Across Ontario, the arts and culture sector is facing an unprecedented spatial crisis. Escalating real estate costs, inflation, and over-capacity municipal and non-profit facilities have made finding affordable, permanent workspace an overwhelming barrier to creative practice.

To address this urgent challenge, ArtsBuild Ontario (ABO), in partnership with the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, Why Not Theatre, Mass Culture, the City of Waterloo, and Lowland Properties, embarked on a groundbreaking two-year Meanwhile Space Pilot Project in the Waterloo Region (October 1, 2024 – March 31, 2026).

The “meanwhile space” model offers a tactical solution by transforming vacant commercial, municipal, or underutilized properties into temporary, low-to-no-cost workspaces for artists under flexible leasing structures. While previously proven in major urban hubs like Toronto, ABO’s pilot specifically tested the feasibility, scalability, and operational realities of this model within mid-sized municipalities.

Today, we are thrilled to release our comprehensive Summary Report and actionable Toolkit, charting a clear roadmap for space activation across Ontario.

Key Insights & Sector Takeaways from the Report:

• Mid-Sized Municipal Adaptation: Integrating sector data and regional research from Why Not Theatre, the report sheds light on how spatial and transit needs differ in mid-sized cities compared to major metropolitan hubs.
• The “Evolution” Framework: Moving past the narrative of simple temporary “transitions,” the report introduces an “Evolution” model demonstrating how short-term pop-up installations can serve as long-term catalysts for permanent cultural infrastructure and artist retention.
• Navigating Zoning and Adaptive Reuse: The report provides crucial technical clarity on municipal zoning models (such as Waterloo’s E3 zoning) and addresses the distinct logistical nuances of adaptive reuse–highlighting how repurposing former community centers presents entirely different accessibility, AODA compliance, and building safety dynamics than heavy industrial properties.
• Balancing Predictability & Financial Sustainability: A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis breaks down the true cost of managing meanwhile spaces, examining “hard property overheads” (operating expenses and realty taxes) relative to artist utilization, and evaluating sustainable future fee models once free pilot periods conclude.
• Multi-Sector Perspectives: Vital reflections from municipal space partners (the City of Waterloo) and private property owners (Lowland Properties) provide a 360-degree blueprint on what makes external stakeholders comfortable with executing flexible meanwhile leases.

What’s inside the Toolkit?

The accompanying Meanwhile Spaces Toolkit serves as a highly practical, step-by-step operational guide for arts administrators, planners, and landowners alike. Utilizing a simplified “pathway motif” and an extensive “Learning from Doing” section, it walks you through:

• Template developer and municipal agreements (balancing flexible 30-day exit clauses with artist predictability).
• Space accessibility, equity considerations, and site vetting scorecards.
• Strategic insights into property liability insurance and cohort-based tenant onboarding.

Whether you are a municipal planner looking to revitalize a decommissioned asset, a developer seeking social impact for a vacant storefront, or an artist looking to build local spatial capacity, these resources are designed for you.

Download and Read the Full Report Here

Access the Practical Toolkit Here

From Rented Survival to Lasting Security: Create a Permanent Home for Your Community’s Stories

ArtsBuild Ontario and The Creative School at TMU launch the SPRE Arts Space Lab—an intensive 8-week Certificate program for mid-to-senior arts leaders across Ontario.

Local property markets rarely play by the rules of the arts sector. Whether your organization is navigating shifting lease dynamics in an urban core, managing an aging heritage facility in a mid-sized town, or trying to launch a brand-new creative hub in a rural community, the challenge is identical: securing space your community can actually rely on.

Introducing the Certificate in Social Purpose Real Estate (SPRE) for Arts Spaces.

In partnership with ArtsBuild Ontario (ABO) and The Creative School at TMU, this hybrid professional development program is specifically engineered to arm working, full-time arts managers across the province with the real estate essentials, alternative financial models, and systemic advocacy strategies needed to protect, manage, and grow their physical footprints.

By joining this cohort, you aren’t just registering for a course—you are gaining lifetime entry into an exclusive provincial network of SPRE-trained arts leaders, building a community of practice that extends long after the final module wrapper.

