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- Programs and Services | Arts Ottawa
Arts Ottawa’s programming and services are designed to address critical gaps and challenges in Ottawa’s arts landscape. Explore what we offer here. Learning and Professional development Join the Arts Ottawa team for casual, in-person monthly drop-ins. Open Office Hours View Program Is your artistic practice or arts career ready for the next step? Whether you’re an artist, administrator, or cultural worker, the Arts Ottawa Mentorship Program (AOMP) provides guidance, support, and connections to help you grow. Arts Ottawa Mentorship Program View Program Community-Engaged Arts Calling in Leadership on Cultural Spaces and Reimagining Downtown Through Arts and Culture Shared Ground View Event 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 View Program Takeover our Instagram and showcase your work! Artist Takeovers View Program Funding, recognition and showcasing opportunities Community-Informed Redesign Arts Ottawa Awards View Program ARTicipate Project Grants View Program Programs & Services Arts Ottawa’s programming and services are designed to address critical gaps and challenges in Ottawa’s arts landscape. Through a lens of mentorship and peer-support, we provide a range of opportunities to engage, build careers, expand networks, and access funding. At the forefront, we are committed to platforming the voices of artists in our community to inform and shape our programs and services - working together to achieve a vibrant and sustainable sector.
- Home | Arts Ottawa
Driving collective action to address the needs and priorities of Ottawa's arts sector. 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 What’s Happening Now Join us for our Open Office Hours on September 25 NEW! Artist Talk Group Forum - Sign up now! Arts Awards Redesign Volunteer with Arts Ottawa Giving Circle: Help Shape the Future of the Arts in Ottawa Become a Community Advisory Member! Introducing Arts Ottawa’s Shared Leadership Model Learn More Co-Leadership Circle Mobilizes action, connects sectors, and guides collective vision. Learn More Advisory circle Amplifies arts voices and connects communities to action. Take Action Action Labs and the Core Leadership Circle Tackle urgent issues, driving sector-wide change Become a Member Membership Connecting communities to action and amplifying arts voices. Volunteer Volunteer Connect with local artists and give back to your community Meet the Board Governance Board ensures accountability and aligns collective action with strategic goals Donate Today Support Arts Ottawa Your contributions fuel the growth of our local arts sector Become a Sponsor 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. Get Involved Co-Creating Arts Ottawa Timeline January Introduction of Co-Creating Arts Ottawa learn more First Open Office Hours: Welcome to Arts Ottawa learn more February Learning Lab no.1: Governance Models and Advocacy in the Arts learn more Open Office Hours: Discussing Arts Awards March Learning Lab no.2 : Artists as Community Leaders learn more Open Office Hours: Discussing Mentorship within the Arts April Learning Lab no. 3: Redefining Volunteerism in Governance learn more Co-Creation Labs: building a governance model learn more May Learning Labs recap videos available online watch now June AGMs held on June 18th Read the annual reports here Shared Ground first event of the initiative held on June 25th Learn more July Unveiling of our new Arts Ottawa Awards Learn more Launch of the Giving Circle Learn more Open Office Hours: Arts Ottawa's Shared Leadership Model Learn more August Updated volunteer pathway and new ways to stay connected Learn more Introduction to Artist Talk: our online community forum Coming soon September - October - November - December - Driving collective action to address the needs and priorities of Ottawa's arts sector. Photo: Curtis Perry Programs & Services Arts Ottawa Awards Community-Informed Redesign Shared Ground Calling in Leadership on Cultural Spaces and Reimagining Downtown Through Arts and Culture Open Office Hours Join the Arts Ottawa team for casual, in-person monthly drop-ins. Explore more programs & servicEs 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
- Arts Ottawa Awards
Community-Informed Redesign Arts Ottawa Awards Community-Informed Redesign Photo: Eric Reid The Arts Ottawa Awards, originally led by the Ottawa Arts Council, have recognized local contributions to the arts for over 35 years. As the Council transitioned to Arts Ottawa, a review and redesign of the program was initiated to align with current sector needs and priorities. Process Overview Between February and June 2025, Arts Ottawa led a multi-phase community engagement process to inform the redesign of the awards: February 28, 2025 – Open Office Hours 13 participants confirmed the awards’ relevance and identified several needs, including post-award support, redefinition of terms like “emerging artist,” multilingual accessibility, and cross-sector inclusion. April 21, 2025 – Community Advisory Circle 26 participants formed a working group to co-lead the redesign process. June 4, 2025 – E-Learning Lab 33 