Cultural Arts
About
The Leadership by Design (LBD) program enables students to engage in the widest expressions of the cultural arts. While it is important for Black youth in leadership development to be knowledgeable and supportive of cultural art forms aligned with their heritage, it is equally valuable for them to understand and appreciate the cultural expressions of other groups. In diverse cities like Toronto, people thrive when they are educated to respect and value the traditions of others.
Intercultural competence is the ability to interact effectively and appropriately with people from diverse backgrounds. This skill involves not only understanding and appreciating different perspectives but also communicating across cultural boundaries and adapting to new social norms. Developing intercultural competence requires intentional hands-on engagement that blends self-reflection, open communication, and immersive learning experiences. In our globalized world, this competence is important, as it fosters empathy, reduces misunderstandings, and enables collaboration among individuals from various cultures. For leaders, the ability to communicate and connect with people of different cultural backgrounds is vital — and the cultural arts offer an excellent avenue for acquiring and practising these crucial skills.
Cultural arts also offer valuable career opportunities. According to a Hill Strategies study (2021) using Census data, more that 900,000 Canadians worked in arts, culture, and heritage occupations — more of that in each of hospitals, wholesale trade, farms, or real estate. Research by the Canadian Council of the Arts demonstrates that the arts strengthen society in several ways:
- Arts and culture participation boosts civic engagement, democracy, and social cohesion.
- People who participate in arts and culture feel a stronger sense of belonging in Canada.
- Arts and culture education improves students’ academic performance.
A February 2025 report from the Wallace Foundation found that community-based arts programs “can promote well-being and well-becoming for youth of colour. Well-being is holistic wellness in youth’s present lives, which includes mental/psychological, physical, and social dimensions of life satisfaction. Well-becoming represents young people’s present experiences shaping and leading to consideration of a desirable future state.”
A significant portion of the LBD curriculum introduces students to a wide and diverse array of cultural arts, with the expectation that this will enhance student well-being, academic performance, and reinforce important leadership skills.
- Participating in arts and culture builds leadership skills such as public speaking, civic engagement, intellectual curiosity, and social adaptability.
- Attending cultural arts events normalizes these experiences and encourages students to become future patrons of the arts.
- For those who find certain performing arts experiences intimidating, early attendance helps foster a deeper sense of belonging.
- By attending cultural arts events, LBD students learn more about Black history, culture and identity, as well as the stories and cultures of other communities.
- Attending a range of cultural activities supports development of social skills, and can also be a shared family experience, leading to valuable intergenerational and reflective family conversations.
Arts and Culture Activities
CIBC Bank Hackathon
A civic innovation conference where students engaged with leaders, including Nobel laureate Maria Ressa, on strengthening democracy.
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