North York Arts

North York Arts Uplifting Artists, Celebrating Communities.

North York Arts is working in collaboration with North York City Councillors, and the City’s Culture Division to foster arts programming and engagement in North York. North York Arts offers marketing and promotion services, networking and community development workshops, programming, and administrative support to the North York arts community.

10/09/2026

Thank you for joining us at Nuit Blanche at the MAC! 🌟🌙

This night wouldn’t have been possible without the community who chose to make us a part of their Nuit Blanche experience.

Whether you performed at our open mic, were a local vendor, volunteer, or just stopping to explore the art and activities, you made this night in North York a memorable one. 🧡

Shout out to everyone who stepped up to our open mic stage to share their talents, and a special thank you to our amazing Back to Back at the MAC artists who brought their energy and artistry throughout the night! 🎙️🙌

Patrick C. Walters
Sanjukta Banerjee, PhD.
Casey G.
The Shop
Vicky Wang
Shelly Grace

Thank you to our partners at TO Live who made Nuit Blanche at the MAC possible and for all their support. ✨

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Video footage support by:
Sherry
Emily Jaanvi | Content Creator
Ara Yahya

Welcoming a new Indigenous led mural here in North York! 🖼️🎨'The Guiding Place' is a mural created by Morgan Kagesheonga...
09/30/2026

Welcoming a new Indigenous led mural here in North York! 🖼️🎨

'The Guiding Place' is a mural created by Morgan Kagesheongai (Waskwane Designs), an Anishinaabe-Ojibwe artist from Whitefish River First Nation and a graduate of Seneca College’s Illustration program.

As community viewed the artwork and enjoyed some cedar tea and Three Sisters stew, this event was also a time for acknowledgement and reflection. 🌱

As we observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we remember and honour Survivors, acknowledge the intergenerational impact of the Residential School system, and continue to educate ourselves and question, “As a non-Indigenous organization, what can we do to support the process of decolonization and build the right relations with Indigenous communities?”

This unveiling was more than welcoming a new Indigenous-led mural. It is a celebration of Indigenous voice, culture, and creativity reclaiming a space right here in our neighbourhood.

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You can learn more about the mural in the artists' statement below:

"The land remembers our journey as the spirits guide us home. Mapwork of North York places Gibson house in history alongside the natural home of its predecessors, linking our communities. Water bridges our physical connection to our shared passage through time, sustaining our life force and shared lineage. Leaders work internally to guide good relationships across all living things for a sustainable future as dawn begins to break in its never ending cycle. A physical place with an acknowledged history supports our journey forward."

- Waskwane Designs

You can visit 'The Guiding Place' mural in front of Gibson House Museum now until 2028.

📍 Location: Gibson House Museum, 5172 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M2N 5P6

Join us for a hands-on fibre arts workshop led by artist and disability advocate, Elizabeth (Liz) McCready, as part of t...
09/29/2026

Join us for a hands-on fibre arts workshop led by artist and disability advocate, Elizabeth (Liz) McCready, as part of the Creative Minds program series. 🧵 🪡 🧶

In this accessible and welcoming session, participants will learn how to weave a mini wheelchair bag using a frame loom. Through fibre arts, Liz will introduce accessible tools and techniques while exploring different ways of learning, creating, and working.

📅 When: October 11
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Where: Meeting Room 101, North York Central Library - 5120 Yonge St, North York

*This event is not hosted by or sponsored by the Toronto Public Library*

The workshop is designed to accommodate and celebrate diverse ways of learning and making, offering participants an opportunity to develop new weaving skills, connect with others, and engage in a creative practice that supports wellness and self-expression. 🎨 🖌️

🔗 You can register for the workshop using the link - https://www.northyorkarts.org/project/fibre-arts-x-disability-arts/

Workshop Capacity: 14 participants

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*Priority given to North York residents, with a focus on Diasbled and/or Neurodivergent individuals.

Accessibility accommodations are available upon request, within capacity.

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Image Description: A workshop poster featuring bold black lettering reading 'Fibre Arts x Disability Arts.' Text below it announces that the workshop will be held at Meeting Room 101 in North York Central Library on October 11 from 11 AM to 3 PM, and limited spot priority will be given to those disabilities. Surrounding the lettering and text are sketch-like illustrations of orange stars, sewing tools in dark grey and orange, and a pair of characters of a wheel chair user and a leg-amputee. Logos are presented at the bottom from left to right as North York Arts, Tangled Art + Disability, and Textile Museum of Canada.