participants took part in a co-learning session with representatives from Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal to examine award models and identify best practices. June 11, 2025 – Co-Creation Workshop 25 participants at Arts Court developed ideas into draft frameworks using MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning) tools. Key priorities included year-round recognition, access to professional development, and inclusive nomination criteria. September 11, 2025 - Arts Ottawa Awards Assessment The Arts Awards Committee met to discuss assessment criteria/rubric for Arts Ottawa Awards application process New Model: Summary of Features The updated Arts Ottawa Awards will now: Recognize five nominees each year Accept nominations from individuals, collectives, volunteer-led organizations, youth, non-arts organizations contributing to the arts, and more Remove distinction between emerging and established artists Focus on demonstrated community impact Each nominee will receive: A cash prize (final amount pending sponsor confirmation) Media kits Increased visibility through Arts Ottawa platforms Year-long recognition Award recipients may also have access to resources (mentorship, space) and professional development opportunities, depending on availability and sponsorship. Key Dates November 2025 – Launch event at Arts Court February 2026 – Awards event where winners are announced at the NAC Sign up for our Arts Ottawa newsletter for the announcement of exact dates Call for Participation Volunteers: Various roles will be available for the event and supporting activities. Contact Joni Hamlin at joni@artsottawa.ca to express your interest. Sponsors: Opportunities include launch event invites and speaking opportunities, media presence, and contribution to in-kind or financial support. Reach out to Nicole Milne at nicole@artsottawa.ca to learn more. For general information, contact info@artsottawa.ca.
- Open Office Hours
Join the Arts Ottawa team for casual, in-person monthly drop-ins. Open Office Hours Join the Arts Ottawa team for casual, in-person monthly drop-ins. Photo: Brooklyn Marok Next Open Office Hours: Thursday, September 25th 3:00 - 4:00pm In person at Happy Goat, 35 Laurel St. Arts Ottawa is hitting the road! Our new Open Office Hours bring us into the community for casual conversations, questions, and ideas. It's an opportunity for us to connect with you and for you to get the inside scoop on upcoming programming. Enjoy a free coffee from Happy Goat! Drop by and say hello. Let’s chat about the arts in Ottawa. About Open Office Hours Open Office Hours are casual, in-person monthly drop-ins where community members can meet Arts Ottawa staff to discuss their concerns, ask questions, and share ideas in an informal, accessible setting. We are partnering with Happy Goat and will be at various locations throughout the city. We hope to see you there. Notice of Open Office Hours will be shared in our e-newsletters and on Arts Ottawa social media channels. Come be a part of the discussion! This service is funded by
- Member Page | Arts Ottawa
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- Join us for our Open Office Hours on September 25
Short description Join us for our Open Office Hours on September 25 Short description
- Advocacy | Arts Ottawa
At Arts Ottawa, we’re dedicated to being a strong voice for the arts in the region, building relationships to increase awareness of their value and strengthening the local arts sector. Advocating for the Arts in the Ottawa Region A thriving arts scene fosters a community where ideas, talents, and cultures are celebrated, and where identities are shared. At Arts Ottawa, we’re dedicated to being a strong voice for the arts in the region, building relationships to increase awareness of their value and strengthening the local arts sector. We actively share information and opportunities with the community so that together, we can shape a vibrant arts scene that everyone can contribute to. As a member, you’re part of this collective voice. Photo: Eric Reid Stay informed The Ottawa Arts Initiative (OAI) Instagram page was created by our team to advocate for the social and economic value of art and culture in Ottawa, providing a platform to amplify the voices of our creative community. Follow Us @ottawaarts.initiative Advocacy Updates Transforming Together: Systemic Change for Community Benefit Report: Arts Impact Calculator City of Ottawa Cultural Plan and Funding Framework Review City of Ottawa: Cultural Funding Framework Review Ottawa Nightlife Council City Budget 2025 On Our Radar Report: Analysis of Cultural Workers in Ontario
- Olivia Onuk: Building a strong collective future in Ottawa
Short description Olivia Onuk: Building a strong collective future in Ottawa Short description
- Shared Ground
