City of Waterloo receives Government of Canada support through My Main Street Community Activator placemaking program
The City of Waterloo is pleased to announce that Lumen has been selected to receive funding from the My Main Street Community Activator program. Lumen, an annual festival of light, art and technology, has been awarded $60,000 to support the presentation of the 2022 festival.
Through the Government of Canada’s My Main Street Community Activator, administered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), residents and visitors experienced the magical Lumen festival on September 24, 2022. The City of Waterloo acknowledges the support offered through the My Main Street program — a two-year, $23.25-million investment by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), delivered by CUI and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO).
The 2022 Lumen Festival featured dozens of interactive installations lighting up Waterloo and attracted over 34,000 attendees. An additional 50,000 visitors and residents were drawn to uptown Waterloo throughout the month to experience longer durational installations, including The Musical Swings by Daily tous les jours and The Anglerfish by artist Ryan Longo.
“Main streets play a vital role in growing local communities and economies for everyone. The Government of Canada will continue to invest in My Main Street and the small businesses the program serves, resulting in local economic growth and more vibrant neighbourhoods for Canadians and their families to call home.” — The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
Background
Lumen is an annual, free, all-ages festival that is open to the public and run by the City of Waterloo’s arts and culture team. The festival is supported by a wide range of sponsors, partners, collaborators, artists, organizations and volunteers.
Located in the province of Ontario, the City of Waterloo is approximately 110 km west of Toronto, and situated on the land traditionally cared for by the Haudenosaunee, Anishnaabe and Neutral Peoples. Waterloo (2020 population: 145,786) is a caring community that boasts a recognized knowledge economy and is home to think tanks, finance and insurance companies, a strong technology sector, a start-up culture, two universities and a college.
The Canadian Urban Institute is the national platform that houses the best in Canadian city building — where policymakers, urban professionals, civic and business leaders, community activists and academics can learn, share and collaborate with one another from coast to coast to coast. Through research, engagement and storytelling, our mission is to ensure Canada builds vibrant, equitable, liveable and resilient cities. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.