Arts Grants Fund continues to support the arts across Waterloo Region
In 2020, Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) established an arts grants stream to support small to mid-sized arts organizations and collectives that were struggling during the pandemic. The Arts Grants Fund continues to provide funding based on the needs of our community on an annual basis.
Here are two examples of organizations that were supported through WRCF’s Arts Grants Fund in 2022:
HIP-HOP HOPE: Bonn Park Media film project provides platform for local musicians with support from WRCF Arts Grants Fund
Sara Geidlinger, Co-Founder, Bonn Park Media - Photo Credit: Andy Wright
Bonn Park Media describes itself as “Waterloo Region’s Local Storytellers.”
So, when Bonn Park Co-Founders Sara Geidlinger and Marshall Ward sensed there was a local story to be told, there was only ever going to be one conclusion.
They’d tell the story, of course.
Hip Hop Hope is that story. The documentary film created by Bonn Park Media shines a light on Waterloo Region’s hip-hop scene, showcasing the highs and lows experienced by local emerging and established artists.
Bonn Park’s latest project received financial support in 2022 from Waterloo Region Community Foundation’s Arts Grants Fund, which, since 2020 has been providing funding to small or medium sized arts organizations and collectives, as well as projects focused on the arts.
The folks behind Bonn Park were motivated to create the documentary after interviewing hip-hop artists during the inaugural Mel Brown Music Festival and Symposium in 2022 and watching Betty Anne Keller’s Rock This Town music documentary.
The central character in Hip Hop Hope is local artist and podcaster Jon Corbin, who was involved in the Mel Brown festival and teaches a hip-hop workshop for Black youth.
Kitchener-based hip-hop artist, producer and small business owner Sam Nabi helped curate local talent while local Juno Award-winning artist Carlos Morgan, and Sandra Tyler, host of 98.5 CKWR’s Black Exposed program, were a few other notables to lend their voice to the film.
While meeting with local hip-hop artists such as Life of Dreamerz, Young Lungs, Ramsay Almighty and Shad during the film’s production, common themes were cemented.
"There's lots of great music happening here and beyond," Geidlinger said. (But that) these artists are fighting for these same arts grants is troubling because there’s only so much of that in the region."
WRCF’s Arts Grants Fund meant the film producers could pay musicians for their time and talents while covering their production costs.
For more information on Bonn Park Media, visit bonnpark.com.
To learn more about WRCF’s Arts Grants Fund, go to wrcf.ca/artsgrants.
‘EXTRAORDINARY TALENT HERE’: Pinch Cabaret puts spotlight on area artists with help from WRCF
Aashay Dalvi - Photo credit: Phi Doan
Ben Gorodetsky waited patiently for the pandemic lockdowns to come to an end so he could get back to work.
“I need shows. I need people. I need art in my life,” Gorodetsky said. “I need to connect passively or actively with people who are interested in getting together about art.”
When the world finally re-opened, Gorodetsky – a Vancouver-raised artist who moved to Waterloo Region from New York during the pandemic -- sprung into action.
Enter Pinch -- a “community arts hub,” “performance base” and “performing arts laboratory” in Waterloo Region that includes a comedy show, improv classes, and its flagship Pinch Cabaret monthly variety show.
Miriam Stewart-Kroeker - Photo credit: Phi Doan
In 2021 and 2022, Pinch received financial support from Waterloo Region Community Foundation’s Arts Grants Fund, established in 2020 to provide funding to small or medium sized arts organizations and collectives, as well as projects focused on the arts.
Pinch Cabaret celebrates artistic cross-pollination, spotlighting performers across the artistic spectrum.
Monthly performances are held at Button Factory Arts Centre in Uptown Waterloo.
Pinch Cabaret’s concept – multiple performers each presenting 10-minute sets – has lent itself to reaching a wider audience.
“People are more permissive with these short-form variety formats and are more adventurous,” said Gorodetsky, Pinch’s Creator, Producer and Artistic Director.
The cabaret’s ability to pay fair wages to its performers -- a direct benefit of WRCF’s Arts Grants Fund – has been a critical element in retaining the services of talented artists.
“There’s extraordinary talent here, and it’s worth investing energy and time into cultivating that talent and platforming that talent and professionalizing that talent," Gorodetsky said. “Paying them real money. And giving them regular ongoing opportunities to hone their bit, whatever it is."
Pinch also produces the Together We’re Boisterous Comedy Show (running monthly at Together We’re Bitter Co-Operative Brewing in Kitchener) and various improv workshops.
For more information on Pinch, visit pinchpinchpinch.com.
To learn more about WRCF’s Arts Grants Fund, go to wrcf.ca/artsgrants.