Calling in Leadership on Cultural Spaces and Reimagining Downtown Through Arts and Culture Shared Ground Calling in Leadership on Cultural Spaces and Reimagining Downtown Through Arts and Culture Photo by Jeffrey Eisen SHARED GROUND: A Framework for Cultural Co-Design in Downtown Ottawa This first Action Lab is presented by Arts Ottawa in collaboration with ArtsBuild Ontario, Memetic Media, and the Ottawa Art Gallery ACE District Initiative. Now that the event has concluded, a summary report of Shared Ground is available to read and explore the key insights, outcomes, and next steps. READ THE REPORT HERE We’re proud to share a thoughtful and timely article by Kelly Wilhelm , a leading voice in cultural policy and strategy in Canada. We also invite you to read a grounded and insightful piece by Willemijn Bunskoek , who attended Shared Ground and wrote about the experience for Apt613, capturing the energy of the day and the conversations that continue to shape this work. Click here to view the Recap of our Shared Ground event on June 25th here! About the Shared Ground Initiative Downtown Ottawa is on the brink of transformation—and artists, creatives, and cultural leaders have a vital role to play. In response to the call for a downtown that is vibrant, resilient, and inclusive, Arts Ottawa is convening artists, community and business leaders, and creative thinkers to imagine what’s possible when arts and culture are embedded into the fabric of our city. This initiative is part of a broader vision to explore - and take action on - sector readiness for cultural space developments, and reframing underused spaces. This action starts at Place de Ville, a unique former cinema connected to the Lyon LRT station. Key Outcomes Spark conversations on leadership for cultural land use and space creation Sector-readiness insights, identify what supports or services are needed in the short term Engagement of diverse voices in community leadership Test results of replicable arts-forward activation model A draft activation model for 300 Sparks The Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG), engaged by the City of Ottawa, is leading the development of a downtown Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (ACE) District. This year, OAG will create a framework, brand, and implementation strategy for the District. Outlined as a key initiative in A Living Capital: Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda (May 2024), the ACE District aims to revitalize the core by fostering placemaking, cultural initiatives, and strengthening Ottawa’s creative economy. Shared Ground will help guide and inform this work. Shared Ground in the media: Newly formed Arts Ottawa wants artists to be involved in office conversion discussions, Ottawa Business Journal About June 25th On June 25th, Arts Ottawa will host the first event under our new initiative, Shared Ground —a day of learning and collaborative design , where we’ll begin shaping a collective vision for arts sector readiness. Our learning day will be hosted at “Place de ville” —a unique pace connected to the Lyon LRT station. Together, we’ll map, prototype, and model sustainable, arts-forward space activations through community visioning and participatory design. Learnings will inform an upcoming charette focused on transforming vacant urban spaces into cultural assets. This day also launches the Community Leadership Circle, calling -in leadership to contribute to Shared Ground as it identifies strategies and pathways to bridge the gap between artists and revitalization projects. We will explore how we can future-proof arts spaces as places for community gathering, creativity, and collaboration—grounded in cultural co-design, community expertise, and the power of imagination in city-building. About the Presenters from June 25th Kwende Kefentse Memetic Media (he/him) Kwende Kefentse is a creator, researcher, administrator and cultural innovator based in Ottawa. His 20+ year career bridges the worlds of creative practice, the research and development of cultural industries, and civic leadership / city building. Most recently he was the first Executive Director of CKCU-FM, reimagining the station's operations post-pandemic, focusing on technological modernization and community reconnection. In his former position as Cultural Industries Development Officer for the City of Ottawa he led the development of Ottawa's Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Heritage, and Culture (2013-2018) and the Ottawa Music Strategy (2018-2020), among other critical city-wide cultural initiatives. He serves on the Boards of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, Ottawa Film Office, and Carleton University Art Gallery. As DJ Memetic of the TIMEKODE collective his productions have received critical acclaim from international outlets like Vice Thump, Radio Nova, and Wax Poetics. He has been requested as an opening performer for luminaries like Nas and Barack Obama. Kwende has earned a Masters of Research (MRes) from UCL's Bartlett School of Architecture focussed on modelling the spatial dynamics of cultural production in the music industry. In 2025 Kwende is establishing his consultancy Memetic Media, and launching the TIMEKODE CoLABoratory, a dynamic, interdisciplinary project that commemorates 20 years of local nightclub heritage, while charting its future through innovation, collaboration, and community engagement. Alex Glass ArtsBuild Executive Director (she/her) Alex has been with ArtsBuild for over eight years and successfully grown ABO’s programs and