Ayva is a young artist currently in grade 7. Below is an interview she gave during a youthLEADarts after school program that speaks to why art is so important to her and why it can be also be inspiring and...

It was a stunning, sunny day and young art-trepreneur, Jules, just about to graduate to high school, had planned her work and was working her plan!  Jules has always loved art and the act of creating. I met her when...

It was a great sunny day at Little Harbour Community Centre in Nova Scotia when youthLEADarts welcomed community partner EastCut’s Senior Sawyer, Robert Ennis to lead a birdhouse making workshop.   The youth were completely engaged and completed the task on...

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt As graduation approaches and summer stretches ahead, youth at Britannia Elementary are well equipped to follow their dreams into the future.  Taking part in youthLEADarts...

“Spring is where all things seem possible.” Joyce Carol Oates Youth mentor in training, Johnny Baker MacDonald led his very first opening circle this past week with youthLEADarts and inspired the kids to take ACTION. Johnny also introduced some team...

There is so much more to life than meets the eye if you choose to seek it. The seeker becomes the finder, the finder of so much more than we thought was possible. — Wim Hof This spring, over the course...

Thanks to Deirdre Potash for the inspired program description below. Over the past few weeks, youth at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School in Quebec, have participated in an interdisciplinary arts project that encouraged them to explore environmental awareness through visual...

The story below was written by Zora and Ravi White, two youth from Quebec who are lving the LEAD values. They are an inspiration to everyone! Submitted by Deirdre Potash Greetings! My name is Zora White, and I live in...

Poetry month is coming to an end, and while some treat it as another month and others treat it as a month of reflecting on literature, what does this month actually signify?  Poetry month was founded in 1998 aiming to...

You’ve probably heard of Earth Day—but have you ever wondered why it actually matters? It’s more than just a day about the environment—it’s about the future we all share. Every action we take today—big or small—ripples into the world our...

Some days, everything just feels… off. You wake up tired, even if you slept. You don’t feel like talking to anyone, but you also don’t want to be alone. Little things annoy you more than they should, and your mind...

In celebration of National Poetry Month, we are featuring poetry and photos written and taken by youth at Britannia Elementary in Vancouver and across Canada. Youth at Britannia participated in a week long LEAD program in January 2026, supported by...

YouthLEADarts Inc. Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Members NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Members of youthLEADarts Inc (the “Corporation”) is called for and will be held electronically via Zoom videoconferencing on Wednesday, April 1st,...

April is a volunteer extraordinaire! We are especially grateful that she has been leading jewelry and crocheting workshops for youth in Lismore. Because she knows that budgets are tight, April put together individual kits for each participant and provided all...

This week marked the opening of “An East Side Story” a public exhibit featuring photographs and poetry by grade 6 and 7 students at Britannia Elementary. There was laughter, joy, celebration and pride.  The exhibition followed on the heels of...

Save the date! Join us for this dynamic exhibit opening and reception on Wednesday, February 25th at Britannia Library in Vancouver. “An East Side Story” was created during a week-long program with youthLEADarts in January, and made possible through the...

The article below was written by Brooklyn Earl, a grade 9 student and graduate of youthLEADarts programs. Unexpected things can happen in theatre. For example, I was recently in a production of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and on show night...

This blog post was conceived of and written by youth contributor Devan Grewal, a grade 9 student in Burnaby, BC.  The new year is here and so are our long lists of resolutions (resolutions that, let’s be honest, usually fail)....

Devan Grewal is a grade 9 student in British Columbia who regularly contributes to the youthLEADarts blog.  Remembrance Day has come and gone and I hope everyone took some time to reflect. If you don’t know why we have this...

As we pause to remember all of the sacrifices made for our freedom today, Devan Grewal, youth contributor shares the award winning poem that he submitted to the Royal Canadian Legion Literary contest last year when he was in grade...

youthLEADarts in Nova Scotia is partnering with Lismore and District Community Centre for their Trunk or Treat event happening on Halloween night, October 31st from 5:30pm-8pm.  This is the second year that youthLEADarts will be providing hot chocolate and hot...

