INCITE FOUNDATION: Arts for all

By HCMApr 15, 2025

The incite Foundation for the Arts supports the contributions and innovative work of the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts.

The incite Foundation for the Arts has contributed more than $9 million to 50 Hamilton-area organizations, through grants from $2,500 to $300,000, since it was founded in 2011.

It is the legacy of the late Carl and Kate Turkstra who believed the arts are key to quality of life and critical to the future of Hamilton. And they believed anyone, regardless of circumstance, should be able to enjoy and pursue music, theatre and visual art.

HAMILTON CITY Magazine is showcasing the incredible, creative and talented recipients of Incite grants. Here we share the work of the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts.

Read all about the legacy of Carl and Kate Turkstra here!

After defecting from Poland and settling in Hamilton, professional dancer Vitek Wincza revitalized the historic Royal Hamilton College of Music, a century after its inception, reopening it in 1997 as the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts (HCA). Wincza had a dream of creating a multidisciplinary environment where music, dance, drama, and visual arts could flourish together under one roof, ensuring that the arts were visible and accessible to everyone.

This was a shared vision brought to reality with the commitment of the HCA’s long-time supporter, the incite Foundation. Their dedication has been essential to the HCA’s work to remove barriers and enhance the quality of life for people in Hamilton. Thanks to the incite Foundation’s commitment, HCA is now home to two charitable, community-based organizations: HCA Dance + Theatre (HCADT) and Arts for All.

HCA Dance + Theatre (HCADT) is supported by the incite Foundation for the Arts. Pictured is Free Clear Flow. Photo: Jeff Hayward

Arts for All harnesses education, connection, and inspiration to spark creativity, critical thinking, and proactive actions in the leaders of tomorrow. This initiative is dedicated to providing access to arts programming every day, everywhere, and for everyone, positively impacting more than 70,000 children and youth at no cost to them. The Incite Foundation helps multiple neighbourhoods to flourish by: supporting the After School Arts Program which provides school year programming; the Artasia summer program with emerging artists activating more than 40 community sites and parks; the Resonance Choir for children and youth with disabilities at the Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre; and the KinderFest Festival presenting professional artist performances for the very young and their families. Arts for All touches the future by connecting citizens to creativity to build a better community.

HCADT is dedicated to making the performing arts visible and accessible through year-round programming, each serving distinct facets of our community. The Children’s Arts Exploration Field Trips are designed to supplement the Ontario Ministry of Education’s curriculum, by providing hands-on arts education to students at an affordable cost. After two decades, the Performing Arts Sunday Series (PASS) remains a vibrant cultural cornerstone in Hamilton, showcasing internationally acclaimed performing artists through an accessible ticketing model. Additionally, PASS enriches the artistic community with an annual opera master class, offering emerging artists a unique chance to refine their skills under the guidance of professional performers. Dances at the Bay, born from the conclusion of a decade-long partnership with Dusk Dances Inc., is now a free self-produced three-day festival held outdoors at Bayfront Park. This festival has grown to encompass more opportunities for community engagement and represents a continued commitment to the city, as a festival uniquely for Hamilton by Hamilton.

There is a profound power in the arts to inspire, to instill confidence, and to foster a broader sense of well-being. Living in these divisive times, it is more important than ever to invest in the arts as a beacon of hope and a force of unity within our communities. When art is made accessible to all, its potential is truly limitless. This is a truth that the HCA umbrella of organizations has always recognized. Thanks to the generous support of funders like the Incite Foundation, the HCA is able to make a lasting and widespread positive impact in our community. The HCA extends their heartfelt gratitude to all the board members and staff for their profound commitment to the organization’s success – with special thanks to Liz Stirling – for their unwavering support of the arts and our community.