Highlights 2024-2025 Academic Year
Arts Access Fund Impact Study
Program Highlights & Achievements
Student Engagement
Teachers consistently report increased student participation, confidence, and enthusiasm for creative expression—particularly among diverse and traditionally underserved learners.Skill Development
Students demonstrate growth in both technical art skills and subject knowledge. Many projects are assessed with cross-disciplinary rubrics that evaluate both academic and artistic results.Teacher Collaboration
Artist educators work in partnership with teachers to support differentiated instruction and reinforce classroom learning objectives.English Language Arts Integration
Students participate in visual storytelling using digital books, posters, research writing, and extension projects that align with key ELA objectives.Social Studies Connections
Art serves as a lens through which students explore historical events, current social and environmental issues, and civic identity. Visual responses enhance understanding of essential concepts in history, geography, and science.STEM Applications
Students apply math and science concepts creatively through explorations of patterns, symmetry, engineering design, architecture, and mixed-media projects.Eco-Literacy & Sustainability
Many projects focus on environmental themes, helping students become aware of their impact on the planet and develop a sense of responsibility and agency.Community Showcases
Events like Community Art Nights and in-school exhibitions provide students with a platform to showcase their work and celebrate their achievements with peers, families, and the broader school community.
ART CONNECTS HIGHLIGHTS
Arts Access Fund Art Connects TDSB inner city in-school curricula-related arts projects for JK/SK and Grades 1-8;
1712 students supported
TDSB students surveyed on Arts Access Fund Art Connects projects
- 82% of students wanted to work with an artist educator in their classroom.
- 72% liked doing this project with their classmates.
- 73% liked having an artist educator in their classroom.
- 72% would like to do the program again.
SCHOLARSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
AAF Scholarship and after-school Outreach programs;
170 students supported to study dance, music, visual art, drama, musical theatre, choir
- 94% of students responded that the program encouraged them with their schoolwork a moderate amount to a great deal
- 99% stated that their artistic skills improved: a great deal or a lot
- 91% rated their arts teacher as above-average
- 90% reported a very positive or positive impact on relations with family and friends
- 98% wanted to study with a professional arts teacher outside of regular school hours
- 96% reported feeling good about themselves after taking the class
- 86% rated the quality of their classes as high
TDSB Classroom Teachers Surveyed on Arts Access Fund Art Connects projects
- 95% of teachers responded that the arts project helped them to deliver curricula.
- 96% reported that the arts project supported the curriculum.
- 90% reported being able to evaluate the project for students’ curricula outcomes.
- 93% responded that the project increased students’ curricula understanding.
- 89% thought that the project improved students’ academic outcomes.
- 98% thought that the project increased students’ knowledge of the arts.
- 98% responded that artist educators successfully partnered with them.
- 97% felt that artist educators successfully worked with the students.
- 96% felt that the project succeeded at engaging student participation.
- 97% would participate in a similar project again if it were available.
