Project: Artista actively engages Montreal’s female youth through the performing arts. Artista guides participants through theatrical creation, leading to presentations to several communities. Its second annual session begins in the spring of 2016. Target Participants: Artista welcomes young women in need, aged 16-21, from the island of Montreal. Priority is given to young women in Little Burgundy. Participants are linked to professional artists through training, mentorship and first-hand experience in performance in art as a tool in confidence building and assured self-expression. By increasing accessibility and welcoming a vulnerable age-group and gender to our program, Artista empowers female youth to become leaders and catalysts of change in their communities.Community: Artista is based in Little Burgundy and gives acceptance priority to young women from this community. Partners: Georges Vanier Cultural Center – rehearsal space Concordia University – playwrighting apprenticeship,The AMY Project – education program support , Black Theatre Workshop – mentorship program expertise, Geordie Productions – professional performance space