ArtsBuild Ontario Welcomes New Executive Director, Bruce Pitkin

Written by

The Board of Directors of ArtsBuild Ontario is thrilled to announce the appointment of Bruce Pitkin as our new Executive Director, effective October 27, 2025.

Bruce joins ArtsBuild Ontario with a wealth of experience in arts leadership and a passion for strengthening the spaces where creativity thrives. His a

ppointment marks an exciting new chapter for ABO as we continue to support and advocate for the sustainability of arts facilities across the province.

 

Meet Bruce

Bruce Pitkin brings over two decades of leadership experience in Ontario’s arts and community sectors, combining expertise in cultural infrastructure, advocacy, and organizational development. He has served as Executive Director of both Art Starts and Theatre Ontario, guiding province-wide initiatives that advanced equity, access, and sustainability in the arts. Most recently, Bruce worked with United Way Perth-Huron as Commu

nity Impact Manager, where he led housing and funding initiatives focused on social equity and community resilience.

A former ArtsBuild Ontario board member, Bruce has also contributed to sector advocacy through his work with United Way Greater Toronto, the Stratford Arts & Culture Collective, and as Co-Chair of PASO-OPSA and a member of Mass Culture’s Governance Group. His long-standing commitment to building sustainable creative spaces and fostering collaboration across disciplines continues to inspire his work.

From the Board President

“Bruce brings an incredible mix of vision, experience, and passion to ArtsBuild Ontario. His leadership will be instrumental in guiding our next chapter as we continue to advance the sustainability and accessibility of arts facilities throughout Ontario. The Board looks forward to working alongside Bruce as we shape a stronger future for the spaces that make creativity possible.” — Bryn Jones, President, Board of Directors, ArtsBuild Ontario

We look forward to welcoming Bruce to the ABO community later this month and to the new energy and ideas he will bring to our mission.

Thank you for continuing to support ArtsBuild Ontario as we grow and strengthen creative spaces together. 

Leadership Transition at ArtsBuild Ontario

Written by

ArtsBuild Ontario’s Board of Directors announces that Alex Glass will be stepping down as Executive Director effective July 25, 2025. Alex has accepted a new position as Cultural Planning Officer with the City of Brampton, beginning in mid-August.

Alex joined ABO in 2015 as Marketing and Communications Coordinator and went on to serve as Program Manager before becoming Executive Director in 2020. Over the past 10 years, she has been instrumental in the growth and evolution of the organization.

During her time at ABO, Alex led the expansion of national and provincial programs, including the Creative Spaces Mentoring Network, SpaceFinder, and the Learn It | Build It | Manage It workshop series. She also supported projects focused on accessibility, cultural infrastructure, and community-led space development.

As Executive Director, she oversaw the development of ABO’s 2022–25 Strategic Plan and led key initiatives such as:

  • The operations of 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace in Kitchener, with 32 tenants and over 170 short-term renters

  • The Indigenous Creative Spaces Project, culminating in Paddling Upstream with dialogue from over 180 Indigenous voices

  • The Social Purpose Real Estate (SPRE) for Arts Spaces initiative with 21 partners and a micro-credential to be developed with Toronto Metropolitan University

  • The Meanwhile Spaces Pilot in Waterloo Region, launched with support from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, City of Waterloo and Why Not Theatre

Alex’s transition has been planned in consultation with the Board. Recruitment for a new Executive Director will begin shortly, and Alex will remain in an advisory role to support a smooth transition.

“It’s been a privilege to grow with ArtsBuild Ontario over the past 10 years,” said Alex Glass. “ABO has always stood for strengthening the spaces where arts and culture happen, and I’m proud to have helped further that work across the province and beyond. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned into my new role with the City of Brampton’s Cultural Services Division and continue supporting cultural policy and infrastructure in a new way for the arts community.”

