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.