Shelburne’s Streams Creative Hub turns ten

Streams Creative Hub is preparing for a major celebration on October 6^th, 2026, as it marks 10 years of serving youth and families in Shelburne and surrounding communities.

Founded in 2016 by Andrew and Juli-Anne James, the arts-based, youth-focused charity was created to provide young people with greater access to creative programming. Based in Shelburne, in Dufferin County, Streams has grown from a small grassroots organization into a community hub offering music, drama, visual arts and other creative programs. Its mission is to ignite learning, inspire youth and enrich the community through the arts.

The anniversary will be marked with a three-hour telethon from 6:00 pm to 9:00 p.m. The fundraising event is intended to help support another decade of arts and life-skills programming.

When Streams began, there were limited arts opportunities available to local youth between the ages of 4 and 17. The organization has since expanded its programming while continuing to focus on creating a safe and supportive environment where young people can develop confidence, creativity and community connections.

The Hub has also expanded its programming to include adults.

TCN Now interviewed Juli-Anne and Andrew James on September 16^th, 2026, about the upcoming telethon. Juli-Anne, Streams’ executive director, said the need for accessible programming has grown as communities across the largely rural region continue to face gaps in youth activities and services.

Andrew James, a trained actor and community leader, has also spent years working with young people. His background in ministry and the arts has shaped his belief in investing time, talent and resources into helping youth discover and develop their creative abilities.

Juli-Anne discussed the challenges of securing funding. She said Streams received funding only once from a series of applications, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Limited funding has made the upcoming telethon an important fundraising initiative for the organization.

One feature of the anniversary campaign is the “Word of Mouth Monologue,” which will include video entries and three prize categories: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second and $250 for third.

The organization has also developed an entrepreneurial social enterprise, Town Tees, which provides employment opportunities and generates revenue that supports Streams’ programming. The enterprise employs up to 22 people, including full- and part-time workers.

The telethon will feature live youth performances, local artists painting on air, alumni stories, celebrity appeals, a live donor counter and other activities. Streams is also seeking 1,000 monthly donors willing to contribute $10 each month.

The organization describes the event as “The Good Old-Fashioned Telethon,” capturing its intention to combine nostalgia with a very current need: sustainable community funding.

The anniversary celebration will also include opportunities for participants to enter contests and help unlock a special 10th Anniversary Memory Box, with 10 winners drawn during the event.

For Streams, the anniversary is an opportunity to raise the resources needed to continue providing accessible arts programming for children and youth in Shelburne and surrounding communities.

After a decade of growth, the organization is asking the community to help fund the next chapter. The telethon will take place October 6^th, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 p.m. Information about Streams Creative Hub and its programs is available at streamshub.org.