Since 2003, the Schools in Community program has supported the development of performance series and presentations for young audiences. Funded through the generosity of the Department of Canadian Heritage, this program has provided almost $200,000 over the past six years to school-based presenters to organize live professional performances of Canadian artists, while promoting local halls and theatres as outstanding community venues for student audiences.

Funding for this program is no longer available through ArtStarts; however, interested applicants may contact the Arts Presentation Canada section of the Canadian Heritage website for further funding opportunities.

The Schools in Community goals and objectives were to:

• increase partnerships and collaboration between young audience presenters and local community venues and theatres
• encourage young audience presenters to increase their performing arts activities for all young people, and in particular youth in secondary schools
• support high quality, challenging and culturally diverse arts programming for young people
• introduce young people to performances in community venues and theatres
• foster a lifelong appreciation of the performing arts in children and youth