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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2023-143 - Creative Hub at 44 Gaukel Pilot Report Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: June 5, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Emily Robson, Manager, Arts and Creative Industries, 519-741-2200 ext. 7084 PREPARED BY: Eric Rumble, Coordinator, Arts and Creative Industries, 519-741- 2200 ext. 7424 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: May 17, 2023 REPORT NO.: DSD-2023-143 SUBJECT: Creative Hub at 44 Gaukel Pilot Report RECOMMENDATION: That staff prepare an issue paper for the 2024 budget process requesting an annual allocation for the ongoing operations of the Creative Hub; and, That staff assess various options the long-term location of the Creative Hub, as outlined in report DSD-23-143, and return to City Council with recommendations for consideration as part of the 2025 budget process. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: The purpose of this report is to explain the impact and transformation of 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace/Creative Hub, and to articulate the ongoing demand for The key finding of this report is that staff have established a model for supporting and cultivating a co-working space that attracts artists, builds community, and supports new cultural experiences. The financial implication is approximately $234,000 per year in operating funds, to be referred to the 2024 budget process. Community engagement includes past consultations and current strategy documents, as well as new arts sector consultations in 2023 and surveys of active building users. This report supports A Vibrant Economy by advancing work on a Creative Hub. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: During its 2019-2023 pilot period, 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace has become the dynamic and active focal point for the local arts community that was imagined. More than fifty artists and organizations currently their entrepreneurial goals and share rich, diverse, arts-based experiences with the public. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Staff have provided flexible options to artists and cultural workers to establish, develop and sustain their businessesand projects, createdan innovative operating model for below- market-rate studios and in-kind skills trade arrangements, and brought new vibrancy and interest to downtown that will only grow beside a revamped Gaukel Block. The efforts to realize this pilot project and consider its futures aligns with goals in both the Make It Kitchener 2.0 strategy and the 2019-2022 corporate strategic plan. Early findings from consultation for the forthcoming Arts & Culture Plan indicate that affordable workspace is still a persistent and broad concern. BACKGROUND: In May 2018, Council allocated $775,000 to establish a creative hub at 44 Gaukel. The workspaces and fresh public input to choose a suitable location to attempt a solution. Staff were driven by the ide between assets buildings, people, resources -18-019). In doing so, an underused City-owned building, was transformed into a conduit of the local arts scene. The result is the 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace. Project Timeline -ups. Arts tenancies were added, with ArtsBuild Ontario as an on-site partner. 2018: Half of the sale proceeds ($775,000) from the Legion building on Ontario St. were allotted to establish a creative hub project on the first floor from 2019-2023. 2019: A small renovation of the first floor created twelve additional tenant spaces. 2020: COVID-19 pandemic was declared. A full-building model was developed to 2021: Operations continued to adapt and limited programming resumed under Public Health restrictions. 2022: The facility reached 100% occupancy and a waiting list was started. Rent revenue, mostly investments by local artist tenants, exceeded $100,000. COVID-19 Impact After minor renovations were completed, 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace was launched with an open house in February 2020. A significant community turnout led to early momentum and potential tenancies. Due to the pandemic, the facility closed to the public, rentals stopped and tenant demand disappeared. Creative entrepreneurs of in-person experiences or interactions were especially impacted as their incomes evaporated. Staff retained anchor tenancies by offering rent relief to offset some pandemic losses and assisted all tenants in adapting to public health measures. Following a gradual recovery, anticipated tenant occupancy, usage and activity resumed. Rent revenues have grown steadily from $60,000 collected in 2020, to nearly $70,000 in 2021, to more than $100,000 in 2022. Achieving 100% occupancy (and a waiting list) following an uncertain adjustment period demonstrates the demand and need for this type of space. Operating Partners -site operator and collaborator in December 2020. Their primary role is to attract new occupants, support tenants with onsite needs, ArtsBuild is a not-for-profit service organization to thousands of arts and heritage groups and is dedicated to supporting cultural infrastructure projects. Coordinating tenants and activities at 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace enables