Donate — Workman Arts

For the 25th Anniversary of BEING SCENE, we are initiating the “25 for 25” Fundraising Campaign

Dear Friends,

On May 7th , Workman Arts celebrated the opening of our 25th Annual BEING SCENE Juried Exhibition. In the lead up to this milestone exhibition, our team reflected on the history of this show and what it has meant for our community of artists.

Over the past 25 years, Workman Arts has supported artists in the development, presentation, and selling, of their work through BEING SCENE. The exhibitions have also been accompanied by support for artists in their professional development, through projects like our Open Studio Series, introduced in 2025 to connect emerging artists to arts professionals and curators for face-to-face feedback on their bodies of work.

For this 25th Anniversary, we are initiating the “25 for 25” fundraising campaign to raise $25,000 over the upcoming months as the team eventually shifts their attention to Rendezvous with Madness in the fall, and then BEING SCENE Curated to start 2027.

Our work cannot be sustained without the continued support of our community, that is, readers like you.

“Being Scene has given me the chance to grow as a professional artist by gaining confidence and experience in all the small steps it takes to apply to shows and present my work to the public. I'm grateful it's helped me in receiving grants, being accepted into multiple exhibitions and numerous other artistic opportunities."

– V Vallieres, Workman Arts Artist Member since 2018

More than a showcase of artwork, BEING SCENE affirms that every experience carries value, complexity, and dignity. The diversity of artists, mediums, and styles demonstrates that there is no one way to share and interpret lived experience.

Workman Arts recognizes art as an important tool for shaping a world that better supports those living with mental health and addiction. Art allows us to communicate, creating inspiration for dialogue. It offers stories without prescribing how they should be interpreted.

Workman Arts provides to over 500 member artists with lived experience of mental health and/or addiction issues an opportunity to practice their craft and create community. We recognize that social isolation is a key determinant of poor mental health outcomes. Close to 80% of Workman Artists responded that participating in programs at Workman Arts makes them feel like they are part of a community.

Every dollar counts!

• $25 supplies a materials kit for one artist in a painting class• $50 provides one hour of instruction• $100 supplies a reliable internet connection for online programming• $500 covers materials mailing expenses for one semester• $1000 supports the needs of one new artist for a full year

Donate today and make a difference in the lives of people living with mental health & addiction experiences.

If you prefer to donate offline, please click here to download a donation form.

Charitable Registration Number: #13073 4403 RR0001

MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION

OFFLINE DONATION FORM

Discover other ways you can give by getting in touch with:

Tai Nguyen
Communications & Marketing Manager

(416) 583-4339 ext. 4
tai_nguyen@workmanarts.com

REASONS TO GIVE

A group of people at easles, painting a model in a chair at the front of the room.

PROVIDING TRAINING

Donations ensure that participating in our Training Program (including all materials) is always free to member artists. We hire instructors with lived experience to teach all classes.

ENABLING OPPORTUNITIES

Your support enables artists to present their work to the public in exhibitions, screenings and performances. Artists are paid fairly for their work, have the opportunity to sell their art and grow their audience.

SHARING STORIES

Support excellence in public programming through our signature events, the Rendezvous With Madness festival and the Being Scene exhibition,which promote dialogue with audiences around mental health and addiction experiences.

CREATING COMMUNITY

Your donation builds a supportive peer community for artists with lived experience working alongside each other, providing mutual support and reducing social isolation.

OTHER WAYS TO GIVE

DONATION BY E-TRANSFER

We are now accepting donations by e-transfer. You can send your donations to the email: john_choi@workmanarts.com. You will receive a charitable tax receipt for your donation.

MONTHLY DONATION

Monthly donors are a dedicated group of supporters who provide consistent and sustainable funding for Workman Arts, allowing us to spend more time and resources devoted to our mission of supporting artists living with mental health and addiction experiences.

To become a monthly donor click here and select the “monthly” option under the subheading “Frequency”.

TRIBUTE OR MEMORIAL DONATION

A direct donation to Workman Arts is a meaningful way to honour someone special.

To donate in honour or in memory of someone click here and check the box “I would like to dedicate this gift” select the dedication type from the dropdown menu and enter the person’s name.

If you would like us to send a note to your honouree or the family of the person being memorialized, please send an email to tai_nguyen@workmanarts.com to provide mailing details.

DONATION OF SECURITIES

When you donate publicly traded securities you eliminate the capital gains tax that you’d pay if you sold the securities and donated the proceeds. You will also receive a charitable tax receipt for your donation.

To donate stocks, mutual funds, bonds or any other donation of securities please contact Tai Nguyen for further information and transfer forms.

DONOR BENEFITS

PATRON $20-$99

Tax receipt maximum allowable amount
Website recognition on donor page
Recognition in Festival/Exhibition Programs

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SUPPORTER $100-$249

– Tax receipt maximum allowable amount
– Website recognition on donor page
– Recognition in Festival/Exhibition Programs
– One Ticket to RWM Opening Night Film & Gala Reception

*Tax Receipting Policy: In accordance with CRA regulations, the value of benefits ($275) must be deducted from the total gift. A donor may choose to waive benefits and receive a full tax receipt.

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CREATOR $250-$499

*Tax Receipting Policy: In accordance with CRA regulations, the value of benefits ($100) must be deducted from the total gift. A donor may choose to waive benefits and receive a full tax receipt.

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AMBASSADOR $500-$999

– Tax receipt maximum allowable amount
– Website recognition on donor page
– Recognition in Festival/Exhibition Programs
– One Ticket to RWM Opening Night Film & Gala Reception
– One Additional Ticket to RWM Opening Night Film & Gala Reception + One All Access Festival Pass
– One Addtional All Access RWM Festival Pass

*Tax Receipting Policy: In accordance with CRA regulations, the value of benefits ($200) must be deducted from the total gift. A donor may choose to waive benefits and receive a full tax receipt.

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BENEFACTOR $1000-$2499

*Tax Receipting Policy: In accordance with CRA regulations, the value of benefits ($225) must be deducted from the total gift. A donor may choose to waive benefits and receive a full tax receipt.

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CHAMPION $2500-$4999

*Tax Receipting Policy: In accordance with CRA regulations, the value of benefits ($275) must be deducted from the total gift. A donor may choose to waive benefits and receive a full tax receipt.

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VISIONARY $5000+

*Tax Receipting Policy: In accordance with CRA regulations, the value of benefits (please inquire) must be deducted from the total gift. A donor may choose to waive benefits and receive a full tax receipt.

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YOUR DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE