$747,000 in arts funding distributed to Organizations, Individual Artists, and Arts Collectives across Waterloo Region
WATERLOO REGION, ON — Today, Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) and the Region of Waterloo announced grants totalling $747,000 to support the arts in Waterloo Region:
$502,000 to 37 small and mid-sized arts organizations and arts initiatives at community organizations through funding provided by WRCF’s Arts Grants Fund and several Fundholders, as well as $100,000 from the Region of Waterloo
$15,000 through WRCF’s Arts Grants Fund, as part of a collaboration with the City of Waterloo, that donated another $10,000 to provide a total of $25,000 to support individual artists in our region through the Microgrant Program facilitated by Pat the Dog Theatre Creation
$230,000 to 36 individual artists and arts collectives, through funding provided by the Region of Waterloo
Overall, WRCF received 176 applications requesting more than $1.8 million in arts funding from local organizations, individual artists, and arts collectives. Projects spanned all categories of the arts including: theatre, visual arts, music, dance, film, video, multimedia, publishing, writing, performance, photography, pottery, and many more. Two volunteer committees, comprised of people from the arts community across Waterloo Region developed the granting guidelines and applications, reviewed applications using the criteria outlined in the guidelines, and recommended funding allocations for the Arts Grants Fund.
“Making funding recommendations that reflect the diversity of people across our region, and a wide range of arts disciplines, were priorities for WRCF and both committees reviewing arts applications,” said Eric Avner, President & CEO, Waterloo Region Community Foundation. “The projects selected achieved those goals – but many excellent projects did not receive funding because funding available was 40% of the total requested. Having a vibrant and supported arts community is an important component of creating and maintaining a region where people are connected and thriving, so WRCF is committed to continuing to work with partners across the region to explore options.”
“I am thrilled to see over $300,000 in Regional funding supporting artists and arts organizations of diverse disciplines, a testament to our commitment to vibrancy and creativity across Waterloo Region,” said Karen Redman, Regional Chair. “As we grow to a community of 1 million residents, it is essential that everyone has access to arts and culture that enriches our lives, fosters meaningful connection, and nurtures a future where everyone can thrive.”
The lists of organizations, individual artists, and arts collectives that received funding are included below:
Organizations
Arts Integration (Green Light Arts)
Belmont Village Bestival (City of Waterloo)
Bonn Park Media (Kitchener Public Library)
Cambridge Public Library
Cambridge Sculpture Garden
Cambridge Symphony Orchestra
Community Music School of Waterloo Region
Cosmic Fishing Theatre (The Registry Theatre)
Crow Shield Lodge
Galt Jazz (Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services)
Green Light Arts
Grand Philharmonic Choir
Grand River Black Music Festival and Conference (Kitchener Public Library)
Grand River Jazz Society
HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre
Inter Arts Matrix
IRL Festival (The Registry Theatre)
Kitchener Waterloo Chamber Orchestra
Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre
K-W Community Orchestra
KW Flamenco Fest (The Registry Theatre)
Mada Theatre (MT Space)
Midtown Radio (The Registry Theatre)
Neruda Arts (Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre)
NUMUS
Pat the Dog Theatre Creation
Pinch (The Registry Theatre)
Quill Fine Arts (The Canadian Arabic Orchestra)
Rhema Collective (Green Light Arts)
Rhythm & Blues Cambridge (Kinbridge Community Association)
The Registry Theatre
The Village of St. Jacobs Business Improvement Area (Township of Woolwich)
Unwrap Theatre
Waterloo Region Family Network
Willow River Centre (Social Development Centre Waterloo Region)
Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
YW Kitchener-Waterloo
Note: Charitable organizations in brackets represent the fiscal partner working in partnership with the non-qualified donee.
Individual Artists and Arts Collectives
AfroVibes
Carbon Collective
Coraline James
Danielle Deveau
Darius X.
Denise Bodán & Tigist Eshete
Don't Jump to Recipe
Eleni Zaptses
Fitsum Areguy
Freedom Marching Project
Grand River Artist Collective
Hannah Gardiner
Indigenous & Newcomers Caring Circles
Isabella Stefanescu
Jacob Irish
Jasmin Amoako
Kristyna Balaban & Catherine Mellinger
Lauren Judge
Lauren Prousky
Lila's Journey
Mark Walton
Michele Wilmot
Nicole Beno
Obyednani - United
Paul Francescutti
Puppets & Shadows Theatre
Sam Mercury
Sam Nabi & Roshan James
Samantha Tai
Shantell Powell
Sharl G. Smith
Sid Drmay
Stephanie Florence
Stephen W. Young
Studio D20 Women's Media Arts Collective
Treading Theatre Project
For more information about WRCF’s Arts Grants Fund, contact info@wrcf.ca. For information about arts funding through the Region of Waterloo, contact culturalservices@regionofwaterloo.ca.
Additional quotes:
“We are pleased to continue our on-going contribution to the Microgrant Program. This award-winning collaboration has provided a unique opportunity to support artists in our community and ignite the creation of new work. Perhaps the most successful part of the partnership is the achievement of the artists who have been part of the program, many of whom have gone on to present work both in our community and beyond.” -- Mayor Dorothy McCabe, City of Waterloo
“The Region of Waterloo arts funding will be instrumental in helping us amplify African cultural experiences through the AfroVibes Festival, allowing us to engage a broader audience, support local talent, and foster a deeper sense of community.” -- Peter Pearse-Elosia, AfroVibes Festival
"We are incredibly thankful to Waterloo Region Community Foundation for their generous support of the Historical Horse and Buggy Mural restoration through the Arts Grants Fund. This grant funds the additional costs of including and accommodating the original artist, Kae Drawehn, allowing her to contribute to the project from her home. Together with our resident artist, Keisha Thomas, this multigenerational collaboration honours the mural’s history and ensures its legacy continues to enrich our community for years to come." -- Amanda Palmer, The Village of St. Jacobs BIA
“The grant will support my upcoming installation which includes taking over the Square Peg space in DTK in early 2025, and turning it into a playful exhibition for kids and adults. The installation includes research and testing out new media and experimenting with different ways of working that are new to my practice.” -- Nicole Beno
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About Waterloo Region Community Foundation
Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) collaborates with partners to ensure our communities are equitable, connected, and sustainable; and people are thriving. We strengthen local organizations, spaces, and experiences to increase connection with communities across the three cities and four townships of Waterloo Region. We make philanthropy easy for individuals and companies to support organizations and issues they care about. WRCF is focused on Granting, Investing, and Mobilizing to make measurable and sustainable impacts. Gifts are directed to WRCF's endowed funds, with the income generated being distributed in partnership with Fundholders through grants and investments that support a wide range of charitable causes that drive positive change within our community. We are growing our assets in a socially-responsible way without compromising financial returns, and transitioning to a 100% mission-aligned portfolio. These investments include directing at least 10% of our portfolio to impact investments. As a leading community-building organization, we also work to amplify voices and issues of importance by mobilizing conversations and sharing information, which leads people to action, while approaching our work with an equity mindset. In 2024, WRCF is focused on improving social infrastructure in Waterloo Region. www.wrcf.ca
About The Region of Waterloo
The Regional Municipality of Waterloo, situated in Southern Ontario, is a diverse and thriving community that encompasses the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge, along with the townships of Woolwich, Wilmot, Wellesley, and North Dumfries. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity, the Region is dedicated to building a resilient and vibrant community for all. For more information, visit regionofwaterloo.ca.
For additional information about this release or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Lynne Short
Vice President, Waterloo Region Community Foundation
519-725-1806 x 204
lynne@wrcf.ca
Lynsey Slupeiks
Manager, Corporate Communications, The Region of Waterloo
lslupeiks@regionofwaterloo.ca
