YACOS [Youth Arts]


NEW & EVENTS
ABOUT US
MEMBERSHIP
MENTORSHIP

NEWS & VIEWS

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SHOW AND TELL
Show us what you have been doing in your world of art, Performing, Literary or Visual! We are always looking for submissions so send us your art or short video ( 3-5min please) today!



Join Your YACOS Friends Now! CLICK HERE for Application Form


NEWS & EVENTS




ACS RECOMMENDED…Youth Performing Arts



SASSY Awards 2024
Stay tuned: nominations open this month!

We invite young leaders making a positive impact in their community to nominate themselves for recognition. If you're an educator, parent, friend, or community member aware of a 15 to 21-year-old in Surrey or White Rock going above and beyond in community service, nominate them! Nominations, accepted in six categories, lead to awards and a donation to a charity of the recipients' choice

CLICK IMAGE TO LEARN MORE




A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings
April 6 | 4pm & 7pm | $16–$21 | Ages 8+
Studio Theatre at Surrey Arts Centre

Surrey SPARK Stages presents this thrilling piece of theatrical magic inspired by Gabriel Garcia Márquez’s darkly comic tale. The clever use of music, puppetry and live video projection brings this family friendly fable to the stage for children and adults to share.

CLICK IMAGE FOR TICKETS










YACOS | A Place To Express Yourself!

About YACOS

We are the Youth Arts Council of Surrey (YACOS), a volunteer arts group dedicated to creating a community where young individuals are empowered to use the arts as a force for social change.

Back in 2004, the success of the community theater project Let Me Sing raised enough money to kickstart our journey.

Since then, we have worked hard to create opportunities for young people to participate in the arts, including everything from talent shows to play-writing competitions.

Our programs give youth a platform to voice their concerns on important issues in creative ways, such as our recent climate justice-themed exhibit, "The Nature of Youth," and our ongoing support of community causes.

Our participants are aged 13-18 and either live or attend school in Surrey, BC. YACOS operates under the Arts Council of Surrey (ACS), our parent organization, which offers a safe and inclusive meeting space at the Newton Cultural Centre.

By becoming a member, youth can actively contribute to social justice efforts, build connections with peers from diverse backgrounds, and create positive change within our community.

In promoting inclusivity, diversity, and empowerment, we're creating a space where everyone can contribute to the arts and make our society more inclusive and creative.

Mentorship

 When YACOS was established by the Arts Council of Surrey, we recognized the importance of experiential learning.

As a result, the ACS created a mentorship program which connects YACOS members with experienced mentors from Surrey’s arts community.

Our mentors come from various backgrounds, including ACS staff, established artists, and past YACOS members.

This cross-generational collaboration creates a dynamic and educational environment for everyone involved, contributing to the vibrant arts community in Surrey.

How To Join [See Button for access to MEMBERSHIP FORM below]

 To join YACOS and be part of our vibrant community, please fill out the form below. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us by email at  youthartscouncil@gmail.com

 How To Propose an Idea [Send us an email and we will send you the PROPOSAL FORM]

Would you like YACOS to bring your idea to life? Use the form below to propose a youth-led initiative that we can assist you with. If selected, YACOS will contact you with project details. We look forward to collaborating with you.




Land Acknowledgment:

The Youth Arts Council of Surrey acknowledges the traditional and unceded territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayqayt, Tsawwassen First Nations, and broader Coast Salish Peoples on which we operate. We are dedicated to upholding the values of Truth and Reconciliation by actively pursuing decolonization, amplifying Indigenous voices, and cultivating inclusive spaces that honor and celebrate Indigenous artists within our community.



 
 
Click here to access | YACOS 2022: A Year In Review

Youth Mental Health App

YOUTH ORIENTED Mental Health App myESPRIT

Developed by Students at Tamanawis Secondary on Google Play
Sanjana [member of YACOS] and Astha, grade 11 students from Semiahmoo Secondary have developed an app to support and reduce stigma around it mental health. The intention of the app is to help people gain mental strength by learning to prioritize their own happiness via journaling and other resources. myEsprit is a free app offered in various languages. If you are Interested in learning more about the app follow myEsprit on Instagram and Facebook and download the app on Google Play.

Click Here to access App

TIPS ON PUBLIC SPEAKING

Brought to you by youth artists group YourWordsMatterToUs, public speaker Sahej Bhalla presents a few tips on how to become an effective, engaging public speaker...even if it terrifies you to get up in front of a crowd!


On-Going

Opportunities such as continuing auditions or Calls To Artist that have no deadline.


 

MEMBERSHIP


Click button to access
PRINTABLE PDF MEMBERSHIP FORM
We welcome all questions you may have about the many benefits of becoming a YACOS member. Please call us at 604-594-2700 or email us at youthartscouncil@gmail.com.

Please fill out form and send to:
By Email: youthartscouncil@gmail.com
By Mail: 13530 72nd Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3W 2P1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youth arts council of surrey

MENTORSHIP

When the Arts Council of Surrey established YACOS they knew that ‘experience is a great teacher’ when it comes to the Arts and the business of the Arts. To this end, the ACS set up a Mentorship program that young artists can tap into when creating work or producing events and fund raisers. Today YACOS enjoys an incredible synergy with a number of leaders in the business, municipal and arts communities.