OUTREACH is Gallery 44’s award-winning arts program addressing the needs of youth from underserved communities throughout the GTA. OUTREACH inspires youth to develop positive methods of sharing their stories while connecting with their community. This program eliminates existing barriers through photography’s uniquely accessible platform, encouraging knowledge sharing, collaboration, and dialogue.
For over 20 years, Gallery 44 has collaborated with community organizations providing hands-on workshops and discussion groups. Youth help direct the program from concept to artistic production, concluding in a formal exhibition of their artworks at Gallery 44. This essential program inspires youth to initiate critical explorations into art-viewing and art-making, creating vibrant, innovative spaces for young people with vital adult mentoring and support. The OUTREACH program mentors and showcases the work of over 50 emerging artists every year.
David Barker Maltby Award
Each year, Gallery 44 awards two participants with the David Barker Maltby Award who excel within the OUTREACH program. David Barker Maltby was an artist, educator, photographer, and community activist, who dedicated his life to social justice, documenting 20 years of protests, demonstrations, anti-poverty actions and sit-ins in Toronto. Recipients are awarded based on their unique approach to photography and commitment to continuing their art practice—receive a membership to Gallery 44 and further mentorship opportunities.
2022 Nishina Loft - JAYU
2022 Shuli Grosman-Gray - Nia Centre for the Arts
2022 Kris Yue - The 519
2021 Joanna Baky - Nia Centre for the Arts
2021 Sumaya Osman - Nia Centre for the Arts
2019 Muna Youssouf - Nia Centre for the Arts
2019 Lina Wu - Nia Centre for the Arts
2018 Raymond Tran - Daniels Spectrum Regent Park
2018 Aliyah Boudh-Hir - The 519
2017 Azaeb Adane - Nia Centre for the Arts
2017 Eli Carmona - The 519
2016 Andre Anozie- Nia Centre for the Arts
2016 Auset Luxor- Urban Arts
2015 Rodrigo Castro - Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre
2015 Marilyn Ize-Dukuze - Nia Centre for the Arts
2014 Rea Lila - UrbanArts
2014 Terrance Paul - Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre
2013 Nakisha Millien - Eva’s Phoenix
2012 Leilah Dhoré - Nia Centre for the Arts
2012 Charmae Freeman - Native Learning Centre
2011 Giselle Mira Diaz - Hispanic Development Council
2011 Ebti Nabag - Nia Centre for the Arts
2010 Jason Botelho - LAMP
2010 Nathan Daye - SOY
2009 Meagan Jasmina Majcenic- Sketch
2009 Cassy Walker- SOY
2008 Christian Bortey-LAMP
2008 Terrence Reeves- Sketch
2007 Julia MacDowell- Inner City Visions
2007 Kamille Grant- SOY
2006 Leo Zuniga - SOY
2006 Jane Crout - Inner City Visions
2005 Elle Alconcel - Sketch
2005 Drake Townsend - SOY
Toronto Image Works x Gallery 44 Award
Toronto Image Works x Gallery 44 awards one participant who excels within the OUTREACH program. This award extends the recipient's experience with the G44 community after the OUTREACH program and introduces them to Toronto Image Works—another avenue for photo production services. Recipients are awarded based on their unique approach to photography and commitment to continuing with their art practice. Winners receive a G44 membership, further mentorship, workshop vouchers, and facilities credits for the continued support of their artistic practice
2018 Raven Lam - Nia Centre for the Arts
2019 Ammar Bowaihl - JAYU
2021 Elena Wen - The 519
EQ Bank Scholarship
The EQ Bank Scholarship awards one OUTREACH program alumni with enrollment in the Low Res program and facilities credits to prepare new work for inclusion in the Low Res exhibition. Low Res is an eight-session program to develop advanced visual literacy through group discussions, critiques, creative experiments, writing exercises and field trips. Low Res helps emerging artists push the boundaries of their practice and develop connections in the Toronto art community with a small, supportive group of peers. The EQ Bank Scholarship is open to all participants from the OUTREACH Symposium to apply.
