ArtsBuild Ontario (ABO) is excited to launch the Meanwhile Space Pilot Project in Waterloo Region. Presented in partnership with the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, the City of Waterloo, and Why Not Theatre, ABO is pleased to provide FREE spaces for artists and organizations to fulfill a need for increased access to space.
A meanwhile space model allows for the temporary use of vacant business properties, typically granted to community organizations like local non-profits or charitable groups. This arrangement enables these organizations to use the space for non-commercial purposes on a short-term basis. This program is open to local artists and arts organizations looking for space to create new works.
Participating spaces
- 99 King Street West, Kitchener – Lowland Properties Group
- Wing 404, Waterloo – City of Waterloo
Please visit the webpage for each space for more information about accessibility, dimensions, and potential uses.
Timelines
- EOI Opens: Monday, January 27th, 2025
- Office hours: Thursday, January 30th to February 13, 2025
- EOI Closes: Friday, February 21st, 2025
- Space access begins: March 2025
Office Hours
Office hours will take place the following times:
- Thursday, January 30th, 2025 @1-5 pm
- Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 @ 1-5 pm
- Thursday, February 13th, 2025 @1-5 pm
Sign up for office hours here.
Application Process
Non-profit organizations, artist collectives, and artists of all disciplines are invited to submit an expression of interest (EOI). The project supports artists and organizations in music, theater, dance, and visual arts. Other disciplines will also be considered.
Please only submit an EOI for one participating space and tailor your EOI to reflect accessing that particular space. There is room in the application to identify openness to other spaces if your preference is not available.
Selection criteria
- Alignment between creative practice and the facility
- Current resources and needs
- Availability to start accessing the space
- Alignment with other applicants
- Short-term access and long-term access needs
ABO and the Advisory Committee are not selecting space users based on artist merit or years of experience. We will prioritize artists and organization applicants who have experienced systemic barriers to accessing space that is essential for their creative practice.
Applications will be reviewed by ABO staff and the advisory committee who will collectively assess all submitted EOIs.
EOI Forms
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which meanwhile space is the best fit for my practice?
Please consider:
- These spaces will be shared with other creatives who will be accessing them simultaneously. Is your creative practice compatible with sharing space? Consider noise, lighting needs, scent, and group size when identifying your preferred space.
- Time of day you need to access space.
- Accessibility and facility needs for your work (eg elevators, paint sinks, ventilation).
- Capacity: if your work involves hosting workshops or classes, consider the capacity of the space in relation to your group size.
- In addition to offering space to work and create, participating meanwhile spaces will also offer opportunities for networking, inspiration, and collaboration. Consider how you would like to engage with fellow creatives in the space, what resources you have to share, and what you hope to learn from others.
I have never had a studio before. How do I know if I am ready for this project?
We encourage expressions of interest from creatives at all stages in their career. Consider what environment you work best in, the accessibility of the venues, and the needs of your creative practice.
Is there storage available?
Storage use depends on which space you access, the frequency of space use, and the amount of storage you need. Please contact the Program Coordinator (coordinator@artsbuildontario.ca ) with questions about storage needs for your specific project.
How do I know who else will be in space?
One benefit of a meanwhile spaces model is being exposed to new people. If your EOI is successful, you will have the opportunity to meet neighbors while in the space. ABO will do our best to place everyone in sites and during times that consider the project needs of participants.
What if I am accepted and later decide this program is not the right fit for me?
We hope that artists accepted into the program complete their term in the program. However, if circumstances change you can discuss your needs with the Program Coordinator. ABO will do our best to reallocate space that becomes available sooner to shortlisted applicants.
Will I be able to bring other people into these spaces?
Please see the web pages for the relevant space you’re accessing for more information on capacity and being a considerate neighbor in a shared space.
What activities are prohibited?
Prohibited activities include:
- Sub-leasing your space to others not included in your participant agreement
- Offering access to others not included in your practice when you are not onsite
- Smoking on the premises
- Open flames
- Drug and alcohol use on the premises
- Disrespectful, violent, and discriminatory behavior toward other tenants, staff, and community members
- Excessive noise
- Unsanitary practices, including improper disposal of trash
Who can I contact for questions and support with my EOI?
Please email coordinator@artsbuildontario.ca for support requests.
Advisory Committee
This project is guided by an advisory committee comprised of local leaders with experience in shared creative spaces, as tenants, creators and arts administrators. The advisory committee supports this project through quarterly meetings, reviewing project materials, and reviewing Expressions of Interest.
Sam Varteniuk, Registry Theater
Sam Varteniuk currently serves as the Executive Director for The Registry Theatre, a small performing arts venue dedicated to setting local artists and presenters up for success. He has a passion for production and fostering new partnerships.
Ravi Jain, Why Not Theatre
Ravi Jain is a Toronto-based, award-winning stage director and the founding artistic director of Why Not Theatre, and is known for creating bold, accessible, and politically charged theatrical works. His innovative productions and collaborative models have both made a significant impact on indie and larger theater scenes, supporting emerging artists. Jain has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the 2012 Pauline McGibbon Award and the 2016 Canada Council John Hirsch Prize, and has trained at École Jacques Lecoq and with Cirque du Soleil.
Mary Anderson, Why Not Theater
Mary Anderson has an academic background in Women’s and Gender Studies, Photography, and Urban Agriculture. She has led and produced a variety of public programs within Toronto’s arts and culture sector, including community arts, curatorial projects, literary events, artist workshops, new media, and theater. Mary is the Lead Producer of Why Not Theatre’s Space Project.
Oliver Pauk, Akin Collective
Oliver Pauk is a practicing visual artist and the Founder and Director of Akin, Toronto’s artist-run creative workspace. He holds an Honors BA, Specialist in Economics from the University of Toronto. oliverpauk.com.
Eric Rumble, City of Kitchener
Eric Rumble is a multidisciplinary project coordinator, content developer and problem solver with 25 years of experience making ideas happen in the magazine industry and public service. Eric’s role as the City of Kitchener’s coordinator of arts & creative industries has involved him in cultivating an affordable artists’ workspace model at 44 Gaukel, refreshing the City’s public art policy, wrangling many temporary art activities & hatching strange things like The Beasting.
Sam Nabi, Musician
Sam Nabi is a community organizer and hip-hop artist living on the Haldimand Tract in downtown Kitchener. As a musician, poet, and promoter, Sam sees music as a catalyst for joy and community-building. Sam seeks to uplift emerging artists and has created space to celebrate local legends with his involvement in various documentary and interview projects.
Fitsum Areguy, Writer and Community Organizer
Fitsum Areguy is a writer, scholar-activist, and cultural worker based on the Haldimand Tract in Kitchener, ON. He is the co-founder and co-director for Textile, a hyper-local arts collective that provides publishing, mentorship, and curation for writers and artists, particularly those from historically marginalized and excluded groups. His writing has appeared in Briarpatch Magazine, ByBlacks, Canadian Dimension, New Sociology, WR Record, Toronto Star, CBC, and Korea Exposé, among others.
Matt White, Co-Founder and Artistic Director
Matt White is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Green Light Arts (GLA) in Kitchener Ontario. GLA has been operating the Conrad Center for the Performing Arts on behalf of the City of Kitchener since November 2023. Directing credits for Green Light Arts include: Izad Etemadi: Let Me Explain , This Is How We Got Here , WE COULD BE , Will You Be My Friend , Touch , and The Amish Project . In May 2024 Matt and GLA Co-founder, Carin Lowerison starred in GLA’s production of Late Company directed by Kwaku Okyere. Prior to GLA Matt was the Associate Producer and then General Manager of Necessary Angel Theater Company. He has also held administrative positions with The Company Theater and Factory Theater in Toronto and Theater & Company in Kitchener. He is a sessional instructor at the University of Waterloo and teaches a workshop in Producing and General Management at the National Theater School in Montreal.
JustIdeas, Music Production Company
Based out of Ontario, Canada, Just Ideas is formed by two Canadian music producers, Josh Polasz and Jorge Pineda. The duo came together by chance on a collaboration and shortly after decided to team up for future projects. With their backgrounds in studio and live production, they bring a unique look to every room. Known for their ability to develop artists, they have helped bring acts to the next level like 730RARRI (10K Projects), Roderick Porter (Warner), Cat Dealers (Ultra) and Dom Vallie. Some of the team’s favorite collaborators include 347aidan, Alx Veliz, Anders, BankNRanx, Farruko, Fito Blanko, illmind, Jay Isaiah, Kofi, Lavi$h, Murda Beatz, Pressa, Rêve and Slow Mike.
