About V.O.I.C.E.S.
The V.O.I.C.E.S. (Visual Outreach Initiative Creating Empowered Students) program was developed in 2007 in collaboration with York Region District School Board to empower Grade 5 students socially and academically through art-based activities.
Although 2021 has been filled with significant challenges, the V.O.I.C.E.S. program proved to be resilient and continued as scheduled despite the multiple provincial lockdown orders. The McMichael’s firm commitment to the belief that art plays a pivotal role in children’s wellbeing and feeling of interconnectedness allowed us to persevere and provide an outlet of relief and creativity during turbulent times.
Exhibition of Student Work 2021
This year, the McMichael’s Creative Learning team offered the V.O.I.C.E.S. program to schools in both the York Region District School Board and the Toronto District Board, bringing this exciting opportunity to a total of 420 students from 23 different classes, ranging from Grades 3 – 6. The McMichael’s staff and volunteers delivered personalized art kits, comprised of the art materials and tools used throughout the program, to participating schools.
Over the course of six weeks, students worked in a virtual setting with McMichael Educators and professional artist Don Chretien from the comfort of their homes or classrooms. Students were able to explore the art of Canada and participate in activities and studio workshops that helped encouraged them to develop their creativity and leadership skills.
On behalf of the McMichael community, including the generous donors who made this amazing program possible during these extraordinary times, we congratulate the participants of the 2021 McMichael V.O.I.C.E.S. program! We’re pleased to present the students’ final projects in the virtual exhibitions below:
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 York Region District School Board to empower Grade 5 students socially and academically through art-based activities.
Although the last couple of years have been filled with significant challenges, the V.O.I.C.E.S. program proved to be resilient and continued as scheduled despite the multiple provincial lockdown orders. The McMichael’s firm commitment to the belief that art plays a pivotal role in children’s wellbeing and feeling of interconnectedness allowed us to persevere and provide an outlet of relief and creativity during turbulent times.
