Flash Forward Incubator
is a key leader in fostering the future generation of visual artists in Canada.
Incubator participants use a mobile digital platform, connecting innovation and technology to their final artworks.

The Flash Forward Incubator Program is dedicated to fostering future practitioners in Canada coast to coast by giving youth from diverse backgrounds the mentorship they need to create their work and a platform to amplify their voices through exhibitions and publications.

Browse Graduating Class

View the work of past Incubator Alumni

Browse Event Photos

View event photos from Exhibitions & Silent Auctions

About the Program

The Flash Forward Incubator Program builds an inclusive arts community that fosters diversity in our future leaders and art stars. This dynamic, coast-to-coast program creates a vibrant and connected community, one that brings youth from diverse backgrounds together to share their art with each other and the rest of Canada. Through an online platform, hands-on mentorships and leadership opportunities, Flash Forward Incubator promotes specialized training in arts, culture, and new media, where unique voices are empowered and a sense of belonging and inclusiveness is cultivated.

Through nationwide gallery exhibitions, professional and post-secondary associations and festival partnerships, Magenta is committed to cultivating the next generation of artists in Canada by giving youth their first public presentation and publication opportunity, with access to key artistic and cultural communities. This portal allows young people to elevate their talents and abilities for a future in the arts as cultural producers within and beyond their communities.

Six Pillars

Within the frame of the Flash Forward Incubator Program, there are six pillars of education and work experience the program assists with:

Diversity and Inclusion
Community
Online Community
Professional
Leadership
Mentorship

Diversity and Inclusion

The Incubator Program practices inclusion of all regardless of ethnicity, language, race, ability, sex, sexual or gender identity, sexual orientation, family status, income, immigrant or refugee status, nationality, place of birth, generational status, and native status.

The Incubator Program encourages the expression of all individual regardless of ethnicity, language, race, ability, sex, sexual or gender identity, sexual orientation, family status, income, immigrant or refugee status, nationality, place of birth, generational status, and native status. With open-ended themes, individual voices, experiences and perspectives are brought to the forefront. Caring and enthusiastic mentors support youth in developing their own unique voices.

Community

Inclusiveness and diversity is built and celebrated by empowering youth. Each and every youth, through our online platform are supported and encouraged to spark conversations with one another, raise awareness on issues that not only impact people locally, but reach across our boarders, allowing the viewers to relate to the story behind the piece, as seen in all the artist statements, accompanied by each art piece.

Online Community

Students participate in a minimum of 4 month online mentorship program that supports youth in developing the skills needed to take their work to the next level.

Professional

Builds access and the critical tools and opportunities for future professional artists through offering a professional gallery show and publication that youth can add to their resume. Professional mentors including festival directors, professional artists and industry professionals offer continuous mentorship in support of the development of skills and tools. Gallery Shows are held with National and international partners – Capture Photo Festival in Vancouver – Exposure in Calgary, Stephen Bulger Gallery in Toronto, and The Art Gallery of Hamilton. The end of year Silent Auction allows youth to begin relationships with a professional community and access to their first collector.

Leadership

Promotes specialized training and hands-on mentorship in culture, new media and intercultural skills for youth. This new Leadership Lab is how we cultivate our future leaders.

Mentorship

Fosters all voices of youth and gives them the platform to participate in their community and share their vision to create a sense of belonging and inclusiveness.

Upcoming Programs
Magenta/FCAD Visual Arts Leadership Lab

The Magenta Foundation and Ryerson’s Faculty of Communication and Design are collaborating on a unique partnership that will provide leadership and hands on learning skills to youth 19-32 that will empower the creative leaders of tomorrow. With our pilot program, the ArQuives, a comprehensive research, exhibition and catalogue focusing on Toronto Pride from 1970 to the present. The exhibition and catalogue will coincide with the 50^th anniversary of the ArQuives in 2023.

Core Team

Program Founder
Maryann Camilleri

National Education and Program Coordinator
Jenny-Anne McCowan

Online Mentor and Community Program Coordinator
Ebti Nebag

Online Mentors and BC Community Program Coordinator
Jeri Engen

Community Partnerships
Woodgreen Community Services: Toronto, Ontario
Facilitator: Thom Sokoloski

Tree of Peace: Yellowknife, NWT
Facilitators: Christina Moore, Indigenous Youth Worker

Esker Youth Engagement: Calgary, Alberta
Facilitator: Eva Verity

WITH SPECIAL THANKS
TO OUR SPONSORS

Presented by
Magenta

National Learning
and Outreach Sponsor

Photographic Equipment Sponsorship
CANON

Festival Partnership
Exposure Photo Festival
Program Coordinator: Bethany Kane

Printing Partnership
Smoke Stack Printing
Type A Print

Special Thank Yous
Kevin Crigger
OCAD University
Toronto Metropolitan University
Jonathan Groeneweg
Lindsey Wallace
The SM Blair Family Foundation
Herschel Supply Co.