Building Arts Ottawa’s Shared Leadership Model
During our Co-Creation Labs, we heard a clear message from artists, arts workers, and community members: governance should reflect the values of the community it serves.
Participants called for more clarity, connection, and equity across our decision-making structures. They also highlighted the need for paid opportunities, better communication between groups, and stronger support for community-led voices.
In response, Arts Ottawa is deepening its commitment to shared governance by defining the roles and responsibilities of our three key leadership bodies:
Our Community Advisory Members (formerly Membership) are artists, cultural workers, and arts organizations who help guide our work. They’re invited to share insights on what’s most urgent in the arts community, helping shape our priorities and focus. CAMs can engage by attending events, joining working groups, completing surveys, and more. Through it all, they serve as a key checkpoint, making sure our actions reflect the needs and priorities of the arts community. LEARN MORE AND BECOME A CAM HERE.
The Core Leadership Circle acts as a catalyst for activation, formed around each of our Action Labs. As each Lab explores a key issue in the arts, a dedicated CLC is brought together to support and shape the work—then dissolved once that phase of the work evolves.
These temporary, purpose-driven groups bring together individuals, organizations, and advisors from across and beyond the arts, offering insight, strategy, and connections. The CLC helps guide our approach, support momentum, and champion the outcomes that emerge.
The Board remains a crucial part of our governance structure, providing legal, financial, and strategic oversight. Their primary focus is on fiduciary responsibilities, ensuring financial stability, compliance, and supporting long-term planning. While they will be less involved in day-to-day operations, we heard the need for this group to stay connected to community voices — so we’re building stronger links between the Board and our advisory and leadership circles, with some members participating directly in the Core Leadership Circle (CLC). MEET THE BOARD.
Our Next Steps
To make sure this shared model works in practice, we are taking the following steps:
Clarifying Roles and Authority: We’re developing formal decision-making protocols to define what each group can decide, influence, or recommend.
Investing in Capacity: We’re implementing paid stipends, and more accessible options to remove barriers to participation.
Training and Orientation: We’re designing onboarding and mentorship pathways to support emerging leaders from all communities.
Linking Governance Bodies: We’re creating formal feedback loops between the Board, Staff, CLC, and CAM to keep everyone aligned and accountable.
Why This Matters
This governance model, created with the community we serve, is about trust, equity, and real collaboration. By making space for lived experience, shared decision-making, and community leadership, we’re building an organization that better serves artists and reflects the values of our city.
Timeline:
2023 - 2024 : Community Conversations → Read the report here → Watch the sessions online
January 2025 : Transforming together: Systemic Change for Community Benefit → Read our Merger Case Study here
February - April 2025 : Learning Labs → Learn more and watch online here
April 2025 : Co-Creation Labs → Learn more here
June 2025 : Shared Ground → Learn more here
Stay Involved
We’ll continue to share updates as these next steps roll out. If you want to learn more, or have ideas to share, get in touch with us here.
Co-Creating Arts Ottawa is funded by:
