V.O.I.C.E.S. Program
The V.O.I.C.E.S. (Visual Outreach Initiative Creating Empowered Students) program was developed in 2007 in collaboration with the York Region District School Board to empower Grade 5 students socially and academically through art-based activities.
The program encourages students to assert their personal voice in a social environment while exploring a new place and experimenting with new activities. In 2021, this leadership initiative expanded to Performance Plus and Model Schools in the York Region District School Board and the Toronto District School Board.
The McMichael’s firm commitment to the belief that art plays a pivotal role in children’s wellbeing and feeling of disconnectedness continues to be the driving force in providing an outlet of relief and creativity within the V.O.I.C.E.S. program.
Leaders of Tomorrow
The Leaders of Tomorrow program is an art-based initiative focusing on the development of leadership skills by empowering students in a social environment and fostering a space for confidence and creativity. The program was developed to create an inter-cultural exchange between students, artists, and Indigenous Elders through a variety of art and nature-based activities. Leaders of Tomorrow is delivered as weekly full-day sessions at the McMichael. The program is inspired by the V.O.I.C.E.S. program (Visual Outreach Initiative Creating Empowered Students), which is currently offered to schools in Y.R.D.S.B. and T.D.S.B.