Nia Centre for the
Arts
We are a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization that supports, showcases and promotes an appreciation of arts from across the African Diaspora.
Our space at 524 Oakwood Ave is Canada’s first professional Black arts centre. The Nia Centre is a space built with purpose and dedicated to Black artists and young creatives. Designed to serve a wide array of multi and interdisciplinary arts, the Centre provides the community with a multi-purpose performance theatre, event space, a digital media lab, exhibition space and a dedicated youth hub.
At Nia Centre for the Arts, we recognize the importance of making arts spaces accessible for everyone. We are committed to providing members of the public with an inclusive and diverse cultural space that is welcoming and responsive to community needs.
Want to know more about accessibility at Nia Centre? Visit the Our Space page.
Where Art Makes Culture
What We Do
We create spaces for Black Art by supporting professional and emerging artists to learn, grow and show their art.
For Artists
We provide opportunities for Afro-diasporic artists to gain new skills, hone their artistic practices, and push their creative limits.
For Youth
We provide young people the opportunity to explore a wide range of creative pathways and expand their artistic abilities. We are an approved vendor with TDSB and provide culturally-relevant school workshops.
For Community
We produce and present exhibitions both at the Centre and across Toronto. We showcase work from Afro-diasporic artists across a range of disciplines and mediums – showcasing work provokes, challenges, and inspires our community.
What's On
There’s always something you can be a part of. Check out our upcoming events & opportunities below:
Learn More
NiaFlix: Kiki (2016)
June 19, 2025
7:00PM - 10:00PM
524 Oakwood Ave, Toronto, ON M6E 2X1
Don't miss this special Pride screening of this electric ballroom documentary!
Learn More
The Power of Black Portraiture with Gordon Shadrach
June 25, 2025
7:00PM - 9:00PM
524 Oakwood Ave, Toronto, ON M6E 2X1
Join us for this talk on the value of Black portraiture—how to win a $25K prize
Learn More
The Pull Up: Summer Series
July 7 - August 29, 2025
10:00AM - 5:00PM
524 Oakwood Ave, Toronto, ON M6E 2X1
Impact on our Community
What gets measured gets done. Here’s a summary of what we did in the last year:
Artists
were served through 33 programs, workshops and artist talks
Youth
attended programming specifically aimed at their academic, social and artistic development
Mentees
were matched with 83 established professional artists through our Mentorship program
Students
participated in programs built in collaboration with various schools across the GTA
Community Events
showcasing Black Canadian artists and hosting local Black businesses at the Nia Centre
Our Supporters
As a charity, we’re grateful for the support of our donors and supporters which enable the work we do.
Copyright © 2025 Nia Centre for the Arts All Right Reserved.