partnerships. Alex managed the development of the Accessibility Toolkit for Creative Spaces in Ontario and corresponding six-part webinar series, the Creative Spaces Case Study Series, and the expansion of SpaceFinder across Canada in 11 communities. Bringing 14 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Alex has previously worked with organizations such as the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Talisker Players Chamber Music and Canterbury Hills Camp & Conference Centre. She has an honors degree in English and Cultural Studies from McMaster University and graduate certificate in Public Relations from Mohawk College. Eva Hellreich ArtsBuild Program Manager (any pronouns) They are passionate about providing under-served communities access to resources, knowledge and networks that enable and sustain self-empowerment through creative leadership and community building. They bring over 7 years of arts and funding administrative experience spanning non-profit, community arts, festivals and government funders, as well as experience as a youth and adult educator. In addition to ample experience with program development and service delivery, they served a 3 year term as a working Board member of Mayworks Festival of Working People and are currently serving a 3 year term on the Toronto Arts Council’s Creative Communities Committee. Eva has a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Immigration and Settlement from Toronto Metropolitan University, where they conducted primary research for their Major Research Paper on the experiences of newcomer artists and art as a tool for civic engagement. Eva is enthusiastic about sharing their passion for project management, collaboration and creative problem solving with community engaged artists and organizations through skill and resource exchanges, collaboration, and peer mentorship. Eva believes in art for art’s sake and challenges the influence of capitalism on determining the value of a creative practice or production. Their personal practice includes photography, textile art, and creative writing. ArtsBuild Ontario (ABO) is a provincial arts service organization that provides small and medium-sized organizations with tools, training, and advice to successfully manage physical and digital creative spaces. ABO works to reimagine the future of creative spaces through dedicated research projects and an engaged network of supportive partners. If you are interested in getting involved with this initiative or exploring partnership opportunities, please reach out to Cassandra Olsthoorn at cassandra@artsottawa.ca Thank you to our Sponsors and Partners
- Arts Ottawa Mentorship Program
Is your artistic practice or arts career ready for the next step? Whether you’re an artist, administrator, or cultural worker, the Arts Ottawa Mentorship Program (AOMP) provides guidance, support, and connections to help you grow. Arts Ottawa Mentorship Program Is your artistic practice or arts career ready for the next step? Whether you’re an artist, administrator, or cultural worker, the Arts Ottawa Mentorship Program (AOMP) provides guidance, support, and connections to help you grow. Photo: Deena Alsaweer ABOUT THE ARTS OTTAWA MENTORSHIP PROGRAM The Arts Ottawa Mentorship Program (AOMP) connects artists and cultural workers across Ottawa to develop skills, share knowledge, and build meaningful networks. Participants are paired with experienced mentors to address professional goals, overcome roadblocks, and gain practical insights. This year, AOMP will run two focused mentorship cohorts : Social Impact Measurement and Evaluation (onboarding late 2025) Creative Spaces Mentorship (onboarding early 2026) Each cohort includes tailored mentorship (either through mentor-hubs or 1-on-1 support), workshops, and resources designed to support the cohort’s theme and mentee-driven goals. More about each Cohort below. WAYS TO GET INVOLVED Apply as a Mentee Mentees work with experienced professionals to grow their practice or advance their career. Benefits include: $ 500 in stipends and financial support for costs associated with mentorship activities Free access to workshops and resources, including the AOMP online bulletin board and forum. Engagement with a diverse cohort of peers for learning and networking Apply as a Mentor Experienced artists, administrators, and arts leaders can guide emerging professionals. Benefits include: Contributing to the growth of the next generation of arts professionals $ 500 in financial compensation for participation Free access to workshops and resources, including the AOMP online bulletin board and forum. Connection with a diverse cohort of participants for sharing and networking MENTORSHIP COHORTS Cohort 1: Social Impact Measurement and Evaluation (onboarding late 2025) Participants at all career stages engage in reciprocal learning around social impact evaluation, community engagement, and storytelling practices across disciplines. Supported by: Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing, Toronto Arts Council, Robin Sokoloski (Mass Culture ) , Natasha Qureshi (SYMPL Solutions). Goals & Outcomes: 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 