09/29/2026

🌙🎨 Make the Meridian Arts Centre part of your Nuit Blanche Toronto adventure!⁠
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This Nuit Blanche, the Meridian Arts Centre (MAC) comes alive after hours with art, performance, music, movement and a celebration of local creativity—all night long.⁠
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Presented by TO Live in partnership with North York Arts, explore a full lineup of experiences throughout the MAC:⁠
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🎤 Back to Back at the MAC | 7 PM–1 AM⁠
Take the Studio Theatre stage for five minutes—or sit back and see what happens when Toronto gets spontaneous.⁠
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🛍️ Midnight Marketplace | 7 PM–7 AM⁠
Shop handmade goods and discover local artists and small businesses throughout the night.⁠
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🎨 Iman Bhatti Exhibit | 7 PM–7 AM⁠
Explore a mixed-media project examining cultural resiliency and the representation of Muslim women.⁠
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🎧 Silent Disco | 7 PM–1 AM⁠
Grab a pair of headphones and dance into the night with multiple genres and generations coming together.⁠
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🌳 Jordan Shaw | 7 PM–7 AM⁠
Discover a sculptural installation weaving together nostalgia, technology, inherited craft and memory.⁠
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🧘 Yogalates | 6–7 AM⁠
Welcome the morning with gentle movement, mindful breathing and reflection. Bring your own mat.⁠
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📍 Meridian Arts Centre (5040 Yonge St.)⁠
🗓️ Saturday, October 3 at 7 PM – Sunday, October 4 at 7 AM⁠
🔗 https://tolive.com/Event-Details-Page/reference/Nuit-Blanche-2026
🎟️ FREE⁠
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Stay up late, discover something unexpected and experience a night of creativity and community right here in Yonge North York. ✨⁠
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09/24/2026

Almost a week left until Nuit Blanche comes back to the Meridian Arts Centre! 🌟

Presented in partnership with TO Live, come enjoy the atmosphere of the North York community and stop by the MAC on October 3rd from 7PM to 7AM to explore a variety of activities, including:

🎨 Featured artworks by Jordan Shaw and Iman Bhatti 
🎙️ Local artist performances and audience open mics from 7pm to 1am
🛍️ A local vendor market 
🪩 A groovy silent disco 
🧘 Yogalates from 6am to 7am

Let’s make some memories North York!

What could it be? 👀🖼️Our team has been working behind the scenes to install something special for this weekend. Join us ...
09/23/2026

What could it be? 👀🖼️

Our team has been working behind the scenes to install something special for this weekend.

Join us this Saturday, September 26th for the unveiling of the new Art Connects, Indigenous-led mural created by Waskwane Designs.

During the afternoon, you can look forward to:

🌱 The 2026 Art Connects mural unveiling
🌱 An artist talk featuring Morgan of Waskwane Designs
🌱 Enjoy a bowl of Three Sisters soup and warm Cedar tea
🌱 And connect with the community for the afternoon!

📆When: Saturday, September 26th
📍Where: Gibson House Museum, 5172 Yonge St, North York
🕐Time: 2PM-4PM

🎟️ You can get your FREE tickets to the unveiling through Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/unveiling-art-connects-2026-tickets-2001069319201

So what do you think is behind the curtain? 🖼️🎨

Meet your featured artists for Back-to-Back at the MAC! 🎙️🪩Presented in partnership with TO Live, join us during Nuit Bl...
09/17/2026

Meet your featured artists for Back-to-Back at the MAC! 🎙️🪩

Presented in partnership with TO Live, join us during Nuit Blanche on October 3rd from 7PM-1AM for performances by our line up of local artists:

⭐️ PATRICK WALTERS - Host, Poet and Community Speaker

Patrick Walters is a recording artist and community speaker, originally from the small Caribbean nation of St. Kitts & Nevis, who is dedicated to the art of storytelling. His work is a constant reminder to us to never give up on our own hopes and dreams, even in the face of the harsh realities of the world we live in.

⭐️ SANJUKTA BANERJEE - Dance Performance

Dr. Sanjukta Banerjee is an award-winning Indo-Canadian dancer, choreographer, and
educator renowned for her dynamic stage presence and excellence in Bharatanatyam,
Mohiniyattam, and Kathakali. She has captivated audiences across India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.

⭐️ CASEY GARCIA - Poetry and Performance

Casey Garcia is a 27-year-old recording and performing artist with a deep passion for poetic
songwriting. Known for his thought-provoking lyrical style, he draws inspiration from personal experiences to craft vivid, emotionally resonant narratives.

⭐️ THE SHOP - Jazz Quintet

The Shop is a Toronto-based jazz quintet forging its path in Canada’s jazz scene. Blending jazz with gospel, R&B, pop-punk, and African rhythmic and melodic sensibilities, the band bridges tradition and innovation. The ensemble features Bureh Bollo-Kamara (guitar), Connor Moe (saxophones & flutes), Omar Gittens (drums), Racha Moukalled (vibraphone), and Carlo Santo Domingo (bass).

⭐️ VICKY WANG - Live Portrait Experience

Vicky Wang is a Chinese-Canadian artist from Toronto whose work explores connection, community, and the shared human experience. Through drawing people, she draws people together—creating interactive artworks that transform spectators into participants.

