ECHOFORM Artivism Cohort 2026 | Your Story. Your City. Your Future.
About this Event
A free 8–12 week youth cohort in Edmonton exploring storytelling, identity, art, activism and civic futures through creative labs, mentorship, public storytelling and a final showcase.
To apply to the cohort, visit . Applications close June 30, 2026 and are reviewed on a rolling basis.
About the Cohort
ECHOFORM Artivism Cohort 2026 is a youth-centered creative civic engagement program for young people who want to use art, storytelling and lived experience to imagine more just futures.
Most civic engagement spaces are lecture-based, institution-driven and disconnected from youth culture, identity and creativity. ECHOFORM was created to offer something different: a space where youth are not just invited to participate, but are treated as storytellers, researchers, artists, advocates and civic thinkers.
Through eight structured civic exploration labs, participants will explore belonging, restorative justice, democracy, media literacy, global citizenship, climate futures, mentorship, healing and public imagination. Each lab is designed to be interactive, creative and grounded in real-world social issues.
No formal art, writing, research or activism experience is required. This is for youth who are curious, community-minded and ready to explore what change can look like through creative expression.
What to Expect
Participants will take part in a mix of:
- Creative workshops and guided reflection sessions
- Storytelling, writing, art-making and civic imagination activities
- Conversations on identity, belonging, justice, climate and democracy
- Opportunities to contribute to zines, toolkits and public storytelling campaigns
- A mentorship circle with community leaders and partner organizations
- A retreat-style experience and public showcase
- A supportive cohort community of young people exploring art and social change
Participants will be supported to develop creative and civic outputs that may be featured in ECHOFORM publications, digital galleries, public campaigns or the October 2026 showcase.
Civic Exploration Labs
The cohort is built around eight creative civic labs on themes including: Belonging & Justice; Health Equity; Civic Engagement & Democracy; Media Literacy & Digital Culture; Global Citizenship & Systems; Climate Futures and Arts, Storytelling & Public Imagination.
The cohort labs will wrap up with a Mentorship Circle the following week!
Who This Is For
This cohort is designed for youth who are ready to engage and deserve a platform that is ready for them.
We especially welcome:
- Youth ages 16–30
- Newcomer and immigrant youth
- Racialized, Black, Indigenous and equity-seeking youth
- LGBTQ+ youth
- Disabled and neurodivergent youth
- Economically marginalized youth
- Emerging artists, writers, organizers, students and civic creatives
- Young people navigating identity, migration, belonging and community change
- Youth who already care about social issues and want to deepen that engagement through creativity
You do not need to call yourself an artist or activist to join. If you care about your community, your story and your future, this space is for you.
Connected Campaigns
The cohort will connect to ECHOFORM’s broader 2026 creative civic programming, including:
Stories in Public Spaces
A public storytelling and civic art campaign inviting youth to share a true sentence about their life, which may be printed as a sticker and displayed in public or digital spaces.
Love Letters to Water
A climate and water storytelling project inviting youth to create letters, poems, drawings and reflections about water, memory, identity and the future.
Why This Matters
Youth from equity-seeking, newcomer and racialized communities are often asked to share their stories only when institutions need representation, but rarely given the tools, space and support to shape public dialogue on their own terms.
ECHOFORM believes lived experience is civic knowledge.
This cohort creates space for youth to explore their stories, build creative confidence, connect with mentors and contribute to public-facing work that reflects the communities and futures they care about.
Cost
This program is free to participate in.
Location
The cohort will take place through a mix of in-person and/or hybrid sessions in Edmonton. Session details will be shared with confirmed participants.
Partners and Support
Details Coming Soon!
Bottom Line
Come as you are.
You do not need polished ideas, perfect art skills or a long advocacy resume. This is a space to learn, reflect, create, connect and imagine what change can look like through art.
Your story matters. Your city needs your voice. Your future is worth imagining out loud.
Agenda
Welcome & Cohort Orientation
Info: Participants will meet the cohort, learn about ECHOFORM, review community agreements and explore the purpose of the Artivism Cohort
Lab 01: Belonging & Justice
Info: A creative session on identity, memory, migration, culture, place and the stories we carry.
Lab 02: Health Equity
Info: A reflective lab on justice, care, harm, healing and the systems that shape community wellbeing.
Lab 03: Civic Engagement & Democracy
Info: A session exploring youth civic participation, leadership, advocacy and democracy beyond traditional institutions.
Lab 04: Media Literacy & Digital Culture
Info: A lab on digital storytelling, online culture, public voice, misinformation and safer digital spaces.
Lab 05: Global Citizenship & Systems
Info: A systems-focused session connecting local experiences to global issues, human rights and collective responsibility.
Lab 06: Climate Futures
Info: A creative climate storytelling lab exploring water, ocean connection, environmental justice and future-building.
Lab 07: Arts, Storytelling & Public Imagination
Info: A creative development session focused on turning reflections into public-facing art, writing and storytelling.
Lab 08: Mentorship Circle & Leadership
Info: Participants will connect with mentors through short, low-pressure conversations with community leaders and partner representatives.
Retreat | September 2026
Info: Participants will have time to deepen their creative pieces, receive support and prepare their pieces for ECHOFORM’s October 2026 showcase.
Artivism Showcase | October 2026
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
