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 Donated art incubation spaces coming to Uptown Waterloo in support of local artistic talent, reinforcing the creative spirit of the region
Art$Pay expands its vision for supporting career development for young local artists
with help from HIP Developments. 

WATERLOO | April 24, 2019 – Art$Pay, a local organization dedicated to connecting visual art practitioners with opportunities, community, and advocates for fair pay is expanding its role with the creation of Art Incubate, a tangible artist support program, that will include studios and galleries at 52 and 56 Regina Street North in Uptown Waterloo. The two properties have been donated by HIP Developments for a two year period.

 The Art Incubate pilot project is designed to offer local visual artists exceptional studio space with a focus on generating community engagement. The ground floor at 56 Regina Street North will operate as a visual arts incubator for five emerging artists in a shared studio over a 12-month time period, with 8-10 practicing artists renting private and shared studios at cost throughout both buildings. The studios will house artists from a mix of career levels to share networks, resources, new ideas, energy and mediums. Interest in collaboration and community are requirements for any studio tenancy.

 “We are so grateful for HIP Developments’ generous donation, of benefit to all emerging and established artists in our region,” said Cathy Farwell, Artist and Volunteer Manager at Art$Pay. “These two properties will provide artists with the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and work together within the broader community which will lead to exciting future developments — a missing link in retaining talent in this sector.”

 Additional sponsors of Art Incubate include the Region of Waterloo, City of Waterloo, City of Kitchener, Perimeter Development Corporation, and Miller Thomson LLP who will each support a young artist throughout their term, with Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc. helping prepare the studios for occupancy. The program covers rent, a small stipend for art supplies, and payment towards an outreach activity.

 “Our participation in Art Incubate is part of our broader belief in city building,” says Scott Higgins, president of HIP Developments Inc. “Sustainable success in the real estate business is a result of contributing to both the social and economic growth of the community in which you operate. This program by Art$Pay, is a great example of the out-of-the-box thinking that can turn us into the Creative Capital of Canada. We are a step closer to ensuring young creative minds won’t have to leave the community to change the world.”

 As of May 1st, 2019, the incubator artists and approximately ten others will move into studios in the Regina Street North buildings.

 Quick Facts:

  • HIP Developments has donated two houses in Uptown Waterloo at 52 and 56 Regina Street North to spearhead Art Incubate, a new creative initiative with Art$Pay

  • Art$pay will manage the buildings to serve as non-profit visual arts studios and exhibition spaces for two years

  • 56 Regina Street North main floor will serve as a visual arts incubator and studio space for young, emerging artists in the Waterloo Region

  • Five selected artists will share the open concept studio for a 12-month term under a special sponsorship program made possible by local and regional government with corporate sponsors

  • The upper floors of 52 and 56 Regina Street North will serve as studio space for an additional eight to ten established and emerging artists

  • Art$Pay will manage two exhibition/meeting spaces in the buildings under a ‘pay-what-you-can’ model for the first six months to encourage gallery use

About HIP Developments
Passionately building more than just real estate, HIP Developments is committed to building a community that is vibrant, creative, and confident. As an innovative leader in real estate development, HIP joins other businesses and community leaders in believing that Waterloo Region can be the Creative Capital of Canada.  
Hipdevelopments.com

 About Art$pay
Art$Pay is a regional artist-run, non-profit organization with over 130 members sponsored by Createscape Waterloo Region. The organization is dedicated to connecting visual art practitioners with opportunities, community, and advocates for fair pay.
www.artspay.org                  

 Media Contact
Rachel Doornekamp
Durrell Communications
613-561-5715
rachel@durrellcomm.com