To support cultural sector growth in Guelph, the City invests in capacity building opportunities and special programs. These projects are short-term in nature and help to increase the visibility and viability of Guelph’s arts & culture community.

Culture Days

Guelph was proud to participate in Canada’s national celebration of culture, September 28-30, 2012. This year’s event takes place on September 28-30, 2012. Guelph residents and visitors enjoyed a wide variety of events, including over 30 hands-on activities, performances and exhibitions by different community cultural groups and local artists

St. George’s Square Yarn-Bombing

As part of Culture Days 2012, the City invited the public to participate in a “yarn bombing” event in an effort to transform St. George’s Square in downtown Guelph into an extraordinary work of public art. Dozens of knitters from Guelph and beyond contributed hundreds of colourful knitted squares that were then stitched together and attached to trees and fences around the square.

Pop-Up Gallery Project

As part of the St. George’s Square transition, the former bus shelters were transformed into pop-up galleries in partnership with University of Guelph. Sixteen colourful panels brightened and enlivened the empty shelters over the summer months.

artsVest Program

The City of Guelph was one of only five communities selected to participate in the 2011/12 artsVest Ontario – an initiative that sparked nearly $100,000 in new business sponsorships for cultural organizations in Guelph.

Artscape Initiative

The City invited Artscape to bring its Creative Spacemaking workshop and Mentoring and Coaching program to Guelph’s arts and culture sector. Over 80 individuals and organizations took advantage of these opportunities to learn more about developing sustainable and affordable creative spaces.