History

In 1995, a group of arts organizations, including the Arts Council-Windsor & Region, Gina Lori Riley Dance Enterprises, and the artist-run gallery Artcite, approached City Council as one entity, requesting assistance to create a permanent funding base for community artists and arts organizations.

With encouragement, WEA was then established for the threefold purpose of creating a stable funding base; establishing principles for the growth and governance of the organization; and developing a systemic approach for the evaluation of funding applications.

The declared principle of WEA was then, and continues to be, to encourage, develop, and celebrate the existence of the arts in Windsor in order to enrich the quality of life in the greater community.

WEA has partnered with a number of different organizations to highlight the arts in Windsor Essex.  With support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, it has designed and implemented a donor development program and its new Arts Leadership Awards and WEA Arts Grants program. It is now poised for continued growth to nourish the arts in Windsor Essex.
 

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WEA plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the essence, beauty, and power of art is alive for current and future generations.

~ Terry Fink, Director of Culture & Recreation, Town of LaSalle