Activate Arts

The County Arts Lab is a 2500 square foot unit on the Main Street level of the Picton Armoury (206 Main Street, unit 2E, Picton, ON). Amenities include: 12′ x 8′ foldable stage platform with skirting, Fiber-optic Internet, small kitchen, air conditioning, Blue Air Pro L Air Purifier, tables and chairs, white board, wall-mounted projector screen, gallery lighting, moveable display walls and plinths, and a wide selection of art tools including easels and palettes. There is also a separate Conference Room with table and chairs.

For a floor plan and full list of fixtures and equipment available click here.

Call for Applications – 2026 Summer Rentals

We are seeking applications for summer 2026 arts activity rentals at the County Arts Lab!

There are two spaces available for rent:

1 – Main Space: $750 per week – This is a 1500 square feet space with track lighting and moveable walls (plinths also available). 

2 – Project Space: $250 per week – This is a 150 square feet space with clip-on lighting and a separate entrance from the Main Space. The renter can also use the adjacent hallway/entry space.

Possible Uses: We will take applications for exhibitions, rehearsal space, studio space for a specific project, or any other use that is either public or private and doesn’t charge an entry fee. One slot will be reserved for a non-exhibition use. For non-exhibition uses, chairs, tables, an 8’ x 12’ stage and basic sound & lighting equipment are also available. 

TO APPLY: Before completing your application, please carefully review the Program Guidelines linked here, where you’ll also find the link to the Application Form. Applications for Summer 2026 rentals are still being accepted.

If you would like assistance developing your application or for alternative application methods, please contact our Programs Director Stacey Sproule at stacey@countyarts.ca.

County Arts Arts Organization Member Rates – September-June

Our Activate Arts rental program helps subsidize the substantial rental and utilities costs that County Arts (a nonprofit charity) incurs by running this beautiful, artist-focused space on behalf of our community.

To encourage community use, Arts Organization Members can access up to 8 free daytime hours or 4 free evening hours per month to carry out their meetings, rehearsals, and other free-of-charge creative activities during the non-summer months.

For events that charge a fee to attendees, the below rates apply. Events that require additional support from County Arts staff, such as clearing the space, will be subject to additional fees, please reach out to our Programs Director, Stacey Sproule- stacey@countyarts.ca to discuss rates.

Beyond the free hours, Arts Organization Members can add additional hours at the following rates:

Business Hour Rentals e.g. 9-5 from Monday-Friday (excluding holidays)
$60 + HST = 1-4 hour period
$84 + HST = 5-7 hour period

Evening/Weekend Rentals, e.g. 5-9 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays
$96 + HST = 1-4 hour period
$120 + HST = 5-7 hour period

Full Day Rentals
$150 + HST = Full day (9 a.m. – 9 p.m.)

We may also be able to accommodate one-off rentals of the Main Space and/or Conference Room by County Arts Artist Members at the above rates during business hours, i.e. when staff is present. If only the Conference Room is being rented by Artist Members or Arts Organization Members, the above rates OR a $10/hr rate – whichever is cheaper – would apply.

If you aren’t yet a County Arts member, join us! Visit our Membership page for more info and to sign up.

Non-Member Rates – September-June

Subject to availability, the space is also available for rent to non-County Arts Members for events with no entry fees at the following rates:

Business Hour Rentals e.g. 9-5 from Monday-Friday (excluding holidays)
$100 + HST = 1-4 hour period
$140 + HST = 5-7 hour period

Evening/Weekend Rentals, e.g. 5-9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays
$160 + HST = 1-4 hour period
$200 + HST = 5-7 hour period

Full Day Rentals
$250 + HST = Full day (9 a.m. – 9 p.m.)

For events with entry fees please reach out to our Programs Director, Stacey Sproule- stacey@countyarts.ca to discuss rates.

Notes

• During the non-summer months (i.e. when our community programming is running), the Lab cannot be used by artists or arts organizations to offer their own paid workshop/course programming. (In light of our commitment to building relationships and harnessing the power of art to foster truth and reconciliation, special consideration may be given to rental requests for activities involving Indigenous artists.) If you have an idea for a course offering at the County Arts Lab, you can apply to join our Artist Instructor team (intake deadlines are Late Spring and Late Fall; outside of these times, please reach out to Stacey Sproule at stacey@countyarts.ca).
• Events that require additional support from County Arts staff, such as clearing the space, installation, significant set-up, or other support will be subject to additional fees.
• Rentals of the County Arts Lab during the summer months will be programmed through our yearly open call, and are subject to different fees than those above.

If you have any questions, please contact our Programs Director Stacey Sproule at stacey@countyarts.ca.

Questions or booking inquiries?

Please get in touch with our Programs Director Stacey Sproule (stacey@countyarts.ca) with any inquiries about using the space. Please note that during our community programming sessions, we aren’t able to offer long-term/overnight storage for materials or equipment. 

IMPORTANT INFO for all potential renters:

• To access the member rate, the applicant must be an Artist Member, or a representative of an Arts Organization Member group, in good standing at the time of booking and throughout their rental period.
• Depending on the renter’s business and membership statuses, they might be required to provide proof of, and include PEC Arts Council as an Additional Insured on, their Commercial General Liability insurance.
• For events involving alcohol, the renter must ensure they have the necessary insurance, permits, and smart serve certifications in place.
• The renter may not use the Lab for illegal or improper purposes, nor permit the disturbance, noise or annoyance whatsoever, detrimental to the premises or to the comfort of other tenants.