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Browse Arts Ottawa's annual reports and learn about our AGM. Annual General Meeting + Reports Each year Arts Ottawa hosts its Annual General Meeting (AGM). This is the yearly gathering of our members, community, and other invested parties. At the AGM, Arts Ottawa will present our financials, annual report and more. Invested parties will have the opportunity to vote on the issues at hand. Photo: Jamaal Khaleefa 2025 AGM Arts Ottawa Annual General Meeting May 27th, 2026 5:00 - 8:00pm Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins This AGM is open to members in good standing. If you are unsure about your membership status, or have any questions, please contact us at info@artsottawa.ca . Register for the AGM here Download AGM Documents Annual Reports 2025 Arts Ottawa Annual Report 2025 Download 2024 Arts Network Ottawa Annual Report 2024 Coming Soon Ottawa Arts Council Annual Report 2024 Coming Soon 2024 Arts Network Ottawa Annual Report 2024 Download Ottawa Arts Council Annual Report 2024 Download 2023 Arts Network Ottawa Annual Report 2023 Download Ottawa Arts Council Annual Report 2023 Download 2025 Arts Ottawa Impact Report 2025 Download Read online

Browse Arts Ottawa's exhaustive list of resources for artists in Ottawa. Funding ORGANIZATIONS City of Ottawa Ottawa Community Foundation Ontario Arts Council Ontario Trillium Foundation Ontario Creates Ontario Arts Foundation Canada Council for the Arts Canadian Heritage The Actors' Fund of Canada Canadian Writers Foundation Metcalf Foundation Michaëlle Jean Foundation Factor Canada Media Fund Telefilm Canada Filmmaker Assistance Program International Federation of Arts Councils & Culture Agencies Theatre Action Telus Community Boards The Hnatyshyn Foundation MICRO-GRANTS Music x Business Grants Ottawa Art Society Awesome Foundation Tontine Awards 100 Women Who Care Ottawa 100 Men Who Care Ottawa GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING Ontario Arts Council Guide Ontario Presents – Webinar Series for Arts Presenting Canada Council Guide FUNDRAISING SKILLS AFP Ottawa: Association of Fundraising Professionals (Ottawa chapter) WorkInCulture: WorkSmarts Algonquin College Charity Village FUNDRAISING TOOLS Grant Connect by Imagine Canada GoFundMe Indiegogo Arts Service Organizations MULTIDISCIPLINARY ArtsBuild Culture Outaouais Ontario Presents Ottawa Festivals PERFORMING ARTS Dance Ontario Dance Umbrella Théâtre Action Ottawa Fringe Festival Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) Canadian Music Centre Canadian Media Producer Association VISUAL, CRAFT AND MEDIA ARTS ARCA Artscape Craft Ontario Canadian Media Producer Association Ottawa Film Office Ottawa Art Gallery Ontario Society of Artists Digital Arts Resource Centre Services GRANT WRITING Grant Solutions Canada LEGAL Artists’ Legal Services Ottawa (ALSO) Ontario Government Independent Legal Advice for Survivors of Sexual Assault Artists Legal Advice Services (ALAS) Steps to Justice Pacific Legal Education & Outreach Society (PLEO) Canadian Intellectual Property Office Copyright Visual Arts National Network of Legal Clinics for the Arts CONTRACTS CARFAC Ontario NETWORKING Artengine Ottawa-Gatineau Printmakers’ Connective Ottawa Black Art Kollective Ottawa Guild of Potters National Capital Network of Sculptors West Carleton Arts Society Association des auteures et auteurs de l’Ontario français (AAOF) WorkInCulture Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada artsUNITE CAPACOA The Musicians’ Association of Ottawa-Gatineau including Huntsville and Sudbury ArtsConnect Ottawa Editors Association of Canada Canadian Freelance Guild Writers Guild of Canada Canadian Actors' Equity Association Associated Designers of Canada Playwrights Guild of Canada Union des Artistes International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Canadian Federation of Musicians Canadian League of Composers Songwriters Association of Canada Canadian Dance Assembly HOUSING PAL Ottawa Ottawa Community Housing Centretown Citizens Corporation FINANCIAL Employed artists: Income tax for artists and writers Young and Associates Art Producer Resource CAREER MANAGEMENT Art of Managing Your Career – CHRC INSURANCE The Arts & Entertainment Plan Group Health Benefit Program Assurart RESEARCH AND POLICY Hill Strategies Creative City Network Arts and Belonging: Community Foundations Canada VOLUNTEER City of Ottawa Volunteer Ottawa Charity Village Volunteer Listings Volunteer Canada Supplies and Equipment VISUAL ARTS Patrick Gordon Framing Studio Wallack’s Art Supplies and Framing DeSerres National Capital Network of Sculptors list of suppliers MUSIC Lauzon Steve’s Music Long & McQuade Musical Instruments PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO Henry’s Vistek Independent Filmmakers Co-operative of Ottawa Digital Arts Resource Centre OTHER Ottawa Tool Library Presenting GALLERIES Ottawa Art Gallery Annexe City of Ottawa Galleries and Exhibition Spaces Ottawa School of Art Gallery SAW Gallery Gallery 101 Voix visuelle Orange Art Gallery Wallspace Gallery de Montigny Contemporary Luna Glass Studio STUDIO SPACES AND RESIDENCIES City of Ottawa Artist Studio Program Studio Space Ottawa Enriched Bread Artists SPAO Residency Ottawa School of Art Residency Program The Flava Factory Artengine Diefenbunker Artist Residency TOURING Canada Arts Presenters - CAPACOA Ontario Presents Réseau Ontario LOCAL MEDIA Apt613 Ottawa Life CKCU CHUO CBC Ottawa Morning CBC All in a Day Ottawa Citizen Artlist Centretown News Artsfile Nosy Mag PERFORMANCE VENUES Live on Elgin Algonquin Commons Theatre Bronson Centre Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe Arts Court Great Canadian Theatre Company Club SAW Micaela Fitch Room La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins Shenkman Arts Centre The Gladstone Ottawa Little Theatre The Origin Arts & Community Centre Ottawa Dance Directive Studio Rental Gigspace ONLINE SPACES Etsy Artsy Behance Dribbble Medium 500px Soundcloud Bandcamp Spotify TALENT AGENCIES Angie's Models & Talent Inc. First Stage Mensour Agency Professional Development Community Conversations Community Conversations FULL SPECTRUM SERIES Brand Strategy: How to Create a Compelling Strategy for Artists - Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah Going Digital: Moving Your Performance Online, Allison Burns Patreon: The Ins and Outs of Peer Funding, Colin White Brand Longevity: Localising, Evolving, and Diversifying Your Brand Over Time, Kwende Kefentse NFTs: A New Revenue Generator for Digital Arts, Carmilla Sumantry Advocacy: a Tool Guide to Using Your Voice for Action in the Arts, Fae Johnstone Get Insured: Navigating the World of Liability Insurance, Colette Mendenhall Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Best Practices in Creating Authentic Change, Sharon Nyangweso Arts+ series Mac-Cam COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HIGH SCHOOLS Canterbury High School De La Salle High School École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges The Ottawa School of Art SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre Algonquin College School of Media and Design University of Ottawa, Department of Visual Arts University of Ottawa, Department of Theatre University of Ottawa, School of Music Carleton University, Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership Carleton University, Art History Carleton University, Music La Cité, Arts et Design OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND ONLINE LEARNING Gloucester Pottery School Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association Ottawa Acting Studio Cultural Human Resources Council Digital Arts Resource Centre Propeller Dance Odyssey Theatre Youth Apprenticeship Program OrKidstra The School of Dance Ottawa School of Theatre Level Up The Royal Conservatory, Artist Educator Professional Training Alcorn Music Studios Kick Start Arts Digital Toolkit SOCIAL MEDIA Drive Social Engagement with Bio Sites from Unfold Canadian Federation of Independent Business Hubspot - Social Media Marketing: The Ultimate Guide OPERATIONS The Art of Good Governance Cultural Human Resources Council Volunteer Ottawa Future of Work HR Toolkit Canadian Code of Conduct for the Performing Arts Respectful Workplaces in the Arts SOFTWARE SketchUp TechSoup Canada Google for Nonprofits Sumac OTHER RESOURCES Resources - Ontario Presents Advocacy CANADA Canadian Arts Coalition Canadian Heritage – Creative Canada Policy Framework ONTARIO Ontario Culture Stategy Ontario Non-Profit Network OTTAWA Ottawa 2013-18 Cultural Action Plan Ottawa Cultural Alliance Artist Wellbeing HEALTH Ottawa Public Health Mental Health Crisis Line Mental Health Links Youth Services Mind Beacon Unison Benevolent Fund Indian Residential School Survivors Society Ontario Health and Safety, Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act Artists Health Alliance SAFETY Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa (SASC) WISE Ottawa Sexual Assault Network (SAN) Ontario Human Rights Commission — Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Policies AOcVF (Action ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes) Respectful Workplaces in the Arts Canadian Code of Conduct for the Performing Arts Dandelion Initiative Not in Our Space! Artist Producer Resource—Creating a Harassment Policy Project Sound Check Commit to Kids The Lifeline Canada Foundation Kids Help Phone Reconciliation The staff and Board of Directors of Arts Ottawa stand in solidarity with the Indigenous families and community members affected by residential schools, ongoing injustices, and systemic discrimination across this land. Working internally and externally, we are committed to keep learning, building trust, and removing barriers across our operations and services, to become a stronger, more supportive ally. For those affected by the legacy of residential schools, please note that support is available: The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides support for former students and those affected. The emotional and crisis referral services can be accessed by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419. - The Indian Residential School Survivors Society offers a crisis line for grief, crisis, and trauma counselling: 1-800-721-0066. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: 94 Calls to Action National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation University of Alberta, Indigenous Canada course Indigenous Ally Toolkit Guiding Principles for Presenting Indigenous Work Towards Braining, by Elwood Jimmy and Vanessa Andreotti Article: “21 things you may not know about the Indian Act” Resources for Indigenous People We acknowledge that our offices, located on Daly Street in downtown Ottawa, stand on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. For generations, the Algonquin people have lived on, cared for, and protected this land. It remains their homeland to this day. This acknowledgment is not a declaration of history alone, it is a recognition of the ongoing presence, rights, and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples. In offering this statement, we aim not only to honour the Algonquin Nation but also to actively resist the erasure of Indigenous identities, cultures, and voices from our shared history and present, many of whom continue to be denied the opportunity and resources to make, share, and experience their traditional art and ways of life on these very lands. True reconciliation begins with awareness and continues through action. Through our work, we commit to amplifying Indigenous voices, stories, and experiences, and to supporting the sovereignty, rights, and cultural resurgence of Indigenous peoples. This is one small but vital step in the ongoing journey toward truth, accountability, and meaningful change. Tungasuvvingat Inuit Inuit Specific Services Gignul Non-Profit Corporation Housing Services Tewegan Housing Services Kagita Mikam Employment Services Makonsag Children and Family Services Larga Baffin Health Services Minwaashin Lodge Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health
 Assembly of Seven Generations Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families Odawa Native Friendship Centre Multi-Services The Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance Media Indigena Mashkawazìwogamig Indigenous Resource Centre Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition Resources Jump to category: Funding Arts Organizations Services Supplies Presenting Professional Development Advocacy Artist Wellbeing Reconciliation For Indigenous People

Sign up for the Arts Ottawa newsletters to stay up to date with the arts community. Newsletters Read more about Arts Ottawa's three newsletters here and sign up below. ARTS OTTAWA REPORT Bi-weekly updates The Arts Ottawa Report will keep you up to date on all of the programs and services Arts Ottawa has to offer the Ottawa community. This newsletter is to inform you on all of our programs, job opportunities and staff changes within the organization, workshops, fundraising and reports, as well as the services Arts Ottawa offers. Subscribe to the Arts Ottawa Report below. artist talk & The WKND Bulletin Now living on an online Community Forum We heard you: artists, organizers, and art-lovers alike want a central place to access resources, share events, and stay informed without jumping between platforms or missing out on what matters. We’ve created this new hub with the goal of creating a space that is collaborative, community-driven, and easy to navigate — so you can spend less time searching and more time creating, attending, organizing, and connecting. Visit the New Hub Here! Explore the new Artist Talk! Our new community hub brings together events, resources, and discussions — all in one place. Stay connected, informed, and inspired. Visit Artist Talk 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. Email* Yes, subscribe me to Arts Ottawa Report. * Submit

