Youth Engagement (YE) sector at Kalaikal Creative Arts (KCA) is responsible for
nurturing the Tamil Arts in young artists. By providing the youth the avenue to develop
and hone in the skills, the YE sector is able to propel young artists to a professional
career with an early start in their arts endeavors.

Currently the YE sector is running the Kalaikal Youth Dance Team Project, where
students from different high schools across GTA are given the opportunity to perform
as one team alongside the University and College Dance Teams at the Kalaikal Dance
Competition. This project running into its third year has proven to be an invaluable
experience to the High School students who take part in the event. Through their
participation at Kalaikal, students from the Kalaikal Youth (KY) Panthers have
developed impressive levels of leadership, teamwork, discipline, responsibility, time
management, and organizational skills.

Above all, the Kalaikal Dance Competition has provided an avenue for High School
students to commingle with current University and College students. This foundation has
provided a tremendous impression on the academic endeavors of high school students,
who have developed a greater pride in pursuing a post-secondary education. Students
leave the event knowing which Univeristy or College affiliation they want to belong to,
along with a heightened sense of achievement and distinct drive for higher education due
to the positive and remarkable experiences they’ve had at Kalaikal.

As an arts organization, KCA has also been committed to training students in the Tamil
Arts. Through YE, the cultural and historical significances of the Tamil Arts is strained
as students are taught how culture shapes not only music and stage performances, but
also how it shapes their identities in the past, present and future.. Through YE, students
learn traditional forms of Tamil Art along with evolving forms of modern art, and how it
continues to define, alter, and express the intricacies of life through various mediums.
For any inquiries on Youth Engagement Projects, or for those interested in participating
in the KY Panthers Team, please contact the Director of Youth Engagement at
youthengagement {at} kalaikal(.)com">youthengagement {at} kalaikal(.)com.