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Program Focus
At Arts Orillia, we are committed to fostering creativity and community through dynamic arts programs. Our priorities include:
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Youth Engagement: We provide workshops, school partnerships, and summer camps, offering young people hands-on experiences in music, dance, theatre, and digital arts.
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Artist Support: We nurture both emerging and established artists by offering spaces, resources, and opportunities to create, collaborate, and showcase their work.
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Community Inclusion: Our programming emphasizes diversity and accessibility, ensuring that everyone in Orillia, including underrepresented groups, can engage with the arts.
Through these programs, we aim to enrich lives, inspire creative expression, and build a more connected and vibrant community.
Community Partnerships Our commitment to inclusion drives us to collaborate with local and regional organizations, including the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, Simcoe County District School Board, and Lakehead University. These partnerships bring arts education to schools and open the door to reconciliation and dialogue through the arts.
Community Based Youth Programs
Creative Youth Lab
Our community-based program is offered on Thursdays after school at the Orillia Youth Centre. Youth will participate in an afterschool lab learning to express themselves through digital art and design. Projects include meme creation, digital portraits, digital collage, and more.
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Thursdays 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Admission is FREE
Theatre, Advocacy, Creativity and Community
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Theatre as a tool for civic change​
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Engage in dramatic games and exercises to address community issues.
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Creative Projects: Develop performance pieces for potential presentation.
In School Workshops
We are dedicated to enriching students’ learning experiences through dynamic and inclusive art workshops. Our diverse offerings integrate dance, storytelling, theatre, and eco-art to cultivate creativity, cultural understanding, and social awareness in students from grades 1 to 12. Explore our engaging programs designed to inspire young minds and foster a deeper appreciation for the arts and their cultural contexts.
Reach out today to Arts Orillia; we will come to your school and join students for a Transformative Educational Experience!
Global Steps: Dance and Cultural Education
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Black History Month (Grade 7 -12)
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Asian Heritage Month (Grade 4, 5 & 6)
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National Indigenous History Month (Grade 1-12)
Inventing Utopia: Empowering Youth Voices
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Storytelling Workshop: (Grades 9 & 10)
Focus: Diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Artist Residencies
Dance&Design (Residency)
Dance&Design is an artist’s residency program that supports collaborative research between movement artists and designers. Artists are offered resources to deeply investigate their creative process with specific focus on sound, costume, lighting, projection, or set design.
Applicants are invited to propose one project to collaborate with a designer of their choice. Lead artists must be Ontario-based.
Festivals
The Gathering Festival of First Nations Stories is a unique annual event that celebrates Indigenous storytelling and fosters reconciliation through cultural exchange. Held in partnership with the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, the festival features performances, workshops, and discussions led by Indigenous artists, elders, and community leaders. It highlights resilience, the significance of land, and the wisdom of Indigenous traditions, creating a space for learning and healing. The festival also includes interactive sessions for youth and community members to deepen cultural understanding.
The Orillia Jazz Festival, an annual event, has been celebrating jazz music in Orillia for years, bringing together world-class musicians and fostering local talent. Held at the historic Orillia Opera House, the festival showcases renowned jazz artists like Caity Gyorgy and Thompson Egbo-Egbo Trio, while also providing opportunities for youth performers to learn and participate. With its deep-rooted connection to the community, the festival blends professional artistry with educational outreach, continuing to inspire jazz enthusiasts of all ages.
Future Fest is a multi-day event hosted by Arts Orillia that explores the intersection of creativity, technology, and sustainability. It features talks, performances, and exhibits from artists, scientists, and thought leaders who address the pressing issues of our time, like climate change and innovation. The event includes interactive experiences such as eco-art installations, physical theatre, and expert discussions designed to inspire action and reflection on the future.