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Region of Waterloo's Public Art Program

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Banner image: Lauren Judge and Elana Zur, Arras, 2018, glass mosaic tile. Fairway ION Station.

Public Art inspires connection, conversation, self-reflection, and a sense of community.

The Region of Waterloo recognizes the important role that arts, culture and heritage play enriching the lives of residents and attract talent and visitors to Waterloo Region.

The Region of Waterloo's Public Art Program includes 25 artworks in its permanent collection, and rotating temporary public art projects.

The Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) reports to the Community and Health Services Committee through the Commissioner of Planning, Development and Legislative Services. PAAC assists in administering the Public Art Policy. This includes the procedure for selecting, acquiring, maintaining and disposing of public art using funds available from the Public Art Reserve.

Left to Right: Maquette of David General’s His Messenger – Our Prayers, 2011, Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum; Stephen Cruise, shaping Residency, 2019, Fairway ION Station; Lauren Judge and Elana Zur, Arras, 2018, Fairway ION Station.

Public Art Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference Changes

The PAAC’s Terms of Reference (TOR), provides guidelines and direction to committee members to help manage expectations and to enable the Committee to hold itself accountable for its activities. PAAC’s Terms of Reference were last updated in September of 2015.

Cultural Services staff began review of the PAAC’s Terms of Reference (TOR) in late 2022 initiating discussions between Cultural Services, Legislative Services, and the Offices of Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

A collaborative overview of the PAAC’s TOR resulted in the following proposed amendments:

  • A vision statement that outlines governing principles that PAAC will adhere to when advising staff and the Region’s standing committees. This new item is a result of consultation with the Region’s Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion teams and follows the form of other Advisory Committees’ Terms of Reference.
  • A change to the number of community members that may serve on PAAC (changed from six to 10 to increase diversity of perspectives).
  • A new item that reflects a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion when recruiting committee members as per Policy #7-15.
  • A change to the length of terms to coincide with other Advisory Committees’ terms (changed from 3 years to 4 years with two consecutive terms allowed, instead of three consecutive terms).

Left to Right: Ernest Daetwyler, The Wall of Nightmares and Dreams, 2010, Region of Waterloo International Airport; Ed Zelenak, Aporia, 1978, WRPS Central Division; Veronica and Edwin Dam de Nogales, Because Cats Can’t Fly, 2017, Market ION Station.

Have your Say

Help shape the future of public art across Waterloo Region by reviewing a new Terms of Reference for the Region of Waterloo's Public Art Advisory Committee.

  • Proposed changes to PAAC’s Terms of Reference - please provide survey feedback by April 15th, 2024.

The new Public Art Advisory Committee Terms of Reference will be reviewed by the Community and Health Services Committee in May 2024.

Upcoming Engagement

The Public Art Advisory Committee and Region of Waterloo Cultural Services staff are reviewing the public art policy. Follow this page to receive updates on future engagement opportunities.

Banner image: Lauren Judge and Elana Zur, Arras, 2018, glass mosaic tile. Fairway ION Station.

Public Art inspires connection, conversation, self-reflection, and a sense of community.

The Region of Waterloo recognizes the important role that arts, culture and heritage play enriching the lives of residents and attract talent and visitors to Waterloo Region.

The Region of Waterloo's Public Art Program includes 25 artworks in its permanent collection, and rotating temporary public art projects.

The Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) reports to the Community and Health Services Committee through the Commissioner of Planning, Development and Legislative Services. PAAC assists in administering the Public Art Policy. This includes the procedure for selecting, acquiring, maintaining and disposing of public art using funds available from the Public Art Reserve.

Left to Right: Maquette of David General’s His Messenger – Our Prayers, 2011, Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum; Stephen Cruise, shaping Residency, 2019, Fairway ION Station; Lauren Judge and Elana Zur, Arras, 2018, Fairway ION Station.