ArtsBuild to practice the skills and training it offers, drawing interest from Canada Cultural Spaces Fund and Canada Council for the Arts. ArtsBuild also manages two resources for short-term rentals, including a rehearsal space. The Facility 44 Gaukel was initially home to Canada Post. After they vacated the building, the second floor was converted to a private college. The City of Kitchener acquired 44 Gaukel in 2006, as part of the Joseph and Gaukel Street Reconstruction Project. For the Creative Hub, the building was adapted to support the current multi-tenanted layout with modest interior renovations to the main floor. The building has reached a stage in its lifecycle where future improvements will be required. Tenants hold licence agreements with the City for 24-7 use of semi-private spaces. The thirty-four tenant spaces vary from 91 to 735 square feet, with monthly rents ranging from $200 to $1100. Staff implemented a flexible rate schedule based on class-B commercial market rates downtown, with lower rents to account for non-profits, interior units with no windows, etc. Licence agreements with four-month minimum terms were designed to be easy for tenants to test facility suitability for their needs. REPORT: This section highlights pertinent findings from the 2019-2023 creative hub pilot period. Building Creative Capacity In early 2023, Good Company Productions delivered a series of nine live music shows at director Amit Mehta was able to produce these high-quality packed-house events because of the significant time and resources he has invested in developing local music. In addition to producing curated experiences, performance broadcasts and other artist- boosting ideas, Good Co has grown its 44 Gaukel footprint since 2020 to build capacity and interaction for local musicians, bands and visual artists. During the pandemic, Mr. Mehta created successful concert-in-a- intimate concerts to animate Gaukel Block, Vogelsang Green and other spaces. He also supported JJ Wilde on her way to winning a Juno for Ruthless in 2021 and he continues to cultivate new performers with jam space, mentorship and gigs. Arts entrepreneurs like Mr. Mehta are the kind of creative practitioners the City needs to retain to support an active and compelling cultural scene. 44 Gaukel has provided Good Co. Space to Grow and Connect 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace serves both emerging and established arts workers, with current tenants ranging in age from 20 to 70. Tenants work in a variety of disciplines, including music production and instruction, visual arts and language education, theatrical and dance presentation, arts-based therapy, and a range of individual practices including painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, filmmaking, and photography. Tenant successes have come in many shapes and sizes. In 2023, nomination for best rap single was produced inside their 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace recording studio with musician Dom Vallie. Alanah Jewell and Luke Swinson co-created a mural at 44 Gaukel in 2020, became tenants for a few successful print sales, then quickly outgrew the space. They have since been hired by huge global brands such as Roots and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The pilot period has involved many tenants, but their interests in locating at 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace have been similar - easy access to other creators. In a survey conducted in spring 2023, tenants articulated their appreciation for the creative community at 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace: important as I was just startin Having moved to Waterloo Region from Toronto, it was the closest I could find to the space has been wonderful to watch it also creates benefits for non-artists. The community and rehearsal spaces inside 44 Gaukel host dozens of organizations and hundreds of participants for art workshops, jam sessions, dance practices, rehearsals, and other meetups. Art$Pay runs a Gaukel-facing window gallery of rotating artworks and organizes group exhibitions that welcome the public inside. Emmy- and Juno-award-winning -long exterior mural has become a fabulous backdrop to an ongoing flow of events, markets, and other activities on the pedestrianized Gaukel Block. Unlocking In-Kind Value As part of the Creative Hub pilot, staff developed an in-kind exchange program. Selected tenants can provide skills trades for reduced rents, enabling tenant contributions of photography, design, video and music productions, art exhibits, facility features, broadcasts, and community events. These contributions help make the Creative Hub visible, empower tenants to act as project ambassadors, and provide experiences for residents and visitors. The value of each skills trade is negotiated with tenants whose rental terms and creative disciplines aligned with short-term project goals. Staff have pursued in-kind skills trades with 11 individual tenants since late 2019, with rents discounted against their diverse services. These services have delivered approximately $100,000 in value to the City and broader community. The results include live and recorded music performances produced by Good Co. Productions, Midtown Radio segments featuring tenants, public art restoration work, murals and