The Waterdown Village Business Improvement Area brightens main streets in support of equity deserving groups in 2024
Chairing is Caring received My Main Street support to draw visitors and increase vibrancy in Waterdown Village
The Waterdown Business Improvement Area (BIA) announced today (Oct. 23) that the Chairing is Caring (CIC) public art project was selected for the My Main Street Community Activator initiative and has received $25,000 in support to help tell stories of the diverse communities that make up Waterdown Village through artist-painted chairs and benches.
Chairing is Caring saw 18 painted Muskoka chairs displayed on Waterdown’s main streets all summer long. Artwork on chairs focused on equity-derserving themes as interpreted by 18 different artists, reflecting the unique experiences of youth, seniors, women, newcomers, Indigenous people and more. The chairs were auctioned in September in support of local non-profit organizations. The Legacy Phase of Chairing is Caring will see artwork appear on four more benches this fall, sustaining a permanent and colourful impact for years to come.
The Waterdown Village BIA expressed its gratitude to the artists who painted, businesses that hosted and visitors who bid on a chair this summer. Downtown visitors are encouraged to walk through Waterdown this fall to keep an eye out for legacy benches coming soon. Updates will be posted at waterdownvillage.ca.
“The Waterdown Village BIA is committed to enhancing the downtown core through placemaking initiatives," sadi Waterdown BIA Chair Amanda Groves in a press release. "We aspire to introduce more public art to our streetscape to reflect the diversity, compassion and resiliency of our business community. My Main Street support allowed us to go bigger, bolder and expand our reach through Chairing is Caring. We are thrilled to be painting the town and telling unique stories through art.”
My Main Street is built on the principle of supporting community economic development and creating vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods which will enhance the overall quality of life for residents while also promoting sustainable and inclusive community development. My Main Street is delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), and supported by a Government of Canada investment through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
“The Canadian Urban Institute, with support from the Government of Canada, is investing in community projects, such as the Waterdown BIA’s Chairing is Caring project, said FedDev Ontario Minister Filomena Tassi, Minister. "These projects attract visitors to our main streets, support local businesses, and revitalize our communities – helping shops, restaurants and local economies thrive."
Learn more about the My Main Street program at mymainstreet.ca.