What if we had better ways to calculate the social impact that the arts contribute to local communities?   Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts What if we had better ways to calculate the social impact that the arts contribute to local communities?   Photo: Brooklyn Marok Arts Ottawa is engaged in strategic conversations with public and private partners in relation to emerging cultural infrastructure development opportunities across the city. This work focuses on ensuring sector-informed input is considered in broader planning processes by advocating for clear, consistent data collection and evaluation measures to be embedded throughout. The goal is to build a practical evidence base that helps the sector better understand the logistics and feasibility of opening and sustaining arts-led spaces, including what is realistically achievable for smaller organizations and what conditions support long-term sustainability in independently run arts spaces. This stream of work supports a longer-term horizon goal of positioning the arts sector to be ready to engage with, respond to, and help shape major civic cultural infrastructure as these opportunities emerge across the city. Research, Advocacy & Planning The State of the Arts Map is an evolving research tool designed to strengthen Ottawa’s arts ecosystem by making its assets, resources, and opportunities more visible and connected. The map will identify and document creative infrastructure across the city, like studio spaces, learning environments, and community hubs, while capturing key information about their features, uses, and the resources that flow through them. By providing a clearer picture of what already exists and where gaps remain, the project helps break down silos, foster collaboration, and improve access to spaces and resources. The result is a more connected, informed, and resilient arts community, better equipped to support growth, advocacy, and long-term sector development. A collaboration with Memetic Media and Carleton Immersive Media Studio (CIMS) Lab. State of the Arts Map Learning Cohort Launching in fall 2026, this Learning Cohort supports people who are working toward creating physical arts and culture spaces. Through mentorship, resources, and peer learning, participants will receive practical support as they take the next steps toward bringing their vision to life. In exchange, participants will contribute to a shared learning process by documenting key aspects of their journey, helping capture what it actually takes to create and sustain an arts and culture space. Through guided reporting, the cohort will track challenges, costs, timelines, relationships, and decision-making processes involved in developing a space. This information will create valuable knowledge for the sector, helping identify barriers, gaps, and opportunities while strengthening support for future arts and culture space projects. The 300 Sparks Street Pop-Up is made possible through the generous support of Crown Property Management Inc, who recognize the placemaking and engaging power of artists. This summer activation, led by Cre8, provides artists with a platform to showcase their work as well as bringing more creative life to our downtown. This pop-up will also serve as a live feasibility study. By observing how the space is used, including foot traffic, visitor engagement, and operational realities, the project will help build a clearer understanding of what it takes to activate and sustain arts and culture spaces in downtown settings. This dual purpose allows the initiative to both animate the street in the present and generate valuable insight to inform future placemaking and space activations. Sparks Street Storefront A storefront activation on Bank Street will transform vacant commercial space into a public-facing arts venue. Aligned with the ACE District vision the project will increase the visibility of arts and culture while bringing new energy to the street. The initiative benefits landlords by activating vacant spaces, creates opportunities for future tenants, and helps revitalize the downtown core by bringing community engagement and restoring energy, creativity, and foot traffic to one of the city’s main streets. Vacant Storefront activation Arts Ottawa’s Learning Labs are a key part of our commitment to building capacity across the local arts sector. Through professional development opportunities, knowledge sharing, and collaborative learning, the program supports artists and arts organizations in strengthening skills, expanding networks, and responding to evolving community needs. By investing in continuous learning, the Learning Labs help build a more resilient, connected, and sustainable arts ecosystem, enhancing the capacity of individual artists, organizations, and Arts Ottawa alike. Learing Labs Happening now in Shared Ground: About the Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts Action Lab In 2024, Arts Ottawa embarked on a collaborative research project with Third Angle , funded by the Ottawa Community Foundation. This project explored the value and feasibility of a regional Arts Impact Calculator: a tool that helps Ottawa arts organizations measure and communicate their social and economic impact. Together, Arts Ottawa and Stephanie Nadeau from Third Angle identified gaps and opportunities to strengthen local capacity and better communicate the social impact of the creative sectors. Stephanie and Third Angle then synthesized the findings into the Impact Calculator Feasibility Study . VIEW THE IMPACT CALCULATOR FEASIBILITY STUDY HERE PAST EVENTS IN THIS SERIES: Get.Together. December 15, 2025 Read more Strengthening the Case for the Arts March 14, 2026 Read more Decolonizing Evaluation with Dr. Gladys Rowe June 26, 2026 Read more Why Social Impact Evaluation? We know the arts contribute to vibrant, healthy community and a thriving local economy. According to the Ontario Arts Council, Eastern Ontario’s Arts and Culture sector generates $2.7 billion in GDP. Yet still, current tools for measuring social impact lack consistency and accessibility across the sector. Why Measure Impact? Show the value of arts to partners and the community. Attract investment and build support. Advocate for funding and policy change. Through this Action lab, Arts Ottawa aims to address how we can use and build upon the Impact Calculator to capture the individual and collective impact of arts activities in Ottawa. Meet the Action Lab Prototypers MAEVE TAVAKOLI Project WARP projectwarp.ca | @projectwarp_ WARP is a paid learning and mentorship opportunity co-produced and co-facilitated by a consortium of DIY music and arts