Who doesn’t love edible art? With ghosts, ghouls, tricks and treats on their minds as they count the days until Halloween, Lismore youth made rice ‘creepy’ treats at their gathering last week. Local community chef, Lesley McDuff dropped in to...

This article was written by Devan Grewal, a grade 9 student living in the Greater Vancouver area. Bullying. Some of us have experienced it, some of us haven’t, but almost all of us know it’s not right.  Even if you...

It’s October and great things are brewing at youthLEADarts Nova Scotia! youthLEADarts is excited to partner with the Merigomish Area Recreation and Social Association for a Music Bingo Fundraiser with host Jason Roy on Saturday, October 4th! How does Music...

Devan Grewal is a fourteen-year-old student and youth blog contributor from Burnaby, BC. and the author of this post. I was inspired to write this poem because of how fast time flies! It feels like just yesterday I was going to...

The LEAD summer rec program in Lismore Nova Scotia wrapped up last week with a pizza party and youth volunteer appreciation day! Lismore Summer Rec staff and I handed out certificates and small gift packs to LEAD youth. I presented...

“The LEAD summer camps that Shelley MacDonald and Melanie McDuff have been running for youth in Nova Scotia make my heart happy. Their young people’s smiles say it all. The impact is evident. The many volunteer hours that were put...

Devan Grewal is a fourteen-year-old student and youth blog contributor from Burnaby, BC. and the author of this post. Community is a place where you feel accepted and safe and share something in common with the people around you such as...

This article was written by Brooklyn Earl. She will be going into grade 9 in the fall. My name is Brooklyn, and I am a youthLEADarts graduate who has now become a volunteer.  I started with youthLEADarts in grade 7. When I started, I thought it was going to...

The youthLEADarts Midsummer Soirée  yesterday was a smashing success! We opened a few doors, generated awareness about LEAD’s impact on young people across Canada and heard musical and spoken word performances from up-and-coming youth from coast to coast.  Thank you...

This post was entirely created and written by youth author and blog contributor Devan Grewal. I was inspired to write this poem on leadership because there are many leaders in our community that are not recognized and do not get...

Hi friends! The youthLEADarts Summer Fundraising Soirée is only 8 days away! Join us to meet some of our young LEADers from across Canada and be entertained by some dynamic young artists from Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia. Help...

Meet some of the wonderful volunteers who are making this an extra special summer for rural youth in Nova Scotia. Programs are running weekdays in Lismore from July 7th to August 22nd.  Johnny Baker MacDonald has been a part of the youthLEADarts...

Last week youth in Nova Scotia spent the week planning and prepping for the Lismore summer Recreation program that began July 7th and will run until Aug 22nd 2025. Wednesday, as part of their training, youth achieved certification in First...

youthLEADarts is excited to welcome Brooklyn and Devan as contributors to our blog. They are volunteering to write several stories over the summer and beyond, offering insight into what youth are thinking, feeling and responding to in the world around...

The Project: Youth at Britannia Elementary in British Columbia needed to raise funds to cover the expenses of their grade seven exchange trip between their class and a class of youth from Ontario. (This was no small feat as the funds...

Please join us on July 22nd at 7-8 PM Eastern for our on-line mid-summer fundraiser! There will be outstanding entertainment provided by youth coast to coast, door prizes and an opportunity to learn about and support underserved youth in LEAD programs across...

At youthLEADarts we are honoured and blessed to work side by side with Indigenous Elders, Story Keepers and artists from many nations across Turtle Island and to have the support of the Vancouver School Board’s Indigenous Education Department.  We are...

It was a windy, rainy day at Lismore Beach in Nova Scotia on June 8th for World Oceans Day but that didn’t stop the Lismore youthLEADarts crew from lending a helping hand.  They collected over 200 lobster bands and 8...

