Creative Spaces Now Available!

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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!

In Memory of Shannon Lee

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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

SPRE for Arts Spaces Case Study: 221A

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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.

Leadership Transition at ArtsBuild Ontario

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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.

ArtsBuild Ontario Launches Meanwhile Spaces Pilot Program in Waterloo Region

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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.