installations in the facility and co-creation of a signature program The Beasting. Skills trades opportunities could be established to meet future project goals in the areas of communications, equitable access, professional development, and programming. Affordability Equals Impact Longstanding tenant Artshine, which supports youth development through arts instruction, 2019. Their arrangement ensures that youth workshops are available at various community centres each year. In 2023, free monthly art workshops have been offered at Kingsdale, Chandler Mowat, Victoria Hills, and Centreville- instructor wages, materials, and administrative expenses in delivering these programs are exchanged for a reduced annual rental rate. in Kitchener has also led to incredible results beyond the region. Since 2015, Artshine has delivered more than $1-million worth of free or subsidized workshops in schools, community events. Artsh-sustaining power of arts participation happens in both French and English, in nearly 20 cities across Ontario, and online internationally. many small businesses in the arts sector are made more resilient with access to affordable workspaces. Tenant surveys indicate that lower rent allows artist entrepreneurs and small organizations to invest more time in doing their work (which is often unpaid), attracting, and retaining volunteers, offering services to low-income These insights fit with analysis of labour trends by the Cultural Human Resources Council. The rate of self-employed creative and artistic producers is more than three times greater than the average Canadian, including more than 50 percent of workers in sound recording, more than 41 percent working in live performance and more than 31 percent of visual artists. Wages are more than 10 percent lower than other workers. Many in the sector describe a a culture of unpaid training, practice, and preparation time. Insufficient or unstable earnings, low job security and lack of benefits, and the need to work over full-time hours, hold multiple jobs and juggle multiple projects are core challenges faced by arts workers and organizations. Affordability and creative community are essential to support creative production. Demand for Creative Space The primary goal of the pilot was to animate an underused City facility and explore it as an affordable workspace for arts professionals. In the fall of 2022, 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace reached 100 per cent occupancy, and currently has a waitlist of about 20 outpace availability, the current building is too small to match demand, and the project is offering a meaningful response to a persistent issue raised by arts workers for years. Early findings from community consultations for the development of an Arts & Culture Plan (to be provided in an upcoming staff report) highlight that arts sector workers continue to identify cultural production space as a priority resource. Artists across all groups and disciplines repeatedly invoked the idea of a physical hub where they could gather, work, and Creativity and Learning was referenced as a desirable example from a city of comparable size. Beyond the utility of a one-stop-shop for sectoral supports, consultation respondents identified an opportunity to represent the transformative power of arts and culture in the form of a bigger, bolder facility project, comparable to a tech accelerator/incubator space. Similarly, as part of the Harvard-Bloomberg City Leadership Initiative forum, nearly forty and cultural sectors. Many participants cited the need for additional affordable workspace. As immersive and interactiv fastest-growing sectors. The Conference Board of Canada predicts the industry will grow 16 percent to $123.1 billion from 2017 to 2026, with employment increasing by eight percent. They also predict a looming shortfall of more than 20,000 cultural occupations, particularly graphic designers, illustrators, web designers and developers. Scaled to the region, which could mean five hundred new local jobs to fill by 2026. Affordable and accessible cultural production space and active creative networks are essential to realizing this potential. Expanding the Creative Hub Concept Professional development opportunities in the future phases of the creative hub could include mentorship matchmaking, technical skills workshops, and cooperative initiatives. An arts business accelerator program could be developed, turning a portion of the hub into a launchpad for more local arts service operations. Subsidized tenancies could be created to bring additional focus to equity initiatives. Temporary project residencies could be designed to animate shared areas of the facility, Gaukel Block, or other spots in the city. Increased space could also aim to fill the local gaps in rehearsal and performance space. 