⭐️ RJ Barduhn - Spoken Word

RJ Barduhn (she/her) is a Q***r Afro-Jamaican and German poet/writer and collage artist from Ontario, Canada. She started writing poetry and stories since childhood and hasn’t stopped since. RJ loves exploring various themes with Caribbean culture, queerness, social justice and much more.

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WERE YOU THINKING ABOUT TAKING THE STAGE FOR THE NIGHT?

During Back to Back at the MAC, audience members can take the stage for 5-10 minutes! 🎤🌙

Interested performers can sign-up on the day of the event by checking-in at the table in front of the theatre to book an available open mic slot between 7PM and 1AM.

*Performance slots are booked on a first come, first serve basis!

So will we be seeing you there? 👀🎙️

Join us for the grand unveiling of the new Art Connects mural created by Indigenous artist, Morgan of Waskwane Designs! ...
09/15/2026

Join us for the grand unveiling of the new Art Connects mural created by Indigenous artist, Morgan of Waskwane Designs! 🎨🌿

This year, leading up to a September 2026 launch, we commissioned a new artwork to be created in consultation with local community members. Rooted in community engagement and collaboration, the mural reflects the voices, stories, and spirit of the community while celebrating Indigenous creativity, culture, and connection.

Join us on September 26th and come enjoy:

⭐ The 2026 Art Connects mural unveiling
⭐ An artist talk featuring Morgan of Waskwane Designs
⭐ Indigenous food and beverages
⭐ And more!

📆When: Saturday, September 26th
📍Where: Gibson House Museum, 5172 Yonge St, North York
🕐Time: 2PM-4PM

🎟️ You can get your FREE tickets to the unveiling by heading to our Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/unveiling-art-connects-2026-tickets-2001069319201

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ABOUT WASKWANE DESIGNS

Morgan Kagesheongai is an Anishinaabe-Ojibwe from Whitefish River First Nation and a graduate of Seneca College’s Illustration program.

They live and work in the GTA as a multiple-disciplinary artist and workshop facilitator for a wide breadth of individual clientele and community led organizations. They animate short films, draw comics, make paintings, create murals and design for print and web.

As an Indigenous person, they aspire to bring their cultural understanding and historical knowledge into the forefront of their work, taking on projects that can act as a vehicle for their stories, practices and unique understanding.

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ABOUT ART CONNECTS

Art Connects is an ongoing initiative that started in 2019 to address North York Arts’ (NYA) role in Truth and Reconciliation. As North York Arts builds programs, partnerships, and relationships, we continue to ask ourselves “As a non-Indigenous organization, what can we do to support the process of decolonization and build right relations with Indigenous communities?”

Let's come together to celebrate Indigenous art and the community! 🎉

WE ARE SO BACK!🎙️🪩 Back-to-Back at the MAC is making its return for Nuit Blanche this October. Presented in partnership ...
09/10/2026

WE ARE SO BACK!🎙️🪩 Back-to-Back at the MAC is making its return for Nuit Blanche this October.

Presented in partnership with TO Live, we will be featuring performances from six local artists, but YOU can have a chance to take the stage and show what you got!

📆When: Saturday, October 3rd, 2026
📍Where: The Meridian Arts Centre (5040 Yonge Street, North York)
🕐Time: 7PM-1AM

You can learn more about the event on our website at https://www.northyorkarts.org/project/nuit-blanche-2026

See below for more info on how to perform on stage, and stay tuned for our line up of featured local artists for the night! 🌟

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HOW CAN I SIGN-UP TO PERFORM?

There will be many opportunities throughout the night for anyone to take the stage for 5-10 minutes!

Audience members who wish to perform can check-in at the table in front of the theatre to book an available open mic slot on the day of the event.

🕐 Sign-ups for open mic slots will be held for the duration of the event, 7PM to 1AM, on a first come, first serve basis.

Once you book your time slot, we recommend coming in at least 15-30 minutes prior to prepare and (if applicable) have any personal equipment (ex. instruments, props, etc) ready before your performance!

Are you ready to take the stage for the night? 👀🌙

Wrapping up our Summer Guest Artist program, Zere shares her finished painting and an inspiring blog post reflecting dee...
08/25/2026

Wrapping up our Summer Guest Artist program, Zere shares her finished painting and an inspiring blog post reflecting deeply on what it means to her. 🖼️🎨

Here's a sneak peak of it:

"It was a great experience to have my first-ever artist residency. I had the opportunity to think deeply about my project and what I wanted to explore during the residency. When I first started thinking about what this project could be, I realized that this August marks my five-year anniversary of moving to Toronto. I have decided to celebrate it by creating an oil painting called 'Looking Back, Moving Forward'...
..Now, at 23, I am still young, but when I look back, I realize how much I have changed... "

You can read Zere's full blog post on our website at https://www.northyorkarts.org/2026/08/zere-abylgazina-guest-artist-blog

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You can keep up with Zere's artistic journey and projects through her social media on Instagram:

Thank you for following Zere's guest artist journey, and we hope you continue to support her work! 🧡✨

Address

5040 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M2N6R8

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16474776059

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