Young people.
The next generation of artists is one of Le Labo’s key priorities. Our mission is to support established artists as well as tomorrow’s, and therefore to build a teaching approach around contemporary art practices. Member artists from our community share their areas of expertise with groups of young francophones, in schools and beyond, across Canada.
Le Labo is also committed to encouraging young people to develop, maintain and use their bilingualism. Our programs aim to make French a living language in their personal, cultural and artistic lives, and to show a modern side of francophone language and culture by pairing it with media arts in a mostly English-speaking province. These initiatives also aim to build intergenerational connections and to spark fertile exchanges around creation and differing ideas, in line with Le Labo’s mission. Today we work mainly in Ontario, while reaching francophone audiences elsewhere in Canada through workshop tours. In the past, we have led workshops from Ontario to Vancouver Island.
The workshops are designed for young people aged 8 to 18, with formats adapted to each age group, in small groups of about 20 students at most to encourage a hands-on, participatory approach. Students get to handle professional equipment (video, sound and lighting), guided by professional artists.
Through our film and audiovisual workshops, students discover the different stages of making a short film. They can also explore sound and audio recording, including by creating a podcast. A studio photography experience is offered too, along with an exhibition of their work that they install themselves.
Designed to fit into a school day, or in a longer format, all workshops are offered in French for organizations working with young people and for students in French-language and French immersion schools. Le Labo travels across Ontario to make artistic creation and experimentation accessible to young people where they live.
To discover our workshops and learn more about our education programs, visit the Services page or contact us at education@lelabo.ca.
Frequently asked questions
What age group are the workshops for?
Ages 8 to 18.
What kind of groups?
Groups of 20 young francophones.
What kind of workshops?
Introductions to short filmmaking (in-camera editing for the youngest, classic format for ages 12 and up), podcasting, studio photography and exhibition installation.
What disciplines and techniques are taught?
Writing, filming, editing, recording, photography, creative and technical skills, and teamwork.
What language are the workshops in?
French.
Which regions do you serve?
Ontario.
Can you come to schools?
Yes.
How do I book a workshop?
Contact us at education@lelabo.ca.
Who are our partners?
Conseil scolaire Viamonde, Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, Alliance Française de Toronto.
How long do the workshops last?
One school day, about 6 hours, or longer for the camp format.
I have another question
Write to us at info@lelabo.ca and our team will get back to you.