44 Gaukel was originally selected as it was a vacant City-owned facility which could be easily adapted to serve this intended purpose. While it has served this purpose well, initial findings from a building condition and accessibility audit recently conducted by Facilities Management indicate that substantial and urgent improvements are required to support continued use. Likewise, due to the age of the HVAC system, utility costs represent a sizable portion of the operating costs. Considering the need for investments in the building, Economic Development and Facilities Management staff will work together to bring recommendations regarding the future of the building to Council for discussion. Staff will assess potential costs of remaining in 44 Gaukel against other locations. These include, for example: Appropriate locations to establish a long-term lease with a private landowner; A flexible tenancy model for workspaces at a variety of other City-owned facilities; and, Opportunities for establishing a new, purpose-built facility as part of a future redevelopment project. Conclusion Gaukel Creative Workspace has successfully transformed into the vibrant and central hub envisioned at the outset of the project. Withmore than50artists and organizations currently using spaces and resources, the Creative Hub has become a thriving environment for pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors and showcasing a wide range of arts- based experiences to the public. As a result, staff recommend consideration of ongoing investments needed at 44 Gaukel, staff recommend undertaking a comparative analysis to determine the optimal long-term location of the creative hub. In the meantime, operation of the 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace should continue as the Creative Workspace can continue supporting and benefiting from the arts sector workers who are using it to stimulate citizen interest in local cultural products and experiences. negatively impacted if the project suddenly concluded. Moving forward, should Council decide to make a deeper investment in flexible, subsidized workspace for arts sector development, a balance will need to be found between expenses for operations, maintaining a state of good repair, and the workforce-boosting, culture- enriching possibilities of purpose-built, scalable arts resources. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports A Vibrant Economy by advancing work on a Creative Hub. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Capital Budget The recommendation has no impact. Facility related capital costs will be assessed through the next phase of analysis as highlighted in the report. Operating Budget The recommendation could impact the 2024 operating budget. Tenancies in approximately 11,150 square feet of rentable space recover approximately 33% of operating expenses. Staff estimate the annual shortfall between revenues and ongoing facility operations to be between $225,000 and $250,000. This is comparable to other projects within the sector: $295,980 in combined cash and in-kind grants from CoK to THEMUSEUM in 2023 $261,849 was granted to thirty-three local artists by the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund in 2023 Based on the experience at 44 Gaukel, a creative hub operating budget, without any capital investment, staff forecast that an appropriate level of operating funding would be as follows: REVENUES Notes Estimatedbased on 80% or more Projected annual rent, 44G tenancies $ 100,000 occupancy Estimated from 2022 in-kind Rent deferred to in-kind contributions $ 25,000 arrangements To be considered as part of the Estimated municipal operating funding $ 234,000 2024 budget process TOTAL $ 359,000 EXPENSES Common area maintenance/utilities $ 125,000 Based on 2019 to 2022 actuals Property taxes $ 50,000 Based on 2019 to 2022 actuals Estimated 5% increase, or other CAMs/tax contingency $ 9,000 discrepancy On-site operations support $ 55,000* On site staffing Internet services $ 20,000* Based on current operations 2022 actuals plus expanded Custodial labour & supplies $ 40,000* service to meet increased use Contributions from tenants for In-kind program/promotional value $ 25,000 reduced rent Programming including exhibitions, events, workshops Programming/production/improvement $ 35,000* etc. TOTAL $ 359,000 NET $ - *These expenses are based on both current and forecasted operations. They are discretionary and are scalable based on the occupancy and use of the Creative Hub. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM the council / committee meeting. CONSULT Staff have engaged with the users of 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace, impacted organizations and the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC). While this project has been discussed numerous times by ACAC, on May 16, 2023, the committee expressed their support for the recommendations offered in this report. Staff have also engaged the Economic Development Advisory Committee. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: DSD-18-019 Creative Industry Hub Next Steps (May 15, 2018) FCS-17-128, P17-024 Lease of 44 Gaukel Street & the Creative hub (June 19, 2017) CAO-16-034 Options for a Creative Industry Hub (December 5, 2016) CAO-16-025 Community Engagement for Creative hub Status Update (October 3, 2016) CAO-16-015 Community Engagement on Potential Arts Hub & Potential of 48 Ontario St. N (May 19, 2016) nd CAO-16-016 Animating 44 Gaukel 2 Floor for Start Ups and Arts & Culture (April 26, 2016) CAO-15-037It Kitchener (November 16, 2015) CAO-13-004 Kitchener Studio Project Business Case (April 22, 2013) APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services ATTACHMENTS: Appendix A Results from survey of tenants and short-terms renters of 44G Appendix B Summary of skills trade partnerships developed with 44G tenants Appendix C List of current and former 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace tenants, arts, and culture sector DSD-2023-143 APPENDIX A Summary of 44 Gaukel tenant survey results In late March/early April 2023, 17 tenants or renters of 44 Gaukel responded to a survey prepared by staff, posted on the Blitzen platform and distributed by ArtsBuild Ontario. The survey consisted of a dozen questions about their experiences as users of 44 Gaukel. Seven respondents were tenants or active renters at the facility since 2020 or earlier. The rest were shorter-term users or only began licencing space over the last couple of years. Most respondents indicated that prior to taking on space at 44 Gaukel, their arts practice or organization was based out of a room in their home or they had no space to operate. Some questions resulted in answers that are tricky to interpret. For example, given the multidisciplinary and varied scale of audiences that benefit from what is produced inside. Some respondents said they reach hundreds or thousands of people living in the region, while some are building audiences provincially, nationally or even internationally. Some tenants or renters have organized dozens of events using various areas of the facility, others have only done one or two, others host something nearly every week. The crowds at a series of craft and wellness markets orchestrated by one tenant in 2021 and 2022 brought thousands of people to shop on the Gaukel Block outside the building. At least two current tenants have tens of thousands of Instagram followers. One tenant described their reach as, Questions that led to insightful responses are summarized by the bullet lists below. Why artists want to be at 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace A range or responses with common themes describe attraction to the project: The amenities and a space to work beside other like-minded artists. eeded a space to work, heard great things about Gaukel I really loved the creative vibe of the building, and the affordability was really important as I was just starting my business. As an artist, I wanted to take the art form to families who could not driveBeing a small studio who do not have daily classes, renting a space for the entire month is not affordable to keep the costs low to help the families afford to accommodate their expenditure. Affordable studio space, with enough room to work in. Centrally located, low cost for rent, arts-focused I was very attracted to being in a building with other artists and arts sector workers. It was also highly needed to have access to more affordable spaces that are accessible to my clients. Having moved to Waterloo Region from Toronto, it was the closest I could find to the Artscape model which I was connected to in Toronto through the arts community. At the time: the existing tenants, opportunity for collaboration, and flexibility of the space. Good facility at an excellent rate Suitable space at a reasonable price for a non-profit group Working in another environment with other creatives. I've spent a lot of time working alone, this space has been wonderful to watch it grow and attract other creatives in the city. The potential to be an arts hub and rent significantly below commercial rates. Being a new production holding auditions on a regular basis, cost matters. Users were asked how their tenancy or short-term rental(s) has impacted their success: 82% said being part of the building provides a greater sense of community 76% said their art practice or business is more sustainable and stable 65% said their business or practice is easier to manage or has greater capacity 59% cited opportunities for collaboration with other facility users 53% said being part of a creative workspace downtown benefits their work 35% said the size of their audience or visibility within the community has grown 35% said their business or practice has found more customers or opportunities The benefits of affordability Tenants and renters were asked how the accessible cost of workspace at 44 Gaukel has allowed them to invest more deeply in other areas of their work: take unpaid/pro- instead of needing to cram in too many clients into my schedule. It also allows me to continue to build an equitable arts therapy practice for high-need clients I serve in low-income situations without any insurance to cover their mental health hearsal space if we were paying market rate, which would make our operations much more challenging and make it harder for s the cost to record artists and provide a creative space for them to create. Also allows Supports self-employed female artists like me who do not have a big operational s allowed me to continue to take care of myself while I run my business, which is costs, allowing us to provide higher production value to our shows. It also allows us to price our tickets competitively to give more families an affordable night out at My business would not otherwise be viable. Materials, and not having to rent a more expensive space - which would destroy my limited budget. The benefits of community Tenants and renters were asked how other occupants of the facility contribute positively to their experiences of using the space: reat community vibe, supported each others events Positive feedback, advice and