organizations in the Algonquin-Anishnaabe territory. Our goal is to equip and support early- and mid-career individuals and artist collectives with project development essentials, providing them the resources and tools needed to create safe(r), more accessible, and more sustainable experiences. NAHEEN AHMED BEING Studio www.beingstudio.ca | @beingstudio_ott BEING Studio is a Non-profit that provides accessible arts programs both online and in-studio for adults with developmental disabilities. I hope to learn how to assess impact of services and events for general public in order to secure grants that can help maintain the Studio's mission to support people with disabilities. RAE LANDRIAU Create Change Collective createchangecollective.weebly.com | @createchangecollective Create Change Collective is a community-based organization focused on environmental education using art. The aim of our work is to engage community in outdoor education and empower them to take climate action. Our goals in the Action Lab are to (1) develop more comprehensive methods to assess the impact of our work, going beyond standard quantitative data collection and (2) exploring practical frameworks for decolonizing evaluation. EMEL TABAKU Civic Imagination Lab info2047785.wixsite.com/imagination-lab | @civicimaginationlab As co-founder of Civic Imagination Lab, I help create spaces where people come together to imagine and build more just, joyful, and regenerative futures. Through creative workshops, storytelling, and collaborative dialogue, our work supports youth, artists, and community members to strengthen policy literacy, shape public conversations, and envision bold new systems from the ground up. CANDIDE UYANZE www.candide.xyz | @ candide.xyZ My name is Candide, and I'm a Creative Technologist working at the intersections of digital media, access, storytelling, and open source software. As a past WARP participant, I organized a hybrid video editing workshop series for local BIPOC artists, designers, and creatives. As an emerging event organizer, I'm eager to learn more about the tools and emerging frameworks for social impact evaluation. I also want to explore alternative, anti-colonial, and accessible approaches to the field. BLUE PETTIES Queer Arts & Culture Network @queerartsandculture The Queer Arts and Culture Network (QACN) is a community-based, by and for Queer Art Organization that serves Queer and gender-diverse artists and creators in Ottawa. QACN is dedicated to empowering creators, reimagining systems, and co-creating communities of care. We are looking to build our capacity in the areas of impact evaluation, community-based storytelling, and sustainability. MIRIAM FARAJA Integration 101 Hub integration101hub.org | @the101hub We are a team working at the intersection of art, technology, and social justice. Through visual storytelling, photography, and participatory projects, we explore memory, integration, resilience, and power within marginalized communities. Through Integration 101 Hub, we create artistic and technological programs that help youth and adults share their stories, using art as a tool for expression, healing, and connection. Our work centers lived experience and aims to foster meaningful dialogue, strengthen communities, and contribute to lasting social change. EMILY RAMSAY & MERAL TAN Digital Arts Resource Centre digitalartsresourcecentre.ca | @ digitalartsresourcecentre We are a media arts organization that supports artists and creators at every stage of the creative process, with a focus on community, collaboration, and accessibility. We also work to amplify the voices of grassroots and equity-deserving organizations, helping ensure their stories and contributions are recognized within the broader cultural landscape. By participating in this lab, we hope to strengthen our ability to document and communicate the social impact of grassroots arts initiatives, and to develop tools that help highlight the cultural and community value of this work. Meet our Action Lab Advisors These advisors will support the Action Lab as mentors to contribute expertise, findings, and resources from their work in research, evaluation, or practical tools. Robin Sokoloski From Mass Culture Robin Sokoloski (she/her) is a dedicated arts and culture professional based in Tkaronto/Toronto with over two decades of experience in the field. Currently serving as the Director of Research and Programming at Mass Culture, she collaborates with academics, funders, and arts practitioners to mobilize the creation, amplification, and community-informed research that supports the arts sector’s growth and sustainability. At Mass Culture, Robin has spent the last three years project managing Research in Residence: Arts’ Civic Impact, a national research initiative that led to the development of three qualitative arts impact frameworks. These tools help arts organizations better understand their civic impact through qualitative indicators. She also leads Mass Culture’s Evaluative Thinking Initiative, which supports a culture of reflection and continuous learning across the arts sector, and stewards the DNA: Data Narratives for the Arts program, which integrates data practices into the daily work of arts organizations through training, tools, and collaborative learning. Robin currently serves on the Board of the Toronto Arts Council and as a member of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Centre for Free Expression’s Steering Committee. She has recently taught a course on Art Policy, Equity, and Activism for Centennial College’s Arts Management program, and developed and taught a course on Cultural Entrepreneurship for MacEwan University’s Arts and Cultural Management program. Shanice Bernicky From Mass Culture Shanice Bernicky (she/her, elle) is a media maker and PhD student at Carleton University’s School of Journalism & Communication. She completed a Master’s research-creation thesis in Media Studies at Concordia University, as a non-linear documentary exploring themes of domestic violence, heritage, and multi-racial identity from the axis point of natural Black hair. As a freelance video editor, she has worked on a myriad of projects on rich topics such as Indigenous laws and practices outside the settler-Canadian legal framework, feminist commentary on science and technology studies, and environmental issues connecting the East and the West. At Carleton, Shanice researches equity practices in the settler-Canadian public arts institutions with the continued support of Mass Culture. When she’s not working, she can be found knitting or with her hands in earth. Natasha Qureshi From Sympl Solutions Natasha Qureshi is the Founder and Principal of Sympl Solutions, a Toronto-based consultancy that bridges strategy, finance, and data for the arts and nonprofit sectors. She is also the Co-Creator of ArtMetrica, a platform helping arts and culture