Report 2024 - 2025
We Bring Communityto theArts, AndArtists to the Community
Scarborough Arts is one of Torontoâs six Local Arts Service Organizations (LASOs) mandated to serve the Scarborough region by offering inclusive, low-barrier and community-driven arts and cultural programming and services. We prioritize equity-seeking groups and serve children, youth, adults, seniors and families from a broad demographic spectrum.
The Board Of Directors
WrittenbytheScarboroughArtsBoardofDirectors
It is with great pleasure that we report on another successful year of operations. Scarborough Arts continues to deliver community-based arts programs and services, in collaboration with local artists and community members. In addition to fulfilling this mandate, we are developing longterm programming and funding models to deliver dynamic new arts and cultural initiatives.
One of the most significant changes this year was to our leadership; Derek Spooner, our Executive Director, moved to a different organization We thank Derek for his dedication and hard work and wish him well in his new endeavors.
Our new Executive Director, Beth Helmers, brings a wealth of experience to Scarborough Arts. Beth has led artistic projects in a variety of community settings, and has a wide range of experience in management, teaching and working with many institutions and cultural organizations Her experience has been used extensively in her first months with Scarborough Arts. Beth is entrepreneurial, has financial acumen and is highly respected in the Toronto arts community. She brings a new focus to Scarborough Arts Programs and Services. Her relationships with community partners and funders will help to keep our Programs and Services running for years to come
Over the past year, our programs have thrived. Our Community+Connects program with Workman Arts provided high quality intergenerational and youth programming. Our partnership with Multicultural Pride in Scarborough (formerly Rainbowâs Pride in Scarborough) continues to grow in impact
Collaborating with The Potterâs Studio has brought Ceramic Arts to a city-run shelter and pottery workshops for Newcomers, and our popular programs with Eat More Scarborough have highlighted Scarboroughâs diverse culinary artists and restaurants. The 39th Annual Juried Exhibition âSpeculative: Skaáč-broĂŒgÄ„â displayed speculative fiction to comment on the socio-political, economic, and cultural conditions of Scarborough today.
Increasing our focus on Artist Services has shown us new ways to help Scarborough artists. Through these activities, we also contribute to local economic development. Our services include coproducing and mentorship, sourcing venues for artists, promoting shows and events, supporting artist sales, and providing networking and professional development events. Scarborough Arts remains dedicated to assisting artists in their journey.
We are refreshing our Strategic Plan. You may have been involved with the Re-branding Survey or participated in the creative landscape activities at the Meet and Greet We will continue community consultations to feed the Strategic Plan. Thank you for your contributions, and stay tuned for more opportunities to engage.
Scarboroughâs diversity of artists is inspiring. People from all walks of life express themselves through art. Art is essential. Scarborough Arts celebrates our community. Join us in celebrating art. OURANCESTORSCATCHTHEIRFLIGHTSFROMWARDEN STATION,bySharonJoyTung,presentedatthe2024Annual JuriedExhibition
The Executive Director AMESSAGEFROM
BethHelmers,ExecutiveDirector
Iâm excited to take on my new role at Scarborough Arts, and contribute to the organizationâs long history and legacy
Having worked in community arts in Scarborough, Iâm well-acquainted with the cultural vibrancy and strength of community that sets Scarborough apart, but itâs been a joy to learn more and see things from a different perspective. I hope to bring the skills, knowledge and connections that Iâve developed over many years to help build new opportunities for art and artists in Scarborough.
I appreciate the warm welcome Iâve received from the Scarborough Arts community. Thank you for trusting me and offering your insights and support. Itâs been wonderful to get acquainted with another circle of artists and community builders, renew relationships with those I already know, and embark on new undertakings together.
Iâm a big believer in art for artâs sake. Having a background and practice in theatre, I love all the forms art can encompass - music, dance, painting and sculpture, playwriting, pottery, film, textile art, cooking, storytelling and more - all the cultural practices, everyday and seasonal, inherited and invented, that we can imagine Art doesnât need a justification. However, with that said, Iâm driven by the power Iâve witnessed in
community arts to enrich lives, positively transform individuals, neighbourhoods and cities, and to strengthen our social fabric. There are so many benefits to making art together.
