Community
Centre In The Square is a not-for-profit corporation, and registered charity. Charitable number: 896568417RR0001
In an effort to address the greatest needs in Waterloo Region, Centre In The Square’s Community Engagement focuses on four areas; Supporting Local Artists and Arts Organizations, Supporting Women, Supporting Youth and Supporting Mental Health Initiatives.
The Lullaby Project
A program of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (WMI), The Lullaby Project pairs expectant mothers or mothers of young babies who are at-risk with song writers to write and record a personal lullaby for their baby. Centre In The Square is one of more than 40 partner organizations around the world working with families in their communities.
Our program will be working with Monica Place, an accredited child and youth mental health agency that provides shelter and supports to pregnant and parenting youth ages 12-24. We will also be working with the Grand Valley Institution For Women, providing a bonding experience for new mothers that are incarcerated.
Waterloo Region Song Writers: For this project, we will be working with Samantha Tai, Amanda Braam, and Jessie T.
We have also partnered with the Kitchener Public Library so participants will have the option to professionally record their lullaby in the Heffner Studios.
Centre In The Square · Lullaby Project 2022/2023
Donate to this program to help us change the lives of more young families.
![](https://centreinthesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DONATE-NOW-BUTTON.png)
![](https://centreinthesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Carnegie-Hall-logo-WMI-with-arts-fund-logo.png)
Artshine/Arts4all
In 2022 Centre In The Square partnered with ArtShine/Arts4All to bring art workshops and supplies to elementary schools and female youth groups in underprivileged neighbourhoods, as well as women struggling with addiction.
In 2023, Centre In The Square will be the Fiscal Partner for Arts4All through the Waterloo Region Community Foundation’s Arts Grants Fund, The Keith & Winnifred Shantz Fund for the Arts. Thanks to this funding, we will be able to continue bringing art workshops and supplies to underprivileged children and youth in Waterloo Region.
Artshine/Arts4all is a non-profit Waterloo Region business that is dedicated to creating and providing art programming for communities, making sure that no one is limited by location, age, ability, income, or life circumstances.
![](https://centreinthesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/artshine-art4all-logoo.png)
Creative Recording Initiative
In partnership with the City of Kitchener, House of Friendship, Communitech, Cook Homes and Stephen Dunnington, Centre In The Square helped provide five youth from the Courtland Shelley neighbourhood the opportunity to gain hands-on experience learning audio recording and music production from local professionals. The goal of the program is to create opportunities for the next generation of music engineers, producers, composers, and performers.
![](https://centreinthesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/BOB-YOUTUBE.png)
Access2Entertainment
Centre In The Square is dedicated to offering an inclusive space where everyone in the community can access our shows. In partnership with Easter Seals, Centre In The Square participates in the Access2Entertainment program, where any support person of a patron with a disability can get a complimentary ticket. Tickets may be ordered by phone or in person (not available online) and valid Access2 card must be presented when tickets are picked up. Applicable to participating performances only and may be limited for some performances.
Demand for this program has been growing year over year and additional funding will be required to meet this demand. Donate to this program and help us ensure everyone in Waterloo Region has access to theatre.
![](https://centreinthesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DONATE-NOW-BUTTON.png)
![](https://centreinthesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Access-2-Entertainment-logo.jpg.png)
Community Ticket Program
Centre In The Square supports the fundraising efforts of other non-profit organizations from Waterloo Region by providing complementary show tickets for silent/online auctions with the Community Ticket Program.
To request tickets for your fundraiser, please fill out the form.
![](https://centreinthesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DONATE-NOW-BUTTON.png)
SHSM (Special High Skills Major) Workshop
SHSM is a specialized program that allows students to gain credits toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma while they explore, identify, and refine career goals and make informed decisions related to post-secondary education or training and next steps towards a career.
With a collective 245 years of experience, Centre In The Square’s stage crew are some of the most experienced, knowledgeable tradespeople in the business. Working alongside SHSM, our crew offers the next generation of arts and culture workers a half day seminar about Lighting, Sound Equipment, and Technical Staging.
This program enables us to connect with the next generation of arts workers at no additional cost to them.
![Multiple teenagers stand on the stage, gathered around a lighting console, as a Centre In The Square crew member explains its functions. The scene captures a hands-on learning experience, providing insight into the technical aspects of stage lighting and fostering a collaborative atmosphere among the participants.](https://centreinthesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Artboard-9-copy-2.png)
![Multiple teenagers stand on the stage, their attention focused on the ceiling to the left, where a Centre In The Square crew member points to overhead lighting fixtures to the left. In front of the staff member, a lighting track suspended by wires hangs close to the ground. The scene captures a hands-on learning experience, providing insight into the technical aspects of stage lighting and fostering a collaborative atmosphere among the participants.](https://centreinthesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Artboard-9-copy-3.png)
![Multiple teenagers gather on the stage, forming a focused audience as a Centre In The Square crew member explains technical functions. The scene reflects an educational moment, where participants engage in learning about the technical intricacies of the stage, fostering a collaborative and inquisitive atmosphere.](https://centreinthesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Artboard-9-copy-4.png)
![Multiple teenagers gather in a room filled with wires and cords, attentively listening as a Centre In The Square crew member stands in the middle, explaining the intricacies of sound engineering. The scene captures a hands-on learning experience, providing insights into the technical aspects of audio production and fostering a collaborative atmosphere among the participants.](https://centreinthesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Artboard-9-copy.png)
![Two Centre In The Square crew members stand in a room, engaged in the technical aspects of their work. One crew member, with his left hand lifted, gestures towards three large spotlight lamps, while the other crew member, positioned behind one of the lamps, holds a screwdriver, indicating hands-on maintenance or adjustment. The scene reflects a collaborative effort in managing and maintaining spotlight equipment.](https://centreinthesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Artboard-9.png)