organizations measure and communicate their impact through intuitive dashboards and shared data frameworks. A Fulbright Scholar with a background in Computer Science and an MBA from Cornell University, Natasha combines technical and strategic expertise to help the arts and culture sector tell its stories through data, strengthen its value to communities, and shape a more sustainable and equitable creative ecosystem. Action Lab Goals and Outcomes The Action Lab will strengthen conversations, shape practical outcomes, and build approaches that benefit the entire arts community. We aim to: Develop skills to process, articulate, and report qualitative and quantitative data   Build confidence in tracking and implementing impact indicators   Address roadblocks like HR capacity or skill gaps in evaluation   Leverage impact-evaluation skills for fundraising and advocacy   Engage with national and regional networks, aligning work with other impact-indexes, like the United Nation’s 16 Sustainable Development Goals During the introductory session to our Arts Impact Evaluation Action Lab on December 15th, 2025, Meral Tan, one of our CAMs, joined to observe the session and share their experience and key takeaways as an Arts Correspondent. Read the article here. LEARN MORE ABOUT ARTS OTTAWA'S ACTION LABS

Community Forums focusing on real decisions, collective challenges, and practical next steps across economic, social, and physical infrastructure. Photo: Brooklyn Marok Arts Ottawa's first Community Forum: Turning Priorities into Action took place April 23rd, you can read about the outcomes HERE. WHAT'S NEXT: The conversations and priorities identified through the first session of the Community Forum are only the beginning. The next phase is about turning shared ideas into coordinated action across Ottawa’s arts sector. Complete the Community Survey If you participated in the Forum — or want to contribute to the ongoing conversation — we encourage you to complete the Arts Ottawa Community Input Survey. This survey asks: what do you need to play your part, and what campaign ideas do you suggest? Your responses will help identify the supports, partnerships, and collective actions needed to strengthen Ottawa’s arts sector and shape advocacy and organizing efforts. TAKE THE SURVEY Attend the AGM Each year, Arts Ottawa hosts its Annual General Meeting (AGM) — a yearly gathering of members, community, and other invested parties. At the AGM, Arts Ottawa presents its financials, annual report, and organizational updates, while invested parties have the opportunity to vote on issues at hand. This year’s AGM is also an opportunity to continue the conversations sparked through the Forum, hear how outcomes will inform future work, and stay engaged in shaping the direction of Ottawa’s arts community. REGISTER SAVE THE DATE: May 27, 2026 – Follow-up Community Forum where we will build on the first forum, share key outcomes, and outline next steps in unifying our voice ahead of the upcoming election. About Arts Ottawa's Community Forums: Arts Ottawa Community Forums are facilitated working sessions where artists, cultural workers, and community members come together to shape shared priorities for Ottawa’s arts sector. We focus on collective challenges and practical next steps across economic, social, and physical infrastructure. All the background and insights can be found here . The purpose of these sessions is to: share where the sector is going test priorities and assumptions co-create next steps across economic, social, and physical infrastructure create clear feedback loops into decision-making What Makes an Arts Ottawa Forum Different? Designed, not open mic Participation is structured around real questions Arts Ottawa is actively working on. Co-creation, not consultation Participants help shape priorities, not just react to them. Visible outcomes Each Forum produces documented insights, decisions, and next steps. Repeatable system Forums are part of an annual cycle, not standalone events. For our CAMs As part of your role as a Community Advisory Member, and AO commitments to co-creation and community-led initiatives, we invite CAMs to contribute to the design of the Community Forums. The questions in the survey below will support how the Forum is delivered, and how CAM participation is being structured. You can become a CAM her e. Fill out the survey

Short description Something exciting is coming to Sparks Street! Learn about the Pop-up

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Land Acknowledgment We acknowledge that our offices are on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. Today, many Indigenous communities continue to be denied the opportunity and resources to make and experience their traditional art on this land. We pledge to make justice and reconciliation a priority through our work by amplifying Indigenous voices and their experiences. Arts Ottawa is committed to meaningful reconciliation, not only in words, but in actions. We are dedicated to amplifying Indigenous voices within Ottawa’s arts and culture sector, creating space for Indigenous artists and communities to lead, shape, and define the work we do together. We acknowledge that this commitment requires ongoing learning, deep listening, trust-building and accountability to the communities whose stewardship of this land we honour. Learn more about whose land you're on Learn more about the Chiefs of Ontario Learn more about the Anishinabek Nation The Indigenous People of the Ottawa Valley are Algonquin By Aimee Bailey, Algonquin Citizen Read the article here Who We Are Arts Ottawa was established through the 2025 merger of the Ottawa Arts Council (est. 1982) and Arts Network Ottawa (est. 1980)—two organizations that individually shaped the city’s cultural landscape for decades. Together, as Arts Ottawa, we carry forward a combined legacy of over 80 years of service to artists, arts workers, and arts organizations across the region. Arts Ottawa operates from a foundational belief: that the arts are not a luxury or a cultural add-on, but a form of civic infrastructure, as essential to a functioning, vibrant city as transit, housing, or public green space has been. Our theory of change holds that when artists and arts organizations are well-resourced, well-connected, and well-represented in civic decision-making, the entire city benefits through stronger communities, a more resilient economy, and a more inclusive public life. LEARN MORE ABOUT ARTS OTTAWA 2025 Impact Overview COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 796 total participants across 32 labs, events, meetups, and collaborative sessions. 31 sector leaders, experts, and knowledge holders contributed as speakers and facilitators. 