The York Region Arts Council is the only York Region-wide nonprofit charitable arts service organization focused on capacity building, creative place-making and community engagement in support of artists, arts organizations and creative entrepreneurs. In order to realize the potential of our services, we work in partnership with the Regional Municipality of York, each of the Regions nine municipalities (Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora, King Township, Newmarket, Whitchurch-Stouffville, East Gwillimbury and Georgina) as well as other community organizations and businesses.

The Arts Council was first incorporated as Arts Link in 2002 with a focus on connecting York Region public and Catholic schools with artists and implementing arts programming for youth. In 2008, Arts Link changed direction and became the York Region Arts Council. The Arts Council was founded in response to the plethora of under-served artists and arts organizations working in silos and lacking the resources and network to grow capacity.