Almost 900 children between the ages of 6 and 18 have received scholarships to attend the Arts School since the school opened its doors in 1993. The Arts Scholarship Fund is proud to offer support to deserving young people who would otherwise not have the opportunity to pursue artistic excellence under the guidance of professional artists.

It is amazing what a child feels when his or her unique, creative voice is given an outlet, and when he or she shares in the joy of creating in a positive and supportive environment.

Consider making a donation to the Arts Scholarship Fund and a charitable receipt will be issued. There are three easy ways to donate:

• use our secure online form
• check off the donation box on the Avenue Road Arts School registration form when signing up for a course
• mail us a cheque.

Find out more about the Scholarship Fund and how to donate.

Architecture model created by a 14 year old scholarship recipient who has benefitted from the Scholarship Program.

Are you finding it difficult to dedicate 10-12 weeks to a program because of a hectic work or family schedule? Perhaps you are interested in taking an intensive and specialized program with other like-minded individuals? Or maybe you're just looking for something a little different? ARAS will soon be presenting its Special Programming Series!

Watch for these innovative programs:

ARAS Workshop Series - includes one, two or three meeting workshops covering many mediums and approaches, as well as themed classes for Halloween and Winter Break.

ARAS Lecture & Talk Back Series - includes specific lectures and workshops geared to new parents, singles, teens, those embarking on a professional art career and more.

Watch for a schedule of events soon to be available at the School and on this site. Want to be added to a Special Programming mailing list? Call 416-961-1502 or email us.

This fall, the Avenue Road Arts School's adult students' art work will go on display, and be sold, at two favourite neighbourhood restaurants. Drop by Grano at 2035 Yonge Street and enjoy Roberto Marcello's mouth-watering Italian food while feasting your eyes on some fine artistic masterpieces. And, in a couple of months, Forest Hill's much loved Mashu Mashu Mediterranean Grill at 387 Spadina Road will be host to a whole other show.

ARAS is redoubling its efforts to find respected venues as a backdrop for our students' remarkable work. The School is building on the positive response to the June Student Art Show at the Women's Art Association where comments about the professional quality of the work were heard again and again. Many students are now showing at Queen Street galleries and elsewhere. They have been inspired and coached by ARAS' gifted faculty members. It is an honour for the school to continue to provide guidance and inspiration to these accomplished men and women.

Students interested in showing their work, or wishing to suggest other venues should contact School Curator, Kristina D'Angelo at kristina@avenueroadartsschool.com. Please provide digital images and suggested prices of the work you would like the public to see. And, to be kept abreast of every exhibit, please ensure that the school has your current email address. A portion of the sale proceeds will be donated to The Arts Scholarship Fund. (see column at left)

Visit our Upcoming Events page throughout the year for updates on these exhibits and more.

Scene from Cinderella, performed by the ARAS Musical Theatre Company

The Arts School has been chosen as one of the best theatre schools in Toronto by City Parent readers. In addition to the high quality, term-by-term classes, the recent success of the Advanced Theatre Company Program productions have showcased the many talents that the School has to offer. The School has been producing plays and musicals like Annie, Cinderella, Into the Woods, Seussical, Footloose, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, The Twits, and others, at the Al Green and George Ignatieff Theatres for the past four years.

Members of the ARAS Young Drama Company (grades 5-9) and the ARAS Musical Theatre Company (grades 8-12) are chosen through an audition/interview process. Parents have asked, "Why should we choose the ARAS Theatre Company Program over any other?" ARAS' Advanced Theatre Programs are highly specialized and unique, offering a professional company setting to selected cast members.

Our theatre company programs:

• are the only year round, professional young companies of their kind in the GTA.
• offer small cast sizes, which means all actors are featured in each performance.
• ARAS does not hire professional actors to give performances a more polished appearance. We believe in the talents and abilities of our selected, young cast members.
• perform two shows per year, at professional venues with house sizes as large as 280 seats.
• work on fully scripted pieces that challenge all cast members.

Call 416-961-1502 to book an audition or visit the audition information page for more information.

Congratulations to all the students who exhibited art work at the Women's Art Association this past June for 460 Degrees of the Avenue Road Arts School - the School's 1st annual Adult Student Art Exhibit. Special thanks to everyone who helped make it possible - the faculty, the staff and Curator, Kristina D'Angelo. Here are just some of the images that were on display!

Apples & Grapes, oil on canvas, Artist: Erwin Rummel Class: Classical Painting Techniques with Klaas Hendrik Hart

Mrs. King's Garden, watercolour, Artist: Bob McLean Class: Painting from Photographs with Linda Kooluris Dobbs

Untitled, 14"x12", acrylic on canvas, Artist: Janice Wright Class: Acrylic Painting I with Martha Johnson