Public Art Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference Changes

The PAAC’s Terms of Reference (TOR), provides guidelines and direction to committee members to help manage expectations and to enable the Committee to hold itself accountable for its activities. PAAC’s Terms of Reference were last updated in September of 2015.

Cultural Services staff began review of the PAAC’s Terms of Reference (TOR) in late 2022 initiating discussions between Cultural Services, Legislative Services, and the Offices of Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

A collaborative overview of the PAAC’s TOR resulted in the following proposed amendments:

  • A vision statement that outlines governing principles that PAAC will adhere to when advising staff and the Region’s standing committees. This new item is a result of consultation with the Region’s Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion teams and follows the form of other Advisory Committees’ Terms of Reference.
  • A change to the number of community members that may serve on PAAC (changed from six to 10 to increase diversity of perspectives).
  • A new item that reflects a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion when recruiting committee members as per Policy #7-15.
  • A change to the length of terms to coincide with other Advisory Committees’ terms (changed from 3 years to 4 years with two consecutive terms allowed, instead of three consecutive terms).

Left to Right: Ernest Daetwyler, The Wall of Nightmares and Dreams, 2010, Region of Waterloo International Airport; Ed Zelenak, Aporia, 1978, WRPS Central Division; Veronica and Edwin Dam de Nogales, Because Cats Can’t Fly, 2017, Market ION Station.

Have your Say

Help shape the future of public art across Waterloo Region by reviewing a new Terms of Reference for the Region of Waterloo's Public Art Advisory Committee.

  • Proposed changes to PAAC’s Terms of Reference - please provide survey feedback by April 15th, 2024.

The new Public Art Advisory Committee Terms of Reference will be reviewed by the Community and Health Services Committee in May 2024.

Upcoming Engagement

The Public Art Advisory Committee and Region of Waterloo Cultural Services staff are reviewing the public art policy. Follow this page to receive updates on future engagement opportunities.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Changes to Public Art Advisory Committee Terms of Reference - for review

    The Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) reports to the Community and Health Services Committee and administers Public Art Policy. This includes the procedure for selecting, acquiring, disposing, placing, maintaining and cataloguing public art using funds available from the Public Art Reserve Fund.


    Proposed changes to PAAC’s Terms of Reference 


    The PAAC’s Terms of Reference (TOR) provide guidelines and clear direction to committee members to help manage expectations and to enable the Committee to hold itself accountable for its activities. The TOR also provides a frame of reference that a Board can use to make informed decisions. 
    PAAC’s Terms of Reference were last updated in September of 2015.  


    Cultural Services staff began review of the PAAC’s Terms of Reference (ToR) in late 2022 with the assistance of Transportation staff, who had recently received Council’s approval for the Active Transportation Advisory Committee’s updated Terms of Reference. The amendment process also initiated discussions between Cultural Services, Legislative Services, and the Offices of Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. A collaborative overview of the PAAC’s TOR resulted in the following proposed amendments: 


    Changes include:

    • A vision statement that outlines governing principles that PAAC will adhere to when advising staff and the Region’s standing committees. This new item is a result of consultation with the Region’s Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion teams and follows the form of other Advisory Committees’ Terms of Reference. 

    •  A change to the number of community members that may serve on PAAC (changed from six to 10 to increase diversity of perspectives). 

    • A new item that reflects a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion when recruiting committee members as per Policy #7-15. 

    • A change to the length of terms to coincide with other Advisory Committees’ terms (changed from 3 years to 4 years with two consecutive terms allowed, instead of three consecutive terms).  

    • An update to item #5 to describe the new process outlined in Policy #7-15 whereby a nominating panel selected by the Regional Chair reviews applications for PAAC community appointments. Before this change in policy, Cultural Services staff recommended appointments to the Community and Health Services Committee and Regional Council.  

    • An update to the Conflict of Interest section in alignment with Policy #7-14. 


    Please help inform the new Terms of Reference for the Region of Waterloo's The Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) by completing this brief survey.


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Page last updated: 15 Apr 2024, 09:00 AM