Timeline: October 14: Program launch at Ottawa Art Gallery November: Application assessments December: Notifications and onboarding January 2026: Mentorships begin Cohort 2: Creative Spaces Mentorship (onboarding early 2026) Focused on developing, managing, or revitalizing creative spaces, this cohort explores social-purpose real estate principles, cultural space management, and community readiness. Supported by: Arts Build Ontario, Carleton University’s CIMS Lab, and Ottawa-based arts and culture leaders. Goals & Outcomes: Understand diverse cultural space management models Learn sectoral trends in cultural space development and land adaptation Gain confidence in civic engagement, land-use planning, and downtown revitalization projects Contribute to open-source data and geo-spatial mapping projects Collaborate with Cohort 1 on impact evaluation frameworks for cultural spaces Timeline: October: "Get.Together”/Shared Ground Learning Lab event October–December: Promotion and communications for mentorship activities Early 2026: Mentee applications open February–March: Assessment and integration into Shared Ground ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Mentorship participant selection is based on our evaluation rubric. Successful applicants demonstrate: Clear and achievable goals Goals align with mentee’s professional or artistic trajectory or career Demonstrate impact on Ottawa-region arts and culture community OUR FUNDERS AND PARTNERS
- Membership | Arts Ottawa
Membership After listening to hundreds of artists, arts workers, and community members during our merger and co-creation sessions, we have collectively built a new membership model to better serve our community. Photo: Shannon Hawn Arts Ottawa strongly believes in solidarity and supporting our community. We honour our values of inclusivity and accessibility by offering a Pay-What-You-Choose pricing option for individual Community Advisory Members. When you become a member, you will receive access to our membership platform hosted on Member365. Here you can register for Arts Ottawa's upcoming activities and events, apply to programs and be an active part of our governance model. Membership is open to artists, arts workers and the general public. Organizations are also not restricted to being arts organizations. Membership Categories Community Advisory Members (CAM) For artists and cultural workers, individual or organization Sign up for an Individual CAM here Sign up for an organization CAM here More about the CAM If you want to help shape what Arts Ottawa does, through feedback, conversations, working groups, and collaborative decision-making, this is for you. The CAMs ensure that the arts sector voices are heard and have clear pathways to participation and mobilization within the organization. Through this Membership category, you can: Join Co-Creation Sessions and Action Labs Help shape programming and advocacy priorities Be recognized as a core part of our community-engaged governance model Voting rights at the Annual General Meeting Have the opportunity to place the Arts Ottawa CAM logo on your website or social media channels Participate at a pace that works for you There’s no fee to join as a CAM. Instead, we offer a flexible Pay What You Choose (PWYC) model —because we believe everyone should have access to this community, regardless of financial means. You decide how much, if anything, to contribute. For those looking for guidance, suggested membership options include $25, $50, or $100 annually. Organizations are encouraged to contribute 0.1% of their annual operating budget. Supporter For Arts and Culture Champions, individual or organization Sign up for an Individual Supporter Membership here Sign up for an Organization Supporter Membership here More about Supporter Membership Want to champion Arts Ottawa’s work, but not ready to take an active role? You can support us by becoming a Supporter Member. Through this Membership category, you can: Receive behind-the-scenes updates and invitations Cheer us on and help fund our work Are acknowledged publicly for helping us grow Choose your level of support based on what feels right for you. Individuals can contribute $50, $100, or $200 annually —or select a custom amount that aligns with your capacity. For organizations, we recommend an annual contribution of 0.1% of your operating budget . Every dollar goes toward sustaining and strengthening this work. Why Become a Member? Arts Ottawa connects members to advocacy, arts engagement, resources, and local arts communities. We listen to our members to act on behalf of the arts community in Ottawa and offer a space for everyone to get involved. All members have access to our Member365 calendar, where you can post upcoming events and opportunities to share with the Arts Ottawa community. Whether you're new here or have been with us for years— thank you. Your involvement helps shape a stronger, more connected arts community in Ottawa. We’re so glad you’re part of it. If you have any questions around Membership, please contact Joni at joni@artsottawa.ca .
- Co-Creating Arts Ottawa | Arts Ottawa
Co-Creating Arts Ottawa 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: