Arts York - History

History

In the 1970s, Superintendent Stephen Bacsalmsi created the idea of a public advanced arts program. The Ontario government accepting the idea was only waiting for a new high school to be built. When Unionville High School was under construction, the Ontario government as well as local governments considered it a prime opportunity for an arts program. The program was opened in 1985, along with the opening of Unionville High School.

In recent years, due to the success of the Arts program at Unionville High School, the York Region District School Board created additional locations for the program: in 2000 (Arts Huron), 2007 (Arts West), and 2009 (Arts Alexander Mackenzie). The Arts Huron program (at Huron Heights Secondary School) was created as the alternative for students living in the northern areas of York Region and the GTA, the Arts West (at Westmount Collegiate Institute) program was created as an alternative for students living in western areas of York Region and the GTA, and the Arts Alexander Mackenzie (at Alexander Mackenzie High School, Richmond Hill) program was created as an alternative for students living in central areas of York Region and the GTA. By expanding the arts programming to four schools within the four quadrants of the region, the York Region District Board has enriched and widened the arts learning environment and opportunities for students with an interest in the arts.