Turn Your Vision Into Clear Infrastructure:

Every single module is tied directly to a tangible project outcome. Over 8 weeks, you will build a comprehensive, fully audited Space Vision Plan and Pitch Deck tailored to your community’s specific urban or rural geographic realities. At our final Capstone Showcase, you will present your plan live to a curated panel of institutional funders, real estate experts, and municipal policy authorities.

For more information, visit our SPRE Arts Space Lab page

As we embrace the full energy of the season, ArtsBuild Ontario (ABO) is sharing an important update regarding our temporary space activations. On May 29th, 2026, our time operating the creative space at Wing 404 officially came to an end.

Wing 404 was established as a unique, short-term project designed to provide a highly controlled and accessible environment for local makers, performers, and creators to practice their craft, collaborate, and push artistic boundaries. While this specific activation has reached its scheduled conclusion, we are incredibly proud of everything our community achieved within those walls.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Partners and Artists

An initiative like Wing 404 is only possible through deep community collaboration. We want to extend our sincere gratitude to the City of Waterloo and their Economic Development and Cultural Planning teams for partnering with us to bring this space to life. Their dedication to fostering creative industries and piloting innovative uses for municipal spaces has been vital.

Most importantly, we want to thank the incredible lineup of local artists and collectives who utilized Wing 404. From rehearsals to independent studio sessions, your energy, passion, and immense talent filled the building and proved just how vital flexible, affordable workspaces are to the heartbeat of Waterloo Region.

Looking Forward: Artist Studios Available at 99 King!

While the doors to Wing 404 have closed, ArtsBuild Ontario remains fully committed to connecting artists with the spaces they need to thrive.

If you are a creator currently looking for a professional, stable workspace to anchor your practice, we have great news! We currently have vacant artist studio spaces available at our 99 King workspace in Kitchener. Joining 99 King means becoming part of a supportive, collaborative community of local artists, with access to spaces tailored to help your creative work flourish.

Want to secure your new studio?

Don’t wait to find your next creative home. For more information regarding square footage, rental rates, or to book a tour of the available vacancies at 99 King, please reach out to us directly at coordinator@artsbuildontario.ca or explore our Spaces Page.

Or our short-term rental space.

Thank you again to everyone who made the Wing 404 project a resounding success—we look forward to creating with you next at 99 King!

Our CSMN 2026 cohort is officially in full swing! We’re co-creating the future of our creative spaces

We have some exciting news for the downtown Kitchener arts community! Our “Meanwhile Space” project at 99 King Street West has been officially extended. We are now inviting artists to join this unique shared studio residency through August 30th, 2026.

If you’ve been looking for a bright, professional, and central place to anchor your practice this summer, now is the time to apply.

The Vision: A Suite Built for Creativity

In partnership with Lowland Properties Group, we’ve taken a dynamic vacant suite on the third floor of 99 King and transformed it into a collaborative haven for visual artists.

This isn’t just a room; it’s a dedicated environment designed to help you connect with other local creators while maintaining your own focused workspace.

Space Details at a Glance

• The Footprint: Each artist is allotted a 14’ x 14’ workspace.

• The Vibe: Classic urban loft with plenty of natural light, high ceilings, and downtown energy.

• Amenities: The suite is equipped with a dedicated paint sink, full heating and air conditioning, and gender-neutral washrooms.

• Access: Work on your own schedule with secure 24/7 FOB access.

• The Walk-up: Please note, this beautiful third-floor space is accessed via 44 stairs (no elevator), perfect for those who don’t mind a bit of a daily climb!

Affordable & Accessible

We know that price is a major barrier for many artists. To keep this space accessible, the cost is just $330.00 per month (all-inclusive).

Claim One of the Final 3 Spots

We currently have 3 out of 5 spots available for artists practicing visual arts, media arts, or other “quiet” creative disciplines.

Because this is a meanwhile space residency, these spots are available specifically through August 30th, 2026. Whether you have a specific project you need to wrap up or you’re looking to kickstart a new body of work this summer, 99 King is ready for you.

Ready to move in? Apply Here

Need Support? If you have questions about the layout, accessibility, or the application process, please reach out to our team at coordinator@artsbuildontario.ca.