It was a banner year for Winkler Arts and Culture (WAC).
At the organization’s annual meeting, executive director Jered Hildebrand shared that they experienced “a year of significant growth in 2025, with record participation, expanded programming, and continued financial stability.”
Attendance at the Park St. gallery grew by 63 per cent to 3,431 people throughout 2025, up from 1,956 the year before.
“While visitor numbers are important, what stands out to me is the depth of engagement,” Hildebrand noted. “More than half of those who came through our doors participated directly in programming.”
To that end, WAC offered 21 multi-week classes and 73 workshops and other events through the year. This included things like Indigenous Knowledge Sessions, after-school art programs, summer art camps, and more.
“Our mission at Winkler Arts and Culture is to provide a space where artistic and cultural expression can be taught, shared, and celebrated,” Hildebrand said, lauding program assistant Katie Bueckert and the volunteer board of directors for their work in making that possible. “Together, we strive to ensure our facility is more than simply a building. We want it to be a place where artistic opportunities are accessible, learning is encouraged, and creativity can grow at every stage of life.”
“Beyond the statistics, the feedback we receive continues to reinforce the value of this work. We regularly hear from parents whose children have gained confidence through our programs.”
Community partnerships remain a key part of WAC’s success, Hildebrand noted, pointing to ongoing support from the City of Winkler as well as connections with many area businesses and organizations who host programming or events at the gallery
“These partnerships help us create a welcoming space where people from all backgrounds can participate, learn, and connect.”
Financially, WAC ended the year with a respectable revenue increase, from $97,423 in 2024 to $113,599 in 2025, thanks largely to increased rental income, new sponsorship support, and higher art and gift shop sales.
“We reinvested our increased revenue back into our programming as total expenses increased from $90,155 to $110,506, reflecting expanded programming, increased activity levels, rising supply costs, and additional staffing hours,” Hildebrand noted.
WAC nonetheless finished the year with a surplus of $3,093 and increased net assets from $130,146 to $133,239.
“What I find particularly encouraging is that participation grew substantially faster than expenses,” Hildebrand said. “Programming participation increased by 75 per cent, while expenditures increased by 18 per cent. To me, this demonstrates that the organization is effectively converting community investment into meaningful public benefit.”
Looking to the future, WAC looks to continue strengthening its financial position and grow its programming, including expanding cultural opportunities and increasing access to youth and newcomers to the community.
The gallery will also mark 10 years of operation this fall.
“We’re going to be doing a couple of things to celebrate,” Hildebrand shared, noting they’re in the planning stages for a few different community celebrations and fundraisers to mark the anniversary.
Members’ show on now
On now at the gallery is its annual Members’ Show, which will be up until July 18. It features work from about a dozen local artists, running the gamut from paintings to photographs to ceramics.
This exhibition is an important part of WAC’s work, Hildebrand said.
“If you back to our beginnings, it was the Winkler Art Club that started all of this, so it’s definitely in our roots,” he said, noting the show gives members who might not be quite ready for a full exhibition of their own to have a venue to share their work.
“We want to make sure we don’t lose contact with our local artists,” Hildebrand stressed. “It’s super important for us to keep those relationships going, create those opportunities for them.”
Also coming up at the gallery is its Summer Art Camp, which runs weekdays from July 13 to Aug. 21. There are sessions for kids age 5-8 in the mornings and for ages 9-12 in the afternoons. Each week will feature a variety of art mediums for kids to learn and explore. You can register online at winklerarts.com.