27 volunteers supported program delivery and community activities. Total Audience & Engagement Reach (2025) DIGITAL REACH & COMMUNITY GROWTH 6,219 Social Media Followers 336 Members 316,112 Social Media Views 2,684 Email Subscribers 125 Artist Talk Subscribers 14,862 Website Views Total Audience & Engagement Reach (2025) DIGITAL REACH & COMMUNITY GROWTH 316,112 Social media views 6,219 Social media followers 2,684 Email subscribers 336 Members (CAMs) 125 Artist Talk subscribers 14,862 Website views INVESTMENT IN ARTISTS & CREATIVE PRACTICE Total Financial Distribution to Artists: $201,163 total distributed across programs and supports ÁjgqÎ|QWERTYqwerty CLICK HERE! CLICK HERE! Funding & Support Breakdown ARTicipate Project Grants and Shenkman Arts Centre Resident Arts Partners Artist in Residence in Government (AIRG) Program Photography/Videography Production Arts Correspondents & Writing Contributions Arts Ottawa Awards Performances and Production Social Impact Evaluation Prototypers Artist and Community Member Stipends Instagram Artist Takeovers Speakers and Facilitators 12 Shared Ground Advisors and Leaders 33 Arts Ottawa Awards CAM Advisory Group 11 Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts Advisors and Leaders 36 Community Consultation Session Participants LEADERSHIP CIRCLE & COMMUNITY ADVISORS Total Leadership Circle Participation: 92 Advocacy for Systems Change Community Voices Our Work In 2025, Arts Ottawa organized its programs and initiatives around four interconnected pillars, each reinforcing the others in service of a single goal: a stronger, more equitable arts sector in Ottawa. The work Arts Ottawa delivered in 2025 can be mapped across six core areas of focus: Building Community Power Learning and Knowledge Sharing Arts as Civic Infrastructure Recognition and Celebration Our Work In 2025, Arts Ottawa organized its programs and initiatives around three interconnected pillars, Physical, Economic, and Knowledge Infrastructure, each reinforcing the others in service of a single goal: a stronger, more equitable arts sector in Ottawa. The work Arts Ottawa delivered in 2025 can be mapped across six areas of focus in relation to these pillars: Building Community Power, Learning and Knowledge Sharing, Arts as Civic Infrastructure, Recognition and Celebration, Community Voices, and Advocacy for Systems Change. BUILDING COMMUNITY POWER Through a series of Learning Labs and Co-Creation Labs held between January and April, we invited sector leaders, artists, arts workers, and community members to help us prototype what a truly community-driven organization could look like. The process was iterative, at times messy, and deeply generative. LEARN MORE ABOUT ARTS OTTAWA’S LEARNING AND CO-CREATION LABS EXPLORE WHAT WE LEARNED By July, we had arrived at a governance structure that reflects the genuine priorities and values of the people it serves. The result is a circle-based leadership model built around three interlocking components: Co-Leadership Circles, Community Advisory Members and Action Labs. Hear what the community had to say ARTS OTTAWA’S SHARED GOVERNANCE MODEL CO-LEADERSHIP CIRCLES COMMUNITY ADVISORY MEMBERS ACTION LABS ARTS OTTAWA AS A LEARNING ORGANIZATION A central conviction of Arts Ottawa’s work is that the expertise needed to strengthen Ottawa’s arts sector already exists within the community, and that our role is to convene it. In 2025, our Learning Labs series gave form to that conviction. Across 5 sessions spanning governance models, advocacy strategies, artist leadership, trust-building, and cross-sector collaboration, the Learning Labs brought together 142 sector professionals and community members to learn from one another. Watch the Learning Lab and Co Creation Lab Videos See the full playlist September saw the launch of one of Arts Ottawa’s most ambitious initiatives: the Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts Action Lab. Developed in direct response to a challenge surfaced repeatedly in community conversations (the difficulty of measuring and articulating the value of artistic work) LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WORK AROUND SOCIAL IMPACT IN THE ARTS ARTS AS CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE If there is a single issue that defined Arts Ottawa’s first year of advocacy, it is space . Access to affordable, accessible, and stable space is the single largest constraint facing Ottawa’s arts community, and in 2025, Arts Ottawa stepped forward to lead a sector-wide response. Shared Ground, our first Action Lab dedicated to cultural space, launched in June with a focus on reimagining vacant and underused spaces in downtown Ottawa as vibrant cultural hubs. Conversations continued throughout the year, generating new models and new coalitions through events including the (Un)Common Grounds Community Living Rooms. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHARED GROUND INITIATIVE JUNE 25TH EVENT REPORT AND KEY FINDINGS (UN)COMMON GROUNDS EVENT REPORT AND KEY FINDINGS The Artist in Residence in Government (AIRG) program represented another dimension of Arts Ottawa’s civic engagement, embedding an artist within a City of Ottawa department to apply creative practice to a concrete civic challenge. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE IN GOVERNEMENT PROGRAM VIEW OLIVIA ONUK'S WEBSITE OLIVIA'S CLOSING STATEMENT PROJECT - MAPPING JOY VIEW JORDAN DANGER'S WEBSITE Recognition, Celebration & Sector Visibility In its inaugural merged year, Arts Ottawa’s Awards program was reimagined through a 28-member Community Advisory Group, which led a process to rethink recognition and centering accessibility, inclusion, and sector representation. Launched in November, the refreshed awards reflect the diversity of Ottawa’s arts community. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ARTS OTTAWA AWARDS The ARTicipate Project Grants program continued to provide direct support to artists and arts organizations, distributing $ 29,200 across 10 grants in 2025. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ARTICIPATE ENDOWMENT FUND STAY UP TO DATE WITH ARTICIPATE PROJECTS ON INSTAGRAM The Artist Takeover series showcased individual artists across Arts Ottawa’s digital platforms, offering insight into creative practice and reaching a wide online audience. 4 artists participated in 2025, collectively reaching a social media audience of 17,598. The Giving Circle launched as a new donor engagement model, inviting supporters to help guide funding decisions and strengthening the connection between donors and the community while supporting a more sustainable funding approach. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GIVING CIRCLE Community Voices The most meaningful measure of Arts Ottawa’s impact is the experience of the community we serve. Here, in their own words, are the people who make this work matter. “These shared conversations are an important reminder of the collective strength of our creative community and the value of coming together to shape the future of the arts.” 
- Jennifer Prevost What stood out most was the energy in the room — ideas shared, frameworks discussed, and stories brought forward [...] a powerful reminder that governance isn't just about policy—it's about people, passion, and purpose.”
 - Zoha Khalid Advocacy & Systems Change In 2025, Arts Ottawa advanced a focused advocacy agenda, participating in and contributing to some of the most consequential civic conversations shaping Ottawa's cultural future. Through Shared Ground, Arts Ottawa led a community-driven response to one of the sector's most pressing challenges: access to affordable and stable cultural space. Arts Ottawa also joined the City of Ottawa’ Nightlife Council, bringing an arts and culture lens to conversations about Ottawa's evening economy and the conditions that allow creative communities to thrive. Through years of sustained advocacy, Arts Ottawa helped lay the groundwork for the City of Ottawa's upcoming Culture Plan, ensuring that the priorities of artists, arts workers, and arts organizations are embedded in the policy framework. And through formal City Council Delegations, we ensured that the arts sector's perspective was heard directly by elected decision-makers at critical moments in the city's planning and budgeting processes. These initiatives reflect an organization that is actively shaping the civic decisions that matter most to the community it serves. Looking Ahead: 2026 Priorities The foundation we built in 2025 exists to be built upon. As we look toward 2026, Arts Ottawa is focused on deepening the impact of our inaugural year while expanding our reach and influence across Ottawa’s arts and culture sector. The goal is a sector that is better equipped to measure, articulate, and advocate for its own value. Stay Connected and follow along: info@artsottawa.ca Vision: Arts Ottawa is accountable to the community and to the public trust. The following summary reflects the organization’s financial activity in 2025, highlighting the sources of support that made our work possible and the areas where those resources were invested. These figures reflect Arts Ottawa’s commitment to directing the majority of its resources toward programs and community impact. Financial Summary THANK YOU Arts Ottawa’s work in 2025 was made possible by the generosity, partnership, and dedication of a remarkable community of funders, donors, board members, staff, members, volunteers, and partners. We are grateful to each of them. Our Community Advisory Members Your lived experience and sector expertise shaped every program, priority, and decision Arts Ottawa made in 2025. BECOME A MEMBER Our Funders Your investment made it possible to build a unified, community-driven organization with the capacity to advocate, convene, and lead on behalf of Ottawa's entire arts sector. SEE MORE Giving Circle Members & Individual Donors By investing directly in Ottawa's arts community and participating in the decisions about where that investment goes, you helped us model a new kind of relationship between donors and the sector they support. DONATE NOW Our Board of Directors Your governance leadership through a year of significant organizational transformation provided the stability and strategic direction that made everything else possible. LEARN MORE Staff Team You built Arts Ottawa from the ground up in a single year: the programs, the relationships, the governance structures, and the community trust that now define this organization. LEARN MORE Key Partners & Collaborators Your willingness to show up at the table, in the room, and in the work gave Arts Ottawa's programs the depth, credibility, and reach that no single organization could achieve alone. SEE MORE Our Community Advisory Members Your lived experience and sector expertise shaped every program, priority, and decision Arts Ottawa made in 2025. Our Funders Your investment made it possible to build a unified, community-driven organization with the capacity to advocate, convene, and lead on behalf of Ottawa's entire arts sector. Giving Circle Members & Individual Donors By investing directly in Ottawa's arts community and participating in the decisions about where that investment goes, you helped us model a new kind of relationship between donors and the sector they support. Board of Directors Your governance leadership through a year of significant organizational transformation provided the stability and strategic direction that made everything else possible. Staff Team You built Arts Ottawa from the ground up in a single year: the programs, the relationships, the governance structures, and the community trust that now define this organization. Key Partners & Collaborators Your willingness to show up at the table, in the room, and in the work gave Arts Ottawa's programs the depth, credibility, and reach that no single organization could achieve alone.

Arts community updates we're keeping an eye on On Our Radar Arts Ottawa will keep our community posted on outcomes from the proposed Cultural Funding Framework and Policy Report once presented to the City Council in February 2025. A larger-scale public launch for the new Municipal Culture Plan will occur in the new year. Arts Ottawa will share details once dates and times are confirmed. The City of Ottawa (Economic Development) is working with Bloomberg Associates on the creation of a framework for an Arts, Culture and Entertainment District in downtown Ottawa. This is a key action item in A Living Capital: Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda , led by the Ottawa Board of Trade in partnership with several key stakeholders, including the City of Ottawa, and developed in collaboration with the Canadian Urban Institute. Arts Ottawa will keep the community posted on the development of the framework in 2025. 1010 Somerset Complex , new Barrhaven Civic Complex, the Findlay Creek Recreation Centre planning, and the Confederation Heights project. Should other files be on our radar? Let us know!