compliments They have been friendly. Having other people around is so nice because I run my business independently and don't have any co-workers! I like being able to attend events with the building and also seeing everyone's art around. We come across other art forms and have learned about other cultures as well. A feeling of camaraderie and making friendly connections again after the drought of the pandemic years. There is a desire to create relationships, collaborations and community which is central to my work as well. Collaborations/overlaps in clients or services creating new opportunities for each other, supporting each other through contracts/collaborations. Students have enjoyed seeing the art work on the windows and the walls as they enter the building There is a bit of a university campus vibe developing here. Being able to chat and talk to other artists has kept my motivated... but also I enjoy sharing what I've learned with emerging artists. Networking and community spirit Users were also asked to articulate their own positive contributions to the workspace: We provide access to equipment and expertise to support other tenants as they expand to reach new audiences, host events, etc. Weve supported production for their events, managing musicians and talent bookings, event consulting, and opportunities for them to get involved in our work with our audiences I'm always available to share information with my neighbours regarding art or entrepreneurship. I've already within 2 months of moving into the space been able to make connections with other tenants and plan to collaborate on a project as mentor. They come to experience our rich culturally enriched dance form which they enjoy when they see us. onnecting artists/musicians and building a community Hopefully we bring joyful, youthful energy and are not too noisy. The creative hub in broader context Finally, respondents were given the opportunity to share any further thoughts: affordable for arts sector workers. Those of us in the arts sector provide more to the community, often for free, than many other sectors. Spaces are incredibly This is the most wonderful building and space I have ever had the opportunity to be a part of. I hope the space is available for years to come. We genuinely hope the City of Kitchener will continue to support this project to help local artists and community companies like ours afford to continue operating. Gaukel has been a lifeline for our dance space. We are very grateful for this and hope to have this continue to support small-scale artists/women entrepreneurs. It is an essential space for artists in the area to be able to create work. I would like there to be more spaces within the building for short-term rentals as I would have hosted more rehearsals there had the room been available. Its the perfect space in the perfect location that adds professionalism to a business. 4 Gaukel to support artists via affordable workspace for five years, and that the City has always intended to eventually sell the property for development. While I know the desire for commercial development is significant and potentially wildly profitable in the short term, I want to say that not just internally but the surrounding area. I think Gaukel-Charles has the potential to become a sort of Granville Island, with the old bus terminal turned into a blend of Indigenous Centre and Artisanal Market. 44 Gaukel is responsible for much of a much more profitable situation for the community in the long term. I sincerely hope City Council will consider this as they make decisions for the future of the DSD-2023-143 APPENDIX B Summary of skills trade partnerships with 44 Gaukel tenants The photo above, taken by 44 Gaukel tenant John Spaulding in summer 2021, is a small example of a single output from a skills trade arrangement. It is one of hundreds of photos taken & supplied by John during his tenancy for use on 44 Gaukel website and social media channels, and in other project promotional materials. John has staged shoots in his studio, captured events, coordinated with photo subjects & made a variety of other accommodations to produce photographs upon request. Other in-kind partnerships have produced other media, including broadcasted interviews with 44 Gaukel tenants and program participants, experiments with a video variety show format (watch GAUKER episode 1, episode 2 & episode 3) and the online presence of a more elaborate collaborative project called The Beasting. Other partnerships prioritized in-person experiences in or around the building, such as live music performances, visual art exhibits, public workshops and murals in the facility. A couple have focused their output elsewhere, such as community centre programs or public art collection care. PARTNER IN-KIND VALUE SKILLS TRADED Artshine $ 41,000.00 Arts workshops at City facilities Good Company Productions $ 17,500.00 Video & sound production services Art$Pay $ 12,000.00 Art exhibit curation & production Vincent Marcone $ 10,800.00 Program creation & design services John Spaulding $ 9,250.00 Photography production services Midtown Radio $ 6,500.00 Broadcast production & promotions Torin Langen $ 2,750.00 Installation creation & documentation Nicholas Rees $ 2,200.00 Public art collection maintenance Alanah Jewell & Luke Swinson $ 1,600.00 Mural painting