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.

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!

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!

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.