As I enter this role, Iâm mindful of the many individuals and organizations who have been doing this work everyday, and Iâm thankful for their tenacity and the doors theyâve opened. I think Scarborough Arts has a big role to play as an anchor for their work, to support the larger ecosystem for the arts in Scarborough, and ensure that arts and culture can thrive and flourish here; with all the resources and visibility that it deserves I hope to build on the contributions of everyone whoâs been committed to this vision, and the past work of Scarborough Arts, to take it to another level. If that sounds exciting to you, I hope youâll join in this adventure.
2024-2025 Financial Update
AmerAl-Shaar,Treasurer&Director,BoardofDirectors
I am delighted to present the Treasurerâs Report for Scarborough Arts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Our financial results have been prepared by our bookkeepers and are presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The figures reported here are derived from our audited financial statements, completed by the firm Hogg, Shain & Scheck.
This past year has been a period of positive transition for Scarborough Arts, marked by the onboarding of our new Executive Director. Despite the changes in leadership, our team remained focused on delivering high-quality programming and supporting the arts community in Scarborough The team has continued to implement important internal controls and formalize internal policies that further ensure a robust control environment that will support the organizationâs mission. The organization demonstrated resilience and adaptability, ensuring that our mission continued to be fulfilled during this important transition.
Scarborough Arts experienced a reduction of revenues, total assets, and net assets which are mirrored by a reduction of expenses and total liabilities. This trend reflects the organizationâs intention to right-size our programming and recalibrate operations to match funding capacity with community needs. As we explore new revenue
revenue streams, we aim to grow in a sustainable way that reflects the needs of all stakeholders.
Scarborough Arts reported total revenues and expenses consistent with our commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency. Our primary source of revenue continues to be government grants, supplemented by fundraising efforts and donations from our generous supporters. Expenses were allocated across both program delivery and administrative functions, reflecting the investments necessary to sustain our operations and support our community.
The organization has long maintained reserve funds to stabilize finances against minor net losses such as this. The cash position remains healthy, with funds prudently managed and invested to support both current operations and future growth. Our current ratio, a key indicator of financial stability, has improved from 1.92 to 2.64, to reflect our ability to meet obligations and maintain a secure financial foundation.
I would like to extend my gratitude to our funders, donors, and the entire Scarborough Arts community for their ongoing support and commitment. Your contributions make it possible for us to navigate periods of change and continue serving Scarborough and beyond.
2024-2025 Treasurerâs Report Numbers
2024-2025 Treasurerâs Report Numbers
By the Numbers
We are proud to have fostered creativity and connection across Scarboroughâs diverse communities for our 2024-2025 year reaching seniors, children, emerging and established artists, youth, local entrepreneurs, and the general public.
1,650+
50K+
30+
Program Participants Workshops, Exhibitions,&Events 10+ 7
Audience Members
Community &Partner Collaborations
New&Returning ProgramSeries
Program List
COMMUNITY+Connects
ArtreprenurshipwithRoundtableRecords ArtrepreneurshipTrainingVideoswith RoundtableRecords ArtrepreneurshipNetworkingEventwith RoundtableRecords
WorkmanArtsxScarboroughArts COMMUNITY+ConnectsSatellite Program
LoveLanguages:PrioritizingPlatonicIntimacy withReaSweets
ImaginationStationwithKseniyaTsoy
ImaginationStationFinalCelebrationwith KseniyaTsoy
HealthyArtsforSeniors
HealthyArtsforSeniors-GoldenLens:Capturing WisdomthroughtheAgeswithMariamMagsi
HealthyArtsforSeniors-GoldenLensExhibition
MulticulturalPride
MulticulturalPrideinScarborough
MulticulturalAbilityvs.theGalaxyExhibition StopHungerPayItForward
ScarboroughSign
ScarboroughSignatScarboroughFoodSecurity Initiative-FeedScarborough
TenderPossibilities
TenderPossibilitiesSummerSeriesat GuildPark2025
EatMoreScarborough
EatMoreScarboroughxScarboroughArtsFood TourSeries2024-KeithLee'sHits(andwhathe missed)-MichelinMeander-SummerSolstice FoodTour-MidnightScarboroughNightTour
EatMoreScarboroughxScarboroughArtsFood TourSeries2025-Pan-AsiaFoodTour-Quirks andEatsonKennedyRoad-SummerSolstice FoodTour
AnnualJuriedExhibition
39thAnnualJuriedExhibitionSpeculative:Skaáč-broĂŒgÄ„ BigArtBook10-Metakinesis AnnualGeneralMeeting2023-24
LensontheEnds
YouthPhotographyWorkshop withAliciaReidandMyuriSrikugan
AdditionalEvents&Launches
DestinationScarboroughVideoLaunch EastofTarragon2025inpartnershipwith Tarragon,CommunityArtsGuild,andMillikenMills HighSchool
MeetânGreetwithBethHelmers DoorsOpenTOStrategicPlanningArtActivationat Fool'sParadise&CedarRidgeCreativeCentre
TâScarborough Arts' commitment to their values is evident in their approach to collaboration with artists like myself - I was empowered to create my best work because oftheir inclusivity, encouragement and continuous supportâ
âWorking with Scarborough Arts and the community on this project was deeply rewarding I'm excited to see them build an even more inclusive, vibrant, and imaginative arts ecosystem for all of Scarboroughâ
-MARIESOTTO,StrategicPlanningArtActivator -RIMAZNAZEER,StrategicPlanningArtActivator
âScarborough Artsâ financial and community support has been essentialto Tender Possibilities, enabling accessible programming and deeper communal experiences that foster community building and exemplify the enduring resonance of power, people, and place.â
-FARHIATATO,ProgramPartner, TenderPossibilitiesSummerSeriesinGuildPark
âIt was an incredibly rewarding experience to give my participants the same encouragement and affirmation that I first received, 10 years after I attended my first SA program as a youth!â
-REASWEETS,Community+CONNECTSFacilitator
Creativeengagementactivations byMarieSottoandRimazNazeer, spottedontablesatmanyofour communityevents.
WHATâSNEXTTOCOMEFORSCARBOROUGHARTS
As we embark on the next chapter at Scarborough Arts, our organization is inspired by the power of community arts to enrich lives, transform neighbourhoods, and strengthen our socialfabric. In the upcoming fiscalyear, we will continue working closely with community members, stakeholders, and our partnersâpast and presentâto create programming that resonates deeply with the Scarborough community.
2024-2025
Staff & Board
SCARBOROUGHARTSTEAM
DerekSpooner,FormerExecutiveDirector
BethHelmers,ExecutiveDirector(February 2025-current)
KatiePearson,AdminandFinanceOfficer
FaithRajasingham,ProgramCoordinator
ToméeTzatzanis,ProgramAssistant
KyleJarencio,Marketingand CommunicationsAssistant
BOARDOFDIRECTORS
SumanRoy,Chair
JohnnyZhang,ViceChair
AmerAl-Shaar,Treasurer
RodneyYip,Director
JasonLiang,Director
WorkmanArtsxScarboroughArtsCOMMUNITY+ConnectsSatelliteProgram, ImaginationStationwithKseniyaTsoyExhibitionLaunch
Funders & Community Partners
ScarboroughArts acknowledges the continued supportof the CityofToronto, the OntarioArts Council, and Delta BINGO and Gaming.
FUNDERS
AboveGroundArtSupplies
AlainSlaightFamilyFoundation
BestBuy
CityofToronto
DeltaDownsviewBINGO&Gaming
GovernmentofCanada
OntarioArtsCouncil
OntarioArtsFoundation
OntarioTrilliumFoundation
ProvinceofOntario
WorkmanArts
COMMUNITYPARTNERS
AlexanderWidder
CEECentreforBlackExcellence
CedarRidgeCreativeCentre
ChrysalisBrandManagement
ClarkCentrefortheArts
CommunityArtsGuild
CookedUntilTender
DestinationToronto
DoorsOpenTO
DorisMcCarthyGallery-UniversityofToronto
ScarboroughCampus
EatMoreScarborough
EastScarboroughStorefront
FedorBondar
GraceTaylor
JaeYang
KseniyaTsoy
MariamMagsi
MillikenMillsHS
MulticulturalPrideinScarborough
NadiraNarine
OntarioHeritageTrust-FoolâsParadise
ReaSweets
RoundTableRecords
ScarboroughFoodSafetyInitiative-Feed
Scarborough
ShaquilleGriffith(Thirtywo40ne.Inc)
SvetlanaBuasser
TarragonTheatre
TenderPossibilities
TheHUBmid-Scarborough-Scarborough CentreforHealthyCommunities
TorontoPublicLibrary-EglintonSquare Branch
TorontoPublicLibrary-Kennedy/Eglinton Branch
WorkmanArts
YvanoWicken-Edwards
