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About Us
ArtHeart has nourished the creative spirit of children, youth, adults and seniors in Regent Park since 1991.
Our History
ArtHeart is a non-profit charitable organization that has been serving Regent Park for over 34 years. Over the decades, we’ve become a cornerstone of creativity and inclusion for children, youth, adults & seniors and families. We’re proud to have engaged with three generations of residents in this dynamic neighbourhood, and we continue to play a key role in its cultural fabric.
ArtHeart is committed to serving the Regent Park community by delivering free visual arts programs that promote social inclusion and creative expression. Whether through painting, sculpture, photography or other media, everyone is invited to share their life experiences and artistic talents.
In 1991, ArtHeart Community Art Centre (formerly: A Home for Creative Opportunity) was founded by Seanna Connell and a group of volunteers, including the homeless, community residents, and families from the inner-city community of Regent Park, Toronto, Canada’s oldest and largest government housing project. This dedicated group believed that an inner-city arts centre could be an oasis of learning and creativity in an under-resourced and under-serviced neighbourhood. There were no other arts programs in Regent Park.
ArtHeart became incorporated in 2003 as a not-for-profit charitable organization and in 2004, the organization relocated from its original studio, as a project of 40 Oaks into a new space two blocks away. As part of the revitalization of Regent Park, in 2012, ArtHeart was invited to move again, into the wheelchair accessible Daniels Spectrum to become part of a dynamic arts and cultural centre.
ArtHeart Today
ArtHeart has been serving the Regent Park Community for over 34 years! And we’ve stayed true to our core values: Arts and Health, Diversity, Inclusivity, Safety, Collaboration and Community-building.
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In 2024, we had 5200 program participation visits, and we intend to make those numbers grow!
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Regent Park has transformed from a predominantly public housing area into a complex, mixed-housing neighbourhood. Unfortunately, many families are financially vulnerable. Our challenge has been: how do we continue serving our community and living by our values in this evolving landscape? We evolve right along with it! So, we’ve expanded our programs beyond our studio walls to ensure that art remains available to all.
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This year, we transitioned from operating out of one main art studio to providing ArtHeart Mobile Arts Programs! These programs provide free and accessible art workshops in Regent Park for children, youth, adults, seniors, and families.
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ArtHeart’s Mobile Arts Programs are now running 5 art workshops from Monday-Friday each week in Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) common rooms in Regent Park, the Community Living Room and Terrace at Daniels Spectrum, as well as Wigwamen Terrace - for Indigenous elders in partnership with Council Fire Native Cultural Centre. These special programs have helped our ArtHeart family grow and thrive!
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Through our programs and projects, ArtHeart provides participants with supportive art workshops in which they can create and learn, build self-esteem and develop skills. By putting their hands and imaginations to work, our participants are empowered to engage with their community in a meaningful way. Year-round programs and projects include: Children, Youth and Family Mobile Arts Program, Youth Employment Program, Adults and Seniors Mobile Arts Program, "No Starving Artists" (Nutritious Snacks Program), Indigenous Arts - Council Fire Native Cultural Centre Collaborative Program at Wigwamen Terrace.
Our Philosophy
It is believed that when the body and soul are treated with kindness, imaginations soar and beautiful art is produced. ArtHeart participants come from many backgrounds and life experiences. All are talented artists who have discovered a safe space at ArtHeart to explore their creativity.
Many forms of visual art are enjoyed at ArtHeart. Watercolour, acrylic, mixed media, screen-printing, collage, photography, fibre and digital arts are explored. Stories are told with paint, paper and canvas. ArtHeart is a unique community sharing the love of art, good food and warm relationships.