The Region of Waterloo invited qualified Artists/Artist-led teams to submit an Expression of Interest for a landmark art installation at the future Kitchener Central Transit Hub (KCTH) in Kitchener, Ontario. The KCTH will be a vibrant multi-modal transit hub in downtown Kitchener, connecting travellers with local and provincial transit options. This facility aims to promote sustainable transportation and support the growing community.

Please review the Kitchener Central Transit Hub Public Art Guidelines.  Please refer to this PDF for detailed renderings of the art installation locations. Questions? Please review our FAQs.

The Call for Artists deadline was May 15, 2026, and the application portal is now closed. The process for selecting a permanent artwork for the Kitchener Central Transit Hub is currently in progress. 

The Call for Artists deadline was March 31st, 2025 and the application portal is now closed. The process for selecting a permanent artwork for Langs Drive is currently in progress. 

The artwork will celebrate the Langs Drive community by exploring its rich history, identity, and culture, and reflect the themes of "home" and belonging. This highly visible location will receive significant pedestrian traffic and community interaction. The available space is 16m long x 2m wide. For full application requirements, please visit the Langs Drive Call for Submissions guidelines.

Waterloo Region Housing is redeveloping 581–595 Langs Dr., Cambridge, to replace 38 townhouse units with a five- and seven-storey residential building focused on energy efficiency and carbon reduction. This project will add nearly 100 affordable housing units and is expected to be completed by early 2027.

If you have questions about this project, please contact culturalservices@regionofwaterloo.ca.

Three Indigenous artists have been selected to have their work displayed in the Domestic Arrivals Building at YKF. The selected artists include Jeannette Ladd, an Anishinaabe artist from Saugeen First Nation, Judy Ross Mack, an Urban Indigenous artist of Swampy Cree heritage from Weenusk First Nation and Cheyenne Ricard, a Haudenosaunee artist of Mohawk and Tuscarora descent. The murals, under the theme "Honouring These Lands and Waterways," reflect the rich cultural heritage, resilience, and diverse voices of Indigenous peoples. 

The purpose of an exhibit by Indigenous artists at YKF is to offer an opportunity to learn about and honour the culture, history, and traditions of the lands on which the airport is situated. YKF is a point of entry for many visitors to, and residents of, the Region – art is one way to share the stories of the First Nations of this area and surrounding lands and waterways. This initiative is one part of an ongoing process of relationship-building and mutual understanding. Learn more.

The Public Art Advisory Committee appoints a jury to review proposals from the art community for a particular Regional site. Jury members assess proposals based on selection criteria determined by the Public Art Advisory Committee.

A recommendation goes to Council for the approval of the public art selection and a payment from the Region's Public Art Reserve. 

Unanticipated maintenance of public art is financed by the facility where it is displayed. Routine costs for restoration or refurbishment are covered by the Public Art Reserve. 

The Region's Public Art Advisory Committee was established to administer the Region's Public Art Program.

The Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) is a group of volunteers comprising:

• One or two Regional Councillors
• Up to 10 community members representing the arts, arts education and the general public

Staff from Cultural Services, Legislative Services, Finance, and Facilities help to support the PAAC. Information on committee membership, agendas and minutes are available on the Committees page.

Dotted along the ION corridor, the collection of ION public art enhances the transit experience, while improving the cultural components of our community. 

Input through a series of public consultations was key in the selection process of the 10 art installations, with an aim to express and reflect Waterloo Region's unique identity.

We invite the community to explore the collection of public art along the corridor using the ION public art passport. ION public art can be found at the following transit stations:

GRT Cambridge Centre terminal: "Pin Art" by Ken Hall 

Fairway Station: "Arras" by Elana Zur and Lauren Judge

Fairway Station: "Shaping Residency" by Stephen Cruise

Block Line station: "Three Sisters" by Lindsey Lickers

Mill Street Station: "Tall Tales of Mill Street" by Tara Cooper and Terry O'Neill

Kitchener Market Station: "Because Cats Can't Fly" by Edwin and Veronica Dam De Nogales

Grand River Hospital Station: "Spinal Column" by Sandra Dunn 

Research and Technology Station: "The Passenger" by Brandon Vickerd 

Pedestrian Barrier Enhancement, near the WPL McCormick Branch: "Fabric of Place" by Lilly Otasevic    

Conestoga Station: "Continuum" by Catherine Paleczny 

In 2023, the Region's Public Art Program unveiled a two-year art loan project. After a public call for submissions and a jurying process, the following works created by local artists were installed at the Region of Waterloo International Airport:

• Memory and the Temporal Exchange, 2017, acrylic on canvas, by James Nye and Amber Pacheco installed in the Domestic Arrivals Building
• Crossing with the Light, 2019; Pedestrian Crossing #1, 2015; Otherwise Occupied, 2019, oil on canvas, by Sherry Czekus installed in the Departure Lounge
• The Wall of Nightmares and Dreams, 2010, by Ernest Daetwyler installed in the Departure Lounge

The Region looks forward to continuing this program with new artwork by local professional artists rotating every two years. Learn more about the airport installations by visiting the Art at YKF webpage.  

The Region of Waterloo owns and cares for 25 permanent artworks which are located across the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Woolwich Township. Each location can be found using this interactive map.

View the story map.