SKETCH

About SKETCH:

Founded in 1996, SKETCH is a Toronto community arts initiative that seeks to provide creative programs for homeless or at-risk youth. SKETCH’s mission is to “create opportunities for young people (ages 16 to 29) living street involved, homeless or otherwise on the margins, to experience the transformative power of the arts; to build leadership and economic self-sufficiency in the arts; and to cultivate social and environmental change through the arts.” SKETCH’s programs aim to improve its clients’ well-being, while teaching practical and transferrable life skill.

SKETCH provides studio space, materials, and instructors to its participants. It helps its young people engage with the arts community through art promotion, exhibition and sale of artwork, connections to mentors and education support.

SKETCH has a three-point engagement strategy, with the goal to engage 1,500 young people living on the margins through art by 2018. The first point of the strategy involves Arts Engage activities that allow young people to re-discover the arts and form connections. Then the Arts Incubator follows, helping young people develop skills, ideas and a community. Finally, the Arts Platform develops leadership abilities, and connects young people with educational or employment prospects.

In F2015, SKETCH had over 870 participants and 7,786 total visits to its programs. In 2013, SKETCH conducted an Arts Engagement study to measure the impact of the arts on several dimensions. The study found that there was a significant correlation between increased arts engagement and increased quality of life, increased physical well-being, increased psychological well-being and increased social relationships.

Financial Review:

SKETCH is a small-cap charity, with donations of $949k in F2015. Its administrative costs were 6% of revenues in F2015. Its fundraising costs at 1% of donations are significantly lower than the 12% in F2013 due to the elimination of the capital campaign expenditures. For every $1 donated to SKETCH, 92 cents is put towards its programs, which is within Ci's reasonable range. SKETCH has funding reserves of $335k, which can cover 18% of its annual program costs.

This charity report is an update that is being reviewed by SKETCH. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on May 20, 2016 by Lynn Tay.