Help Build the Future of the Arts in Centre Wellington & beyond
Friends, neighbours and supporters — this is your moment to be part of something BIG.
Our expansion has been years in the making — and we’re thrilled to share that we’ve now raised over 90% of the funds needed to make it a reality.
But we’re not done yet!
We need your help to bring it home — and bring this bold vision to life.
Quick links:
- Buy a Brick
- Buy a Tree
- Buy a Fish (The School of Fish)
- Naming Opportunities
- $25 to Thrive
- Programming & Operations
- Questions? Get in touch!
Why We’re Expanding
At the Elora Centre for the Arts, our mission is to ignite creativity, foster connection and build community.
But in order to keep fulfilling this mission, we need to address the physical limitations of our current space.
We love our existing building — an historic schoolhouse built in 1856 — but, on its own, it can no longer meet the needs of our growing community:
❌ It’s not fully accessible.
❌ It can’t host large gatherings.
❌ It can be difficult for visitors to navigate.
Because we’re not fully accessible, too many people are left out — including many seniors and others with mobility challenges.
In fact, we currently have to turn away more than half of the requests we receive to use our space because of this barrier.
That’s why this expansion matters. It’s the key to creating a vibrant, inclusive space where everyone in our community can belong.
About the Expansion
We’re building a 3,500-square-foot addition to our current building that includes:
- A large, multi-use space for year-round arts programs, exhibitions, performances, community gatherings and special events
- A servery-style kitchen and other key infrastructure upgrades
- Full accessibility throughout to welcome people of all ages and abilities
This isn’t just a building — it’s a vision for a thriving, inclusive arts hub that will benefit our community for generations to come.
Why We Need Your Support
We’re a local, independent charity — not government-owned or operated — and we’ve been enriching lives through the arts since 2002.
From our exhibitions, performances, workshops, and subsidized camps and outreach programs to providing affordable creative space for local artists and community groups — the Arts Centre is a vibrant hub where creativity, connection and community thrive.
But none of this happens without you. We rely on the community’s support to do what we do.
Ready to be a part of it?
Read on for how you can leave your mark on this one-of-a-kind community project…
put your name on our expansion — Literally
Want to see your name woven into the future of the arts in Centre Wellington for years to come?
You can put your name on our expansion for as little as $17/month!
Make a one-time donation OR pledge a monthly donation to leave your legacy with one of the following options:
🧱 Buy a Brick
“Buy a brick” in a stunning limestone feature wall that will be installed in our new expansion!
Your name will be displayed alongside other proud community arts supporters on a beautifully designed plaque.
Your gift: $500 (or a pledge of $17/month from July 2025 through Dec. 2027)
🌳 Buy a Tree
“Buy a tree” in the Arts Centre’s Greenspace!
Your name will be recognized exclusively on a plaque by your tree.
Your gift: $1,000 (or a pledge of $34/month from July 2025 through Dec. 2027)
🐟 Buy a Fish
Buy one of the 75 “fish” in The School of Fish, a new public art installation by Mike Hintermeister that will be permanently displayed in the Arts Centre’s Greenspace.
Your name will be prominently featured on a plaque alongside other dedicated arts supporters who share your commitment to keeping the arts thriving in Centre Wellington for years to come.
Your gift: $2,500 (or a pledge of $84/month from July 2025 through Dec. 2027)
This is an opportunity for you, your family, your business or your community group to play a key role in shaping the future of the Elora Centre for the Arts, and have your name etched in stone (or metal) to prove it!
All donations are fully tax-deductible.
Naming Opportunities: Leave a Legacy
Want to name a space or a special feature in our new addition?
Opportunities start at $500 and can be fulfilled through a one-time gift or monthly pledge through 2027.
It’s a meaningful way to honour your family, your business, or a loved one while supporting something that lasts.
👉 Contact Molly Kleiker to explore available opportunities.
$25 to Thrive: Are You In?
FACT: There are 13,260 households in Centre Wellington.
If each one donates $25, we’ll reach our goal!!!
$25 to Thrive is a chance for all of us to do our part to keep the arts — and the Arts Centre — thriving in Centre Wellington for years to come.
Your $25 will:
✅ Help build a fully accessible space for arts programs, exhibitions, performances and more
✅ Support an independent local charity that’s been enriching lives since 2002 (we’re not government–owned or operated — we rely on community support to do what we do!)
✅ Invest in our community’s wellness — because the arts improve mental health, foster creativity, build resilience and bring people together!
It only takes a minute to give — but the impact will last for generations.
All donations are fully tax-deductible.
Have a Question or prefer to donate by phone?
Contact Mary-Kay Goindi, Development Assistant, Elora Centre for the Arts, by email or by phone at (519) 846-9698.
Looking to Support Our programming & Operations?
While the expansion is our primary fundraising focus right now, donations to our day-to-day programming and operations — including our Community Outreach Programs — are always appreciated! Click here to donate now
About the Elora Centre for the Arts
The Elora Centre for the Arts is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to igniting creativity, fostering connection and building community through the arts.
As an arts and culture hub for Wellington County, the Arts Centre serves more than 50,000 people every year through exhibitions, performances, community events, summer camps, affordable office and studio space for local artists and arts groups, and a range of programs and services for all ages.
Want to learn more about us? View our recent Annual Reports:
All donations are fully tax-deductible. Our charitable registration number is 86123 1314 RR0001.