Volunteer Get involved with the arts community through Arts Ottawa. Enjoy meeting other arts-lovers while giving back to your community. Volunteer opportunities range in time commitment and level of skills and experience required. Photo: Quest Want to register as a volunteer with Arts Ottawa? Fill out the form below: Volunteer Intake Form If you have any questions around volunteering, please email us at info@artsottawa.ca Please note that all volunteers must review and abide by our Volunteer Handbook . The Volunteer Hub Registered volunteers can access the Volunteer Hub Visit the Volunteer Hub If you have difficulty accessing the volunteer hub please contact info@artsottawa.ca Shaping the Volunteer Experience Together At Arts Ottawa, volunteers are at the heart of our work, from helping with events to shaping how we make decisions. But we know that volunteering isn’t always easy or accessible. That’s why we invited community members to join us in a co-creation session to map out what the volunteer experience should feel like, from the first time someone hears about us to when they move on to other things. Together, we looked at the full volunteer journey across five stages: Attract → Onboard → Engage → Grow → Exit What We Heard: A Volunteer Journey That Feels Welcoming, Clear, and Meaningful Attract People are drawn to Arts Ottawa when they feel they belong and when the purpose of the work is clear. But barriers like confusing language (“art speak”), lack of financial support, or not seeing themselves represented can make it harder to say yes. Onboard Volunteers want to feel seen and supported from the start. They asked for buddy systems, clear training, and welcome kits. When onboarding is unclear or inconsistent, it creates stress. Engage The key to keeping volunteers involved is feeling appreciated and connected. Good communication, flexible roles, and small gestures like food or thank-you messages go a long way. When roles are unclear or people feel left out, they start to disconnect. Grow Many volunteers want to build new skills or take on more responsibility. But we heard that there’s often no clear path forward. Mentorship, learning opportunities, and a way to track growth would help people stay longer and feel proud of their work. Exit When volunteers leave, they want closure. They suggested things like exit interviews, reference letters, and the chance to stay connected as mentors or alumni. Without this, volunteers leave without being thanked or without a way to return. What’s Next: How We’re Responding We’ve taken all this feedback to heart. Here’s how we’re starting to make changes in ways that work for our small team and help build long-term support for volunteers. 1. Laying the Groundwork for a Volunteer Hub As we grow, we plan to create a simple online space with everything in one place: open roles, training info, FAQs, and ways to get involved. When: Fall 2025 How It Helps: Makes it easier for people to get involved and stay involved at their own pace 2. Clear Role Snapshots We’re writing short and easy-to-read descriptions for all our main volunteer roles. These will explain what’s involved, how to get started, and any skills you can build along the way. When: Posted online by Fall of 2025 How It Helps: Makes it easier for people to find a role that fits them and understand what they’ll gain from the experience 3. Ongoing Recognition Dedicated monthly shoutouts to volunteers on social media channels showing our appreciation more often. We’ll also build a special recognition moment once a year at an event. When: January 2026 How It Helps: Keeps volunteers feeling valued, seen, and connected to the bigger picture 4. Quarterly Volunteer Meetups We’ll host low-key gatherings (online or in-person) every few months to say thank you, share updates, and stay connected. Volunteers can help plan or host. When: First session in March 2026 How It Helps: Builds relationships and makes space for feedback and celebration 5. A Better Welcome for Every Volunteer We’re creating a simple welcome sheet and matching each new volunteer with a contact person. This ensures you know what to expect and who to turn to for help, whether you're joining a short-term event or helping shape our programs. When: Starting Summer 2026 How It Helps: Reduces confusion and supports a stronger sense of belonging from Day 1 6. Exit and Return Pathways We’ll invite volunteers who are stepping back to fill out a short exit form. It’s a chance to reflect on what worked, what could improve, and whether they’d like to return or mentor in the future. When: Piloting in 2026 How It Helps: Builds long-term relationships and helps us learn from every volunteer experience We’re Building With You This roadmap is a starting point, and we’ll keep shaping it with your input. We’re working with limited staff and resources, so each change will be rolled out gradually. But the goal is clear: a volunteer experience that is welcoming, flexible, and rooted in community care. Want to get involved or offer feedback? Email Joni Hamlin at joni@artsottawa.ca Looking for other volunteer opportunities in Ottawa? Check out Volunteer Ottawa & Ottawa Festival Network

Stay informed and inspired with the latest arts industry news and opportunities for artists in Ottawa. Your go-to resource for local arts community updates. Industry News & Opportunities Find arts opportunities including calls to artists, auditions, learning, funding, residencies, items for sale and so much more! News Item Placeholder News Item Description Read the Full Story Opportunities at the OAG Check out the Ottawa Art Gallery for current job openings and opportunities. View Opportunities Coming Soon! Check back soon for arts industry news and opportunities. submit industry news Do you have Ottawa-based arts news or an opportunity you would like to share? Contact us to have your opportunity featured on this page. Contact Us

Arts Ottawa Governance Model We’ve reimagined governance at Arts Ottawa, centering collaboration, transparency, and community input in everything we do.  Photo: Quest 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:  Community Advisory Members (CAM)   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. Core Leadership Circle (CLC)   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. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLC AND ACTION LABS HERE. Board of Directors   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 2024 : Co-Creation Workshops → Read the report here January 2025 : Transforming together : S ystemic 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: