Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts & Culture

2015 Arts For Youth Award Finalist

Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts & Culture creates a safe space for Filipino-Canadian youth, both second generation and newcomers, to overcome multiple barriers that prevent them from meaningful engagement with society. At Kapisanan, youth activate their creativity to explore identity, fostering pride and self-confidence, inspiring and empowering them to realize their full potential. 

Why are the arts important?

At Kapisanan we use the arts to engage youth. We find that the arts are a wonderful vehicle for uncovering rich stories that the youth want to share with our community. [Through art and art-making], it makes it easier to talk about hard things. – Nicole Cajucom

At Kapisanan, Filipino and culturally specific things are explored within drawing or weaving, etc. Newcomer Filipinos and second generation Filipinos are able to come together and relate with each other through the art that they’re making.  Through art, we’re re able to tackle difficult things for young people in a way that’s fun and accessible for everybody. - Caroline Mangosing

What was your reaction after learning that Kapisanan is a finalist for the Arts for Youth Award?

I’ve been doing this for eight years. To be validated in this way is really really gratifying. I think that it’s a great exit for me, to have this recognition, as I walk away from [my position at Kapisanan]. - Caroline Mangosing

Is there an organization that Kapisanan looks up to?

There wasn’t a model we looked to when we thought about starting Kapisanan. We began Kapisanan because it was what we wanted. I was in my early 30’s when I started it, and Kapisanan is what I would have wanted when I was 18 or 17. - Caroline Mangosing

For me, Kapisanan was a place where I could find a mentor, because growing up I didn’t have my culture reflected in a role model. Joining Kapisanan and working with Caroline has been very rewarding both personally and professionally. – Nicole Cajucom

What are Kapisanan’s goals?

Our mission statement is to engage Filipino-Canadian youth, both second generation and newcomer Filipinos, through the arts and our culture. We engage them because there are a lot of barriers that they face. We want them to come to our space and feel empowered by exploring their cultural roots. We want them to be able to define what it means to be Filipino-Canadian, because it means many different things. – Nicole Cajucom

How do you feel Kapisanan contributes to the city?

Kapisanan contributes to the city by giving Filipino youth a face. With Kapisanan, we’re not necessarily speaking on their behalf, but we’re putting their face out there in whatever we do, through our festival, our programming and in schools.  – Caroline Mangosing

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

At Kapisanan, we provide a place for the broader community in Toronto to be able to find out and explore Filipino culture in a really positive way. We have an open door, where people can come in, and non-Filipinos can participate in our programming.  - Caroline Mangosing

www.kapisanancentre.com