News Release
2/24/2019
From redesigning how data is collected to arts and culture expos, students came up with innovative ideas to help build the profile of the local arts and culture scene in York Region.
Grade 11 and 12 students from nine different schools spent the day with local artists and arts organizations, arts entrepreneurs and representatives from the Town of Newmarket at the Old Town Hall. They learned about the range of career pathways available in the Arts and developed their own ideas to help promote the arts and culture scene in York Region.
“It was a great day. I learned a lot about arts and culture careers in York Region and met other arts and culture students like me,” said Kevin Joseph, student at Tommy Douglas S.S.
Organized with the Town of Newmarket and the York Region Arts Council, this event is one of several the Board is offering this year in collaboration with community organizations to support innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship training for Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) students.
“For students interested in exploring a career in the Arts, this is a great opportunity to be creative, to connect and collaborate with Arts professionals, and to learn more about the wide range of options open to them,” said Corrie McBain, Chair of York Region District School Board.
“We are so proud of the passion and innovative ideas our students bring to an event like this. In problem solving with community partners and decision makers, they are gaining valuable experience and developing skills that will help them to be successful now and in the future,” said Louise Sirisko, Director of Education, York Region District School Board.
“Arts and culture are integral in creating a vibrant, resilient and sustainable community. It is important that we educate and engage our youth in the arts and culture scene in Newmarket, as they will help to set the stage for a future that is well beyond the ordinary,” said Mayor John Taylor, Town of Newmarket.
“Working with students to explore career pathways in the arts at this pivotal stage in their education and career development sets the foundation for developing the next generation of artistic leaders in our community and abroad,” said Samantha Wainberg, Executive Director of York Region Arts Council.
Specialist High Skills Major programs let students experience a range of customized, career-focused learning opportunities while working towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. YRDSB has 33 secondary schools offering over 100 separate programs that represent different sectors of the economy, including arts and culture, business, and health and wellness.
York Region District School Board is the third largest school district in Ontario with over 124,000 students in 177 elementary schools and 33 secondary schools. York Region students consistently perform above average in provincial testing and the Board is one of the top achievers in Ontario. For more information about York Region District School Board, please visit the Board website and follow @YRDSB on Twitter.
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