Overture with the Arts has had a mission to empower young Montrealers to discover their artistic potential, express themselves with confidence and develop essential life skills by making arts education accessible through free and low cost programs in the performing arts, visual arts and media arts. This year’s Sweet 16 fundraiser is entitled Mixed Tables and Milestones and it took place in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.
Akilah Newton, founder of Overture with the Arts says, “When I founded Overture with the arts in 2009 never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d be celebrating 16 years, never did I think that 90,000 youth would come through our programs,” but she adds, “the thing that I’m most proud of is seeing kids chase after their dreams and achieve their dreams.”
Newton says, “We’ll see the shyest kid who doesn’t really want to take part in our programs at first and then within a few months they come out of their shell and they’re like the star of the show. So I’m so proud that we’re giving kids these opportunities to really run after their dreams and achieve greatness.”
When asked if there is a specific story about a student that stands out for her, she says, “One story that’s really stuck with me is right before the pandemic we hosted our first annual Teen Songwriting Competition and a 14 year old girl named Billie du Page won. Fast forward to 2026, she now has had a song that was number one in the pop charts in Quebec. It’ll stay at number one for 16 weeks during our 16 year anniversary so that is such an honor for us to be a part of her journey and I will never ever forget that story.”
Newton says over 90,000 kids have gone through their programs since their inception – including Christina Koikaran.
Koikaran says, “I’ve actually been working with Overture since I was 13, I was actually a part of their programs and then I’ve just been a volunteer since then and it’s been such a big part of my life so very happy to celebrate 16 years.”
While their fundraiser was all about having a good time while throwing it back to the 1990’s with live entertainment, Newtown shares a concern that weighs on her mind, “One of the gaps that still exist to offer arts programs to youth is funding. Although there is a lot of funding, there are a lot of funding calls that are announced, the larger organizations get them. The small grassroots organizations like Overture with the Arts unfortunately don’t get a big piece of the pie and that’s why it’s so important for us to host anniversary fundraisers like this to bring in the funds to be able to offer free and low class programs but honestly we need to close that gap and ensure that the small guys are still getting funding because our programs are just as important, just as good and just as necessary.”
Koikaran shares, “Oh, it’s been tremendous for my confidence I would say. It’s built a community for me, you know, when I felt like I didn’t have anywhere to turn to Overture was always there for me and their arts program really gave me a family and so I can’t begin to describe how incredible it’s been for me.”
The volunteer continues, “I think we have to support the arts I think especially now more than ever the arts really brings community together and if we can support Overture the best we can by showing up, by donating I think it’s really great for the community.”
