Case Study #4.

Community-Engaged Arts Research

A community engagement initiative cum nonprofit arts service organization that recruited and gathered arts and community stakeholders to imagine innovative theatrical experiences for Calgary’s young people

The Canadian Institute of Theatre for Young Audiences (CITYA)--formerly TYA | YYC Collaboratory operates as an arts service organization, a sector backbone akin to Theatre Alberta or PACT, supporting and connecting artists, educators, and community partners.

As an emerging nonprofit arts organization, we collaborate with members of Calgary’s theatre and education communities to conduct research into Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) and provide professional development opportunities for community members. CITYA’s knowledge-sharing activities promote TYA as an art form that contributes to the cultural & social wellbeing of the community. CITYA operates under ASSITEJ’s definition of Theatre for Young Audiences as the creation and delivery of performing arts for, by, and with children & young people, including applied theatre and arts education.

With a set of core values that includes innovation, community-centric creation, capacity-building, and community engagement, CITYA started by building a community understanding of the transformative power of theatre in the lives of young Calgarians and seeking a shift in TYA from a niche art form to a vital component of our cultural and educational landscape. Since February 2024, CITYA has hosted community workshops and networking events attended by over 40 representatives from across the arts community who contributed to data collection investigating their experiences as young people and professionals in theatre, where they situate themselves on a spectrum of theatre for young audiences, and their dreams for the future of TYA in Calgary. Through highly interactive discussions and collaboration activities, the workshops further explored the goals for CITYA and co-defining what “theatre for young audiences” looks like in Calgary.

While the initial phase of CITYA’s community-based research focused on artists, The second phase investigates the social-emotional needs of Calgary’s young people, ultimately supporting the city’s arts organizations in producing and programming innovative theatre for young audiences. Through inclusive qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, the next phase of CITYA’s business development will identify artistic and programming opportunities by uncovering barriers faced by audiences. These insights will inform CITYA’s operational model, ensuring that young people feel represented on Calgary’s stages.