken Word and Poetry poster image

Scarborough Arts, in collaboration with R.I.S.E. Edutainment and the Toronto Public Library, presents the EAST Spoken Word & Poetry Collective for youth ages 12-18. This Collective provides youth with local opportunities to explore creativity and performance and develop their craft in poetry and spoken word under the guidance of emerging artists and community facilitators from R.I.S.E. Edutainment.

Taking the idea of “neighbourhood games” as a theme, the program is designed to promote youth creative expression, animate communities and public spaces, and inspire collaboration between young performers and their peers across the Scarborough. Participants in the program will have several opportunities to showcase their work, receive feedback, and learn about wider youth arts networks and resources.

The FREE workshops are anchored in four key Scarborough neighbourhoods and will take place at the following local Toronto Public Library Branches:

  • Agincourt Branch (155 Bonis Avenue) – May 13-June 14 (Tuesdays 4-5:30 p.m.)
  • Malvern Branch (30 Sewells Road) – June 21-July 26 (Saturdays 2-3:30 p.m.)
  • Morningside Branch (4279 Lawrence Avenue East) – August 2-September 6 (Saturdays 2-3:30 p.m.)
  • Cedarbrae Branch (645 Markham Road) – September 13-October 11 (Saturdays 2-3:30 p.m.)

Registration is required. Please click here for the registration form or visit the Information Desk at one of the above libraries to pick up a copy.

The Spoken Word & Poetry Collective is generously funded by the Toronto Community Foundation Vital Youth/Playing for Keeps initiative and is presented by Scarborough Arts in partnership with R.I.S.E. Edutainment and the Toronto Public Library. EAST is partnered with Agincourt Community Services Association, Boys & Girls Club of East Scarborough, Heart Beatz – Cliffcrest Community Centre, Phase One Studios, Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre, G5 Canadian Urban, JVS Toronto, and a range of other organizations that aim to build skills, provide training, and support new networks among youth in under-served communities. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation.