My daughter is going to Cardinal Carter (TCDSB but I don't think it makes a difference). The majority of the kids in some programs seem to be Asian, so I don't buy the argument about whites. She managed to get in just with her talent and her hard work - long weekends and nights working on her portfolio, with no private lessons. She wakes up at 6:30 every day and spends 1h commuting each way (subway and 2 buses). So you don't need to be wealthy. Teachers, family and friends must recognize potential, encourage, plant some seeds and let the kids choose their way (all we did is register her in a few art camps over the years, take her to the AGO and limit the time spent on gadgets). Schools can provide exposure to the arts and plant the early seeds with little funding. However, we cannot equalize downwards. The talented kids who make it into specialty programs thrive because they are challenged in the right environment. In another setting they would probably lose interest.