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Artwork featuring a bridge over water, titled Nurture Future by artist Melanie Yugo.
Two performers on stage.

Arts Ottawa supports and advocates for artists and the arts in Ottawa.

Through our focus on collaboration and partnership, we mobilize collective action in Ottawa’s arts community with an emphasis on inclusive and participatory decision-making.

Artwork: Melanie Yugo, Nurture Future

Photo: Curtis Perry

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Co-Leadership Circle

Mobilizes action, connects sectors, and guides collective vision.

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Advisory circle

Amplifies arts voices and connects communities to action.

Action Labs and the Core Leadership Circle

Tackle urgent issues, driving sector-wide change

Membership

Connecting communities to action and amplifying arts voices.

Volunteer

Connect with local artists and give back to your community

Governance

Board ensures accountability and aligns collective action with strategic goals

Support Arts Ottawa

Your contributions fuel the growth of our local arts sector

Sponsorship

Sponsor the arts in our local community

Ways to Get Involved

Be part of shaping Ottawa’s arts community. Your involvement amplifies creativity, builds connections, and drives collective action. Together, we can create a thriving, inclusive cultural landscape.

Co-Creating Arts Ottawa
Timeline

January

Introduction of Co-Creating Arts Ottawa
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First Open Office Hours: Welcome to Arts Ottawa
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February

Learning Lab no.1:
Governance Models and Advocacy in the Arts  
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Open Office Hours:
Discussing Arts Awards 

March

Learning Lab no.2 :
Artists as Community Leaders
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Open Office Hours:

Discussing Mentorship within the Arts

April

Learning Lab no. 3:
Redefining Volunteerism in Governance
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Co-Creation Labs: building a governance model
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May

Learning Labs recap videos available online

watch now

June

AGMs held on June 18th

Read the annual reports here

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Shared Ground 
first event of the initiative held on June 25th
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July

Unveiling of our new
Arts Ottawa Awards
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​

Launch of the
Giving Circle
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Open Office Hours:
Arts Ottawa's Shared Leadership Model
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August

Updated volunteer pathway and new ways
to stay connected
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Introduction to Artist Talk: our online community forum
Coming soon

September

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October

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November

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December

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Driving collective action to address the needs and priorities of Ottawa's arts sector.

A diverse audience applauding at an arts event.

Photo: Curtis Perry

Programs & Services

Gatherings that cultivate leadership, collaboration, and sustainability in the arts sector

Arts & Cultural Leadership Series

Gatherings that cultivate leadership, collaboration, and sustainability in the arts sector

Monthly discussions on rotating topics that interest the arts community

Open Office Hours

Monthly discussions on rotating topics that interest the arts community

Enacting sustainable, meaningful change in communities is a complex and ongoing challenge. That’s why Arts Ottawa and the City of Ottawa have launched the Artist-in-Residence in Government (AIRG) program. This initiative connects artists with municipal government staff and the community to tackle unique civic challenges and reimagine traditional approaches. By embedding an artist within a city department, their creative perspectives and lived experiences help co-create transformative models of community engagement—addressing pressing local issues in innovative ways that push beyond the status quo.

Artist in Residence in Government

Enacting sustainable, meaningful change in communities is a complex and ongoing challenge. That’s why Arts Ottawa and the City of Ottawa have launched the Artist-in-Residence in Government (AIRG) program. This initiative connects artists with municipal government staff and the community to tackle unique civic challenges and reimagine traditional approaches. By embedding an artist within a city department, their creative perspectives and lived experiences help co-create transformative models of community engagement—addressing pressing local issues in innovative ways that push beyond the status quo.

Subscribe to the Arts Ottawa Report!

Arts Ottawa offers a bi-weekly report that will keep you up to date on all of the programs and services Arts Ottawa has to offer the Ottawa community. Learn about our newsletters here.

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