“On behalf of the Board, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Alex for her leadership and deep commitment to ArtsBuild Ontario,” said Bryn Jones, Board President. “She has guided the organization through a period of significant change and growth, during an especially difficult time for the arts sector. Thanks to her efforts, ABO is well-positioned to continue supporting the cultural community. We wish her every success in her next chapter.”

ABO remains committed to its mission of supporting creative spaces across Ontario, and we look forward to continuing this work in collaboration with our community and partners as we move into this next phase of the organization’s work.

ABO Learning Series: Hub Culture and Spaces for the Future Webinar

Written by

 

 

Register today for the ABO Learning Series: Hub Culture and Spaces for the Future Webinar on May 2nd, 2024 from 1pm – 2:30pm EST.

In recent years, the concept of “arts hubs” has gained popularity in creative communities. As space for artists and arts organizations becomes increasingly scarce, shared space models have emerged as a cost-effective and sustainable solution. A hub model not only provides affordable space solutions but also creates a sense of community and promotes environmental stewardship through resource sharing.

Let’s look at some of Ontario’s successful creative hubs, with Gonzalo Duarte, Director of Coworking Design & Operations at CSI Spadina, Nevine Sedki, Resource Mobilization Director at SKETCH Working Arts, and Brianne Franklin, Executive Director of the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning to discuss how they have created a community-centered model while offering engaging programs and supporting their tenants, clients, and artists with space. What strategies have these creative hubs implemented to keep their community engaged and thriving? How have they managed to foster a supportive and collaborative environment for their artists and tenants, and what plans do they have for the future?

Join ArtsBuild Ontario for this free webinar and register today!

The Ecology of Indigenous Creative Space & Allyship Workshop

Written by

 

 

Join Dr. Terri-Lynn Brennan alongside ArtsBuild Ontario, for a working session dedicated to the intersection of allyship, Indigenous creative spaces, and self-determination. Held at the Native Earth Performing Arts Aki Studio, in Tkaronto (Toronto), on March 25th from 1pm – 4pm, this session welcomes all arts organizations to rethink their organizational structures toward building relationships as an ally and creating safe and enabling spaces rooted in Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.

Informed by Paddling Upstream and principles platformed by the Two-Row Wampum as guides, we will explore how to actively support and amplify Indigenous voices, address systemic challenges, and foster environments of equally empowered collaboration. We will unpack how Paddling Upstream can be used to support spaces in learning to navigate conversations with Indigenous artists and community, and embrace an approach to developing deeper respect and humility toward Indigenous ways of thinking, being and living.

As the final component of the Indigenous Creative Spaces Project, this workshop marks the culmination of a four-year journey. This project has been instrumental in bringing together Indigenous artists and leaders from across Ontario, creating a relational framework and network to support the work that happens in these very important self-determined spaces. Led by the Indigenous Advisory Circle and supported by ArtsBuild Ontario, the project has fostered an ecology of knowledge informed by and for Indigenous communities. Through a combination of recorded and oral documentation, the project exists to support the inter-related development of Indigenous creative spaces throughout the Province. As we move forward, we must create new models and enhance current Western approaches to build a brighter future.

Generously supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage and Canada Council for the Arts.

Capital Grant Informational Webinar with OTF and ABO

Written by

Join ArtsBuild Ontario for an information session on the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Capital Grant on Thursday, January 25 at 2pm EST with Program Managers Hélène Duquette and Natalie Normand as we talk about OTF’s new grant investment framework, eligibility criteria, and other Capital Grant related questions. 

Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital Grants provide funding to help organizations respond to the needs of Ontario’s communities.

Capital Grants help organizations:

  • Maintain or increase access to a program or service
  • Extend the life of a facility or space (updates to buildings or enhancement of spaces)
  • Purchase equipment
  • Improve a facility or space to make it more accessible

Ontario Trillium Foundation will be accepting applications for their Capital Grant stream, with applications available from February 7, 2024 until the deadline of March 6, 2024 at 5 PM ET. 

Learn more about OTF’s Capital Grant, and register today!