May is a time for planting seeds. The seeds of mentorship through the arts continues to grow here in Nova Scotia in our Lismore and Little Harbour programs thanks to Quebec LEAD artist Deirdre Potash who provided the inspiration for...

This Earth Day as we think of nurturing our planet…make space for a little green. Don’t let the concrete hold you back. Wise thoughts from Desmond, grade seven, who created this artful message during the LEAD program in Vancouver. The...

Culture is the heart of the inner city. Here, Brooklyn, grade 7, acknowledges how Indigenous culture has deep roots in her east side community. Tip of the Scale By: Brooklyn Culture. Longhouses are the foundation of our community. The majority...

If you are a youth and are going to be in the Lismore area this summer, please consider joining our team! Information below.

In the Vancouver LEAD program, youth at Britannia, an inner-city school, explored their world through photography and language. They sought out metaphors for their community. Eli’s depth of concern for his neighbours shines through in both his photo and poem....

Through the voices and images of our youth, we at youthLEADarts continue to celebrate National Poetry Month. Pascal’s original words and photograph highlight the need to leave space in our days to calm down and catch our collective breath. The...

Established in Canada in 1998 by the League of Canadian Poets, National Poetry Month takes place every April and brings together lovers of poetry from across the country to celebrate poetry’s vital place in Canada’s culture. We, at youthLEADarts, are...

This year’s LEAD program at Britannia Elementary School, a designated inner-city school on Vancouver’s East Side, asked youth to capture photos that were metaphors for their community.  Each photo in their gallery-worthy compilation tells a story, produces a commentary on...

Theatre is more than memorizing scripts, wearing costumes and role play. Augusto Boal said, “Theatre is the art of looking at ourselves.”  Christian Bale says, “Theatre has got to do with putting yourself in other people’s shoes and seeing how...

Melanie McDuff is a culinary artist and our youth mentor for youthLEADarts Nova Scotia.  Earlier this month, in both Lismore and Little Harbour, she shared her creative process and skills with youth, guiding them as they designed their own, themed...

World Poetry Day, March 21, was established by the United Nations in Paris in 1999 to promote poets around the world as well as the reading, writing and teaching of poetry worldwide. The theme this year is “Poetry as a...

The youthLEADarts Nova Scotia team has a new youth mentor! Johnny Baker MacDonald stepped up during our March Break sessions to support Melanie McDuff, our youth LEADer deliver a Fun with Food workshop at both Lismore Hall and Little Harbour. Johnny was...

YouthLEADarts Inc. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBERS NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Members of youthLEADarts Inc (the “Corporation”) is called for and will be held electronically...

“Using the LEAD values—Listen, Empathize, Act, and Drive—we empower all youth across Canada (Turtle Island) with self-confidence, character, and hope to lead positive change in themselves and their communities.” youthLEADarts Inc Mission Statement.  If the week-long LEAD program at Britannia...

Thanks to a grant from CLICK, Mr. B’s grade 7 class at Britannia Elementary in Vancouver experienced a week-long journey with this year’s LEAD mentors Candice Halls Howcroft, David Lyle, Damian Rumph and myself, a program designed to empower youth...

Born in Suzhou, China, Lewis Fang is currently a 12th grade student at The Hun School of Princeton and a Pre-college student at The Juilliard School. He started playing the piano at age 4.  In 2015, Lewis immigrated to Vancouver,...

Born in Suzhou, China, 17-year-old Farrah Chuqi Fang is currently a 12th grade student at The Hun School of Princeton, NJ.  She started singing at 7 years old with teacher Ms. Shi in Suzhou, China. She immigrated to Vancouver, Canada with...

Mel and I are really enjoying our time with the youth in Little Harbour, Nova Scotia. Our empathy workshop went really well and we both feel inspired by the empathy and kindness demonstrated by these young people.  It gives us...

Lismore youthLEADarts was a rocking this past week when local musicians Vivi Chediac (Director Carillon Singers, Music Director Lismore Springtime Review) and Steve Guthro (Percussion, guitar, singer performer Lismore Springtime Review) and Vic (Steve’s friend who joined us on electric...

This year over 20,000 people gathered for the centennial anniversary of the Victory Square Remembrance Day ceremony in Vancouver, B.C., and Kari Wang was there.  She was selected from thousands of students as the winner of this year’s Cam Cathcart...

It’s official! youthLEADarts Inc now has charitable status! Please join us to celebrate this landmark at an on-line arts soirée on Wednesday, December 4th at 7 pm Eastern. There will be special guest entertainers, interactive visual arts activities with Deirdre...

Today, together we share the loss of a truly great Canadian, Justice Murray Sinclair. All of Canada can thank him forever for his work in bringing us to Truth and Reconciliation. With his work completed, he passed us the torch....

youthLEADarts is expanding into more communities in rural Nova Scotia. This past Thursday night was the first night of youthLEADarts programs in Little Harbour, a picturesque and friendly seaside town in Pictou County with a strong need for youth programming....

Everyone loves a good Halloween gathering!  All set up at youthLEADarts Lismore for a Spooktacular evening of pumpkin carving and mask painting. The food table was designed by youthLEADarts culinary artist and youth mentor Melanie McDuff.  Youth got ‘creepily’ creative,...

As the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer hit us, youth in Lismore, Nova Scotia are setting records. Shelley MacDonald has been volunteering her time to train, organize and set up the region’s only day program for children and youth...

Lismore youthLEADarts were excited to be a part of World Oceans Day on June 8th. In one hour our community gathered 820 lobster bands during our beach clean-up.  Leading the way was our very own LEADer, Adeline who gathered 221...

“We Are All Equal”, a video created by grade 7 and 8 students at Assikinack Elementary in Barrie, Ontario brings us a message of hope. In their own words, “We all belong, no matter how different. We are all heroes...

Youth Depression is Real!Grade 7 and 8 students at Assikinack Elementary in Barrie, Ontario recently completed a series of workshops both on line and in person with youthLEADarts Inc.  Tina Tucker Bye, one of the mentors noted, “Their lines of...

Article Written by: Trish De Luca The kids spent the afternoon diving deep into their dreams and desires, armed with scissors, glue sticks, and a whole lot of energy. They were on a mission—to continue crafting their vision boards. You...

For two weeks, youthLEADarts is running programs with grade 7 and 8 students at Assikinack Elementary in Barrie, Ontario. With the Seven Grandfather Teachings and LEAD values as guides, students are embossing self-portraits, writing poetry, exploring drama and making short...

Post Written by Trish DeLuca Hey there! A big shoutout to everyone who dropped by to support our After School Power Project Program at Britannia Elementary in Vancouver which began Wednesday, April 10th and will run for seven weeks. Special...

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBERS  NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Members of youthLEADarts Inc (the “Corporation”) is called for and will be held electronically via Zoom video conferencing on MONDAY, March 25th, 10:30 am...

This week, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, youthLEADarts Inc would like to feature and celebrate an incredible young woman, leader and community volunteer, Melanie McDuff.   Melanie is the heartbeat of youthLEADarts Inc Nova Scotia. Melanie has been volunteering at...

“A lot of the lessons that youthLEADarts teaches us in one week, resonate with us through the whole year.” Mr. Borsato, partnering classroom teacher.  The youth who made the video below, listed many take-aways when they reflected in our opening...

Grade 6 and 7 students at Britannia Elementary on Vancouver’s East Side, spent a week immersed in youthLEADarts programs. Here is another of the videos they wrote, edited, performed in and produced during that time. Their voices call us to...

Britannia’s Change Makers Grade 6 and 7 students at Britannia Elementary on Vancouver’s East Side, spent a week immersed in youthLEADarts programs. Here is one of several videos they wrote, edited, performed in and produced during that time. Their art,...

January’s youthLEADarts Nova Scotia drop-in program for youth aged 7-14 was a great success! An abundance of local community kids joined us for the Great Canadian Cupcake and Cookie Decorating Contest.   In teams, they created a company logo, poster, promotional...

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Edgar Degas The journey begins…with questions, with curiosity.  It begins, as Candice Halls-Howcroft of Squamish Nation puts it, by listening with two sets of ears, the ones on our...

Recently I asked some youthLEADarts students to write down their hopes, dreams and wishes for the world and youth like themselves in 2024, a new year. They hoped that everything would be good.  I asked what they meant and they...

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” – Edgar Degas Last week, youthLEADarts participants from Hastings Elementary in Vancouver celebrated as their exhibition, “Whale Tales: A Call to Action” opened at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum...

Today’s blog post is written by Marilyn Field, founder of youthLEADarts Inc. With the close of Arts Education week, perhaps now is the time for us all to empower our kids by simply setting the stage to let them play. ...

To wrap up International Arts in Education Week, we are pleased to have a contribution by guest blogger and author Simone Pertuiset.  Simone’s books are inspired by her own family’s stories: one about France (and travelling to Africa and South America) in...

This year has offered the unique opportunity for youth to display their art outside of their classrooms and in their communities.  In BC the self-portraits and poetry created by Britannia students graced the breezeway and public art space between the...

“At a time when challenges related to climate, peace, education and the future of our societies are converging, our need for the power of art – and for it to be made accessible to all through arts education – is...

May 22-26, 2023 is International Arts Education Week! Designated by UNESCO in 2012, the week celebrates the arts, in their diversity, and arts educators who play a critical role in fostering and transforming humanity.  International Arts Education Week aims at increasing the...

Last week, youth at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School in Quebec finished their youthLEADarts workshops with artist Deirdre Potash by completing 3D dioramas that capture the fragility of the ocean’s ecosystems and the importance of taking immediate action to maintain...

In April, youthLEADarts Lismore got together and explored leadership through cooking with Community Chef Lesley McDuff and youthLEADarts program mentor Melanie McDuff. Everyone had a role in baking cookies and making goulash. We had to listen to Chef Lesley, support...

Mi’kmaw Elder Albert D Marshall teaches us that we have a responsibility to take care of Mother Earth.  We are all connected.  Alan Syliboy, an established Mi’kmaw artist states, “The whale spirit animal is the world’s record keeper for all time....

“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in our hands to make a difference.” Nelson Mandela Can you learn to lead in a day? Can you listen closely enough that you absorb something new...

“The earth, the air, the land, and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from our children. So we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us.” –  Gandhi...

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBERS  NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Members of youthLEADarts Inc (the “Corporation”) is called for and will be held electronically via Zoom videoconferencing on MONDAY,...

Day 4…so much to share, so much to cover, so much to explore, and so much to complete. Today was exciting, involving, inspiring and full of life lessons through art, full of opportunities to answer the question Who Am I?...

Wow! What a day!  Today’s youthLEADarts program with Brunella Battista made this a three wow week so far! Connection, deep thinking, gift giving, collaboration, creativity, excitement, learning, portraits, emotional landscapes and four leaf clovers were woven into the day’s tapestry. ...

Yesterday we focused on listening; today we focused on empathy.  Day Two was a joyful, energetic, engaged and collaborative day led by seasoned television personality, David Lyle.  David brings his unique Indigenous voice to every show he performs on. Before he...

Elder Nk’xetko always brings her ‘best’ drum and her Journey Song when she visits. She asks everyone to reflect as they imagine paddling in a canoe together:  Where are you heading in your life, on your journey? Who is your support...

I am a polar bear. Dressed as a reindeer. At least I was this year. Other years I have embraced the new year ‘cold turkey’ wearing a turkey hat and a roasting pan (authors love visual jokes and plays on...

Service to others, giving back, volunteering, going where they are needed, inspiring others…youth in Lismore Nova Scotia are continually creating opportunities to demonstrate their leadership skills by giving the gift of kindness to others. Recently they served Christmas dinner to...