Meet the Arts Ottawa team Meet the Arts Ottawa Team Alex Maltby Programming & Partnerships Brooklyn Marok Digital Engagement & Design Lead Cassandra Olsthoorn Co-Leadership, Strategy & Community Mobilization Electra Millar Marketing and PR Lead Joni Hamlin Program Operations & Member Relations Nicole Milne Co-Leadership, Operations & Revenue Generation Noel Szabados Content & Impact Documentation Coordinator Advisors Chelsey Fawcett Grant Solutions Canada https://www.artsottawa.ca/grantsolutionscanada Leah Cogan Community Wealth Building Learning Labs https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-cogan-4abbab41/ Kwende Kefentse Shared Ground Initiative https://www.kwendekefentse.com/ Board of Directors Chirag Gehani Financial Steward Emily Ramsay Chairing Member Hanna Nizman Knowledge Steward Jeff Richstone Board Member Justine Stewart Support Chair Patrick Blackman Board Member

Noel Szabados Content & Impact Documentation Coordinator noel@artsottawa.ca Noel (she/her) is based in Ottawa, Ontario, on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation. As the Content & Impact Documentation Coordinator at Arts Ottawa, she supports programming through documentation, communications, and administrative coordination, with a focus on capturing and sharing the impact of local arts initiatives. She has completed four years of her Bachelor of Fine Arts and has presented research on interactivity in computer-based art at the SUNY New Paltz Undergraduate Art History Symposium. Her background as a visual artist informs a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach to her work in arts administration.

Exploring governance, advocacy, and artist-led collaboration to design a Shared Leadership Model. Learning and Co-Creation Labs Exploring governance, advocacy, and artist-led collaboration to design a Shared Leadership Model. Photo: Quest 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: 2026 Learning Lab Series: Community Wealth Building (CWB) CWB Part 1: Watch Online CWB Part 2: Placemaking About Placemaking: The Placemaking Learning Labs form part of Arts Ottawa’s community programming for 2026. The series is Part 2 of the CWB Learning Labs, with a focus on pathways to securing and stewarding cultural spaces and assets for public good. The series will include three (3) public in-person sessions, between October and November, with audio recordings made available after the sessions. Each session will explore a different pathway or opportunity, drawing in experts, activators and live local case studies to animate the discussion and ground it in real and relevant action. The series will also include two (2) leadership circle working meetings to determine next steps for sector readiness and project/initiative activation. The goals for the series: Enhance community understanding of Community Wealth Building and Placemaking approaches for the Arts & Culture sector in Ottawa and connect them with new and established priority areas (Shared Ground, Advocacy, Sector Coordination, Impact Measurement and Asset Mapping). Build relationships between economic development and place-making experts/activators in Ottawa and arts and culture leadership within the city of Ottawa Develop visible leadership capacity within the sector to activate place-making projects and partnerships, including governance, financial literacy and investment readiness, asset management, cooperative and shared ownership models, cultural mapping and data collection, and partnership frameworks. Placemaking Learning Series Schedule: November 9 Shared Governance of Public Cultural Spaces REGISTER November 23 Ecosystem Development for Longer-term Creative Placemaking REGISTER 2027 Innovative Tenancies and Co-ownership Models for Creative Placemaking REGISTRATION COMING SOON About the Community Wealth Building Learning Lab series: This Learning Lab series is part of Arts Ottawa’s community-wide programming for 2026 and supports our ongoing work to strengthen the local arts sector. After months of community input and workshops, Arts Ottawa has identified three key focus areas for building a more sustainable arts sector: economic conditions, spaces, and social impact . The Learning Lab series offers a space for the community to collectively explore the Community Wealth Building model, widely used in other sectors, and consider how it might help address these priorities , strengthen coordination, and support long-term growth in Ottawa’s arts ecosystem. Learn more Who is it for? This learning series is for anyone in the arts community who wants to explore innovative ways to strengthen the sustainability of their work. No expertise in economic development is required. The series is designed to be practical, accessible, and relevant to all areas of practice. We encourage artists and arts and culture workers to be part of the conversation and help identify actionable steps for both the short and long term. What to expect? Each session will be engaging and hands-on with dedicated workshop time for participants to experiment with ideas and apply concepts locally. Following the series, Arts Ottawa will host co-creation labs to collectively determine the next steps toward growth, sustainability, and shared prosperity in our sector, building an economic coordination strategy that reflects the priorities and expertise of the community. More about CWB Community Wealth Building is a people-centered approach to economic development that focuses on building, retaining, and recirculating wealth within local systems and industry by prioritizing local ownership, democratic control, and a more balanced distribution of wealth. It involves using strategies like supporting local cooperatives, social enterprises, and community land trusts, and leveraging the purchasing power of large local institutions to create good jobs and keep resources within the community. Learn more about the model here . CWB 2026 Learning Lab Sessions March 19th An introduction to Community Wealth Building LEARN MORE April 9th Pillar 1: Pluralistic Ownership LEARN MORE April 29th Pillar 2: Locally Rooted Finance LEARN MORE May 13th Pillar 3: Just Use of Land and Property LEARN MORE June 1st Pillar 4 & 5: Progressive Procurement & Fair Work Practices LEARN MORE Watch the 2026 CWB Learning Lab series online: WATCH HERE 2024 - 2025 Arts Ottawa hosted innovative Learning and Co-Creation Labs that brought together interest holders, sector experts, the arts community and staff to explore governance models that center artists, with advocacy, equity, and volunteerism playing pivotal roles in shaping leadership structures. Explore What We Learned Dive into a snapshot of the ideas, collaborations, and insights that emerged from this series of Labs. The report highlights conversations that inspired ideas for more equitable governance, showing how advocacy and shared leadership can better support artists. READ THE REPORT HERE Learning Labs The three Learning Labs we held between February and April served as an introduction to themes such as governance, advocacy, artist leadership, trust-building, and cross-sector collaboration. Participants reimagined traditional governance approaches, explored