The Youth Cultural Incubators Stabilization Initiative (YCISI) strengthens the capacity of Toronto’s youth-led and youth-serving arts and culture organizations. Through funding and workshops, YCISI builds sustainability, encourages growth and fosters leadership within the youth arts sector.
Not-for-profit organizations can apply for Mentee or Mentor funding for three consecutive years. To help align program outcomes with proposed goals, successful applicants are provided with Method Collective’s YCISI: Shifting from Resiliency to Sustainability report and Executive Summary. The report was developed after a series of focused sessions with the initial cohort of funding recipients.
Through the current YCISI funding cycle, AstroSankofa, BAM Collective, JAYU, Kick Start Arts Society, Kickback, LIL SIS, Next Generation Arts, SoundStock Academy and Stay Golden are being supported through the mentee stream. The Remix Project, RISE Arts & Community Services, SKETCH Working Arts, Unity Charity and VIBE Arts are receiving funds through the mentor stream. Collectively, the organizations are coming together quarterly to participate in cohort learning sessions.