Arts and Culture Grants
Region of Waterloo Arts Funding
The 2026 Region of Waterloo Arts Funding grant is awarding $265,000 to support artistic projects within our community. This funding aims to benefit individual artists, collectives, and arts organizations that contribute to the vibrant culture of Waterloo Region. Following a request for proposals process in the fall of 2025, MT Space was selected as the administrative partner for arts funding from 2025 to 2027.
The Region of Waterloo Arts Funding grant will open again in 2027.
Learn about the application process by viewing the Arts Funding Info Session Video.
Questions? Please review our FAQs and Region of Waterloo Arts Funding info sessions Q&A. For additional details, please review the Region of Waterloo Arts Funding guidelines.
Supportive Documents:
Artists and Collectives Final Report Form
Region of Waterloo logo - black text
Region of Waterloo logo - white text
Investment in Key Cultural Institutions
The Region of Waterloo and area municipalities of Kitchener and Waterloo provide financial support to Key Cultural Institutions that are recognized as unique and intrinsic to the cultural infrastructure of the greater region. The artistic and cultural programming they present and the facilities that they manage contribute to the artistic, social and economic vitality of the region. This program provides stipulated operating assistance, in the form of a stable funding base to enhance the ability of key cultural institutions to produce, perform or present artistic works and cultural programming and to manage their facilities for the benefit of the people of the region.
Waterloo Region Heritage Foundation
The Waterloo Region Heritage Foundation offers funding for investment in heritage-related initiatives through an annual per capita allocation from the Region of Waterloo. Grants are available for projects/events, buildings and publications.
Now Open - Major Arts and Culture Organizations Grant Program
The grant program aims to support the vibrancy and resiliency of Arts and Culture Organizations with artistic and cultural programming presented in public facilities, contributing to the artistic, social and economic vitality of the region. This support ensures the stability, accessibility, and accountability of their programs for the benefit of our growing and evolving community.
This grant program provides one-time operating funding to eligible organizations to enhance their ability to produce and/or present artistic works and cultural programming.
This program supports the Region of Waterloo in its strategic objective to support the arts, culture, and heritage sectors to enrich the lives of residents and attract visitors to Waterloo Region.
This grant program has been modelled off the Key Cultural Institutions guidelines, with alterations to the guideline's eligibility criteria and expedited assessment process. Unlike the process for Key Cultural Institutions, this is not a collaborative funding program.
Eligible cultural organizations in Waterloo Region are encouraged to apply by downloading and completing the Major Arts and Culture Organizations Grant Program application form. Please note this application is open until June 12, 2026.
Cultural Drivers of Tourism Incentive Program
This incentive program aims to develop Waterloo Region's cultural assets that create local distinctiveness to increase comparative advantages in an increasingly competitive tourism marketplace.
The grant provides one-time funding to arts, cultural and heritage organizations in recognition of their role in attracting and extending tourist stays to Waterloo Region. Funding to eligible organizations is based on the number of tourists attending eligible public programs and events in Waterloo Region. The budget for this program is set annually by Council.
How to apply
Eligible cultural organizations in Waterloo Region are encouraged to apply by downloading and completing the Cultural Drivers Worksheet and the Cultural Drivers of Tourism Incentive Program application form. Please note this application is closed until June 2026.