contributions Andy Wright $ 1,100.00 Free photography workshops Taylor Jones $ 500.00 Photography production services $ 105,200.00 DSD-2023-143 APPENDIX C List of current & former 44 Gaukel tenants working in the arts & culture sector About 50 different individuals or organizations in the local sector have held tenancy licence agreements with the City of Kitchener or subtenancy agreements with ArtsBuild Ontario. Some predate the pilot period, at which point only a limited portion of the second floor was available to arts tenants. Accelerator Centre and their various tech sector subtenancies, some of which began in 2016, are not included in the list below. ArtsBuild Ontario March 2017 - present Faces that Hide Productions March 2017 - December 2017 Green Light Arts March 2017 - December 2017 Hive March 2017 - December 2017 KWLT (Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre) March 2017 - present Nicole Beno March 2017 - November 2017 Vincent Marcone (My Pet Skeleton) March 2017 - present Artshine & Arts4All March 2017 - present Syd Ursa (Binary Forest) June 2017 - August 2017 Brianna Kestle November 2018 - present Juan Lopezdabdoub December 2018 - present Jamie Good December 2018 - March 2019 Eduardo Soto-Falcon (Pilgrim Falcon Productions) January 2019 - April 2023 Ikenna Ofoha (Tempus Electric Bikes) October 2019 - September 2020 Inksmith Education Solutions November 2019 - May 2020 Taylor Jones December 2019 - January 2021 Pamela Cardases December 2019 - May 2020 Good Company Productions January 2020 - present Just Ideas Inc. February 2020 - present Nicholas Rees July 2020 - present Alanah Jewell & Luke Swinson July 2020 - May 2021 John Spaulding August 2020 - present Basil Alzeri October 2020 - November 2020 Midtown Radio December 2020 - April 2022 Robert Plowman May 2021 - December 2021 Billy Cochrane (Claypot Records) June 2021 - present Eddy Grignon August 2021 - present Elizabeth Forrest August 2021 - present Yulia Balobanova September 2021 - present Blue Moon Photography September 2021 - December 2021 Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region November 2021 - present Cody Rogers December 2021 - November 2022 Mina Vedut January 2022 - May 2022 Arabyon January 2022 - present Sarah Midnight (Midnight Raven Studios) February 2022 - present 586 Group Inc. March 2022 - July 2022 Art$Pay June 2022 - present Alix Simpson July 2022 - January 2023 Matthew Morales August 2022 - present Jessika Brubacher August 2022 - January 2023 Helen Fidler & James Huctwith September 2022 - present Mason Daigle September 2022 - present Torin Langen September 2022 - December 2022 Nehad Abdalkader September 2022 - present Andy Wright & Claire Donnison October 2022 - present Catherine Mellinger January 2023 - present Doris Yi Feb 2023 - present Zane Fraser April 2023 - present Tristan Molina May 2023 - present ArtsBuild Ontario has also facilitated temporary rentals of community and rehearsal spaces or other building areas, in some cases either preceding or following tenancies. More than 130 organizations or individuals who have rented spaces are below. Organizations Individual Artists MT Space Bangishimo Johnston Laya Lasya Dance Studio Jaden Bhundar Kitchener Waterloo Youth Theatre Michael Masurkevitch Green Lights Arts Gillian Laudano Faces that Hide Productions Brian Lockyer Viral 360 Alison Harris Treehaus Collaborative Workspace Evelyn Barber Active Souls Projects Colleen Derek Gulce Oral Sarina Annis Ring Productions Ronald Hope Page 1 Productions Mira Henderson Illuminate Youth Theatre Company Jessica Rediker Porch View Dances Gurleen Sidhu Waterloo Region Small Business Centre Carolyn Wu The Making Box Alexander Wright KW Poetry Slam Shanice Wilson Night\\Shift festival Andrew Blakie Gwaandak Theatre Mohamed Kahlil White Owl Mystic Yulia Balobanova Registry Theatre Catherine Mellinger Core Cody Miller City of Kitchener, Inclusion Services Paulina Wisniewska CAFKA Giulia Pittiglio Community Justice Initiatives Vanessa Spence Kitchener Centre Green Party of Ontario Nicole Hayes Theatre Mada Nada Abusaleh Theatre on the Edge Alicia Reid Doyle Academy of Irish Dance Kathleen Kamo McHugh Local Ladies Vincent Marcone Pleiads Theatre Phil Marques Sienci Labs Gouri Kundu Navara Yoga Alisa Lin The City Flow Collective Jesse Reimer-Watts Tri-City Flow Tommy Tran Detour Theatre Cosmic Ray JM Drama Chaenel Mattis Theatre Mada Brittany Kennedy Mavis Productions Morgan Anderson Huniper Productions Jimmy C AfterSchool Arcade Melodie Wakefield Speed Skating Canada Nicole Nash Jungto Society Marioa Morales Expanded Living Jessica Davey The Black Umbrella Lichwood Grove K Bresser Music Golden Astella The Everything Studio Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre Ontario Association of Social Work Echoson Stem Club University of Waterloo Black Association for Student Expression Sekond Skin Studio iSpeak Spanish Huxley Talent Fastboot YLCC Mankind Project Freedom Marching Project The Projecter12 The Innovative Studio Youth Theatre Canada National Service Dogs Pinch Cabaret Friday Empire Band Levant for Arts and Culture DiverseWorks Dance Co. Birds Canada 20 Below Games KW Smash Bros Tournament IP Acting Studio Lightning Banjo Productions Suzuki Talent Education of Waterloo Sunflower Swing Community On Stage Playful Fox Productions Kukkiville Open Ears OAEA Ophelia Gardenia