Exciting News for Creatives in the Waterloo Region! 

ArtsBuild Ontario is thrilled to announce the recruitment for our third cohort for the Meanwhile Spaces in Waterloo Region partnership with the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund and local organizations.

Artists and organizations are invited to APPLY for the opportunity to access a below market rental space across different sites in Waterloo and Kitchener, from now until  March 31st, 2026. 

Potential uses for space include:

• Visual artist studios
• Wellness classes, such as yoga and meditation
• Music lessons (vocal or instrumental)
• Small and medium band or theatre group rehearsals

APPLY NOW!

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our colleague and friend, Shannon Lee, who joined ArtsBuild Ontario as the Meanwhile Spaces Coordinator in November 2024.

Shannon was determined, genuine, funny, and eager. They asked thoughtful questions and always showed compassion. Shannon was a gentle person, and this is one of many reasons they were able to spearhead the Meanwhile Spaces Project so successfully; artists opened up to them, and Shannon was always a kind advocate and found ways to make our arts spaces more accessible and accepting. The passion they brought for the local arts community greatly strengthened the program and influenced how they transformed spaces into places for community and connection. Their warmth and authenticity were felt by everyone who had the privilege of collaborating with them.

Beyond their work with ArtsBuild Ontario, Shannon was an active and respected member of the local music community. They were a gifted singer, writer, musician, and sound technician whose creativity and passion inspired everyone who had the privilege of crossing paths with them. ArtsBuild had the privilege of seeing Shannon perform with their band House Cat as a team outing, and were blown away by the powerful voice that came out of this gentle person. 

The impact of Shannon’s time with us will continue to resonate through the artists, tenants, staff, and partners they worked alongside, and through the relationships that they built across this community.

Our hearts go out to their family, friends, and the many people whose lives they touched. We are working with community partners to support a gathering for the local arts community in Shannon’s honour at an appropriate time, and will share details once they are available.

Shannon’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help offset the costs of her funeral, with any surplus being donated to CAMH.  

https://www.gofundme.com/f/shannon-regan-youngeun-lee

ArtsBuild Ontario is pleased to announce the publication of the second case study in our SPRE for Arts Spaces program, featuring 221A in Vancouver!

221A is the largest non-profit cultural space operator in B.C., providing a total of 145 rent-stabilized artist studios and housing units across 6 properties. Their projects incorporate flexible, adaptable spaces that include artist studios, cultural venues, and affordable housing. This case study explores the development of 825 Pacific, a seven-storey, purpose-built arts and cultural center and the first certified commercial Passive House building in Vancouver.  825 Pacific includes 23 non-market studios, 3 Fellowship studios, a fellowship library, a project/event space, and a 50-person coworking space. The journey of 221Aa and 825 Pacific is a compelling example of how a long-term vision, community involvement, and strategic partnerships can bring a social purpose real estate project to life. Read this case study to learn how 221A approached sustainability, community, financing and governance in this one-of-a-kind new build.

Check out the case study in English and French here.

ArtsBuild Ontario (ABO) is proud to announce the launch of the Meanwhile Space Pilot Project in Waterloo Region. This innovative initiative aims to tackle the growing demand for affordable arts spaces by offering temporary use of underutilized vacant properties to artists and arts organizations.

The Meanwhile Space Pilot Project is a response to the urgent need for more arts spaces in Waterloo Region. Existing arts facilities are at full capacity, while high real-estate costs and the post-pandemic economic recovery make it difficult for arts organizations to afford permanent, purpose-built spaces. By regenerating vacant properties and offering them to the local arts community, the project will foster a more vibrant, accessible arts scene in the region, while also contributing to the revitalization of underused urban spaces. 

This project provides valuable insight on the demand for creative spaces and the potential for long-term investments in the arts. For property developers, it opens the door to future collaborations that can drive growth and investment in Waterloo Region.

The Meanwhile Space Pilot Project will provide no-cost and highly subsidized creative spaces that repurpose vacant commercial properties for temporary, non-commercial use by local artists and arts organizations. This model has been successfully tested by Why Not Theatre and Akin Collective in Toronto, and now ABO aims to replicate this success in Waterloo Region. The pilot project will take place in 2025 with space activation beginning as early as March. 

Participating locations include:

• 99 King Street West – Kitchener
• Wing 404 – Waterloo

The project will not only support local artists but also provide valuable insights for future arts space initiatives across Canada. In addition to offering space, ABO will also produce a comprehensive evaluation report, detailing the successes and challenges of the model, as well as a Meanwhile Space Manual to guide future iterations in other regions in Ontario and across Canada.

This project is guided by an Advisory Committee and is made possible by the support of Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, the City of Waterloo, and Why Not Theatre. For more information about the project, visit  https://www.artsbuildontario.ca/meanwhilespaces.

As the 2023-24 Creative Spaces Mentoring Network comes to a close, we are happy to reflect on this past year and all of the accomplishments that the 72 mentees and mentors were able to achieve. For the first time, the program took place across two different provinces, and we have been thrilled with the level of participation and engagement from everyone involved. 

The Wrap-Up Webinars in both Ontario and Calgary provided a wonderful opportunity for each cohort to come together one final time and share their experiences and achievements. We enjoyed hearing the mentees share their projects and collaborations, highlighting not just their program goals but also the personal growth they experienced throughout the mentorship journey. 

Some participants achieved their initial goals, while others found that their goals shifted as the year progressed. Regardless of their individual paths, it was clear that the mentoring relationships forged through the Creative Spaces Mentoring Network were powerful and impactful. This program goes beyond just skill development; it’s about fostering trust, navigating the arts and culture sector, overcoming challenges, and building a supportive network. Now in its 9th iteration, the Creative Spaces Mentoring Network continues to connect Ontario’s creative community that will continue to grow, even after the program concludes. We also look forward to returning to Alberta for another year in Fall 2024! 

During the Ontario Wrap-Up Webinar, the cohort participated in an Arts and Culture Sector Trivia Game, testing their knowledge of the arts sector. If you’re curious about your own knowledge, you can take the quiz too! Participants also shared their concluding thoughts about the program, and we wrapped up with some tips on how to close off the mentorships.

Meanwhile, the Calgary Wrap-Up Webinar featured a thought-provoking talk by guest speaker Cory Nespor, co-founder of  Nvrlnd Arts Foundation. From a program survey, we learned that mentees were particularly interested in focusing on business/strategic planning and building community relationships. Cory was able to provide valuable insights on the evolving landscape of creative spaces and how to best support artists in Calgary. 

As we look back on the past year, we are amazed by the growth and success stories that emerged from the Creative Spaces Mentoring Network. The relationships formed between mentors and mentees extended beyond professional collaborations, with many evolving into new friendships. We are excited to welcome the 2024-25 cohort and see what new creative projects are emerging in the sector!