About
Welcome!
spOtlight: is a weekend festival of free arts activities for the public, including behind the scenes tours, workshops, art talks or demonstrations. All of these activities encourage an appreciation and understanding of the arts and celebrate the artists who live in our communities.
Greetings from the Honourable Aileen Carroll
Minister of Culture
Arts and culture are fundamental to the healthy, vibrant communities we enjoy
in Ontario. Creative communities in our province are also vital to the economy. The Government of Ontario acknowledges the important contributions of our artists by celebrating them during the first weekend of each June.
This year is the second spOtlight festival during the "Celebrate our Artists Weekend", featuring fabulous free arts activities in Stratford, Waterloo, Kitchener, Guelph, and Cambridge. The Ministry of Culture is delighted to
work in partnership with the Ontario Arts Council to support this festival and artists throughout the province.
I would like to congratulate all those involved in organizing this celebration, especially the mayors and participating communities. I would also like to thank the Ontario Arts Council for their continued dedication to arts and culture in
Ontario.
On behalf of Ontario's Ministry of Culture, please accept my best wishes for a wonderful weekend discovering, exploring and celebrating art in our province.
Yours truly,
M. Aileen Carroll
Minister of Culture
Greetings from Marha Durdin
Chair, Ontario Arts Council
The Ontario Arts Council is delighted to partner once again with the provincial Ministry of Culture to present the spOtlight pilot in the communities of Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, Stratford and Waterloo.
From Friday June 5 to Sunday June 7, 2009 spOtlight presents more than 135 free activities by local artists, arts organizations and community-based arts groups. spOtlight provides an opportunity to witness the artistic process in action. A wide selection of hands-on workshops, talks, tours and interactive performances in a range of artistic disciplines including craft, dance, literature, media arts, music, performing arts, theatre and visual arts are on offer. Children, adults and seniors will find something new to connect with local artists.
Traveling around this year’s spOtlight is easier thanks to the free Art Bus sponsored by Grand River Transit that loops between some of the busiest spOtlight hubs in Kitchener and Waterloo. Park your car and ride along with the spOtlight artists who will be your hosts on the Art Bus. Who knew that taking the bus could be this much fun!
We were very pleased with the tremendous response last year’s spOtlight generated. This festival is one initiative through which the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario are highlighting the importance of the arts in our communities. Please join us in celebrating our artists and discovering the arts in your community.
Martha Durdin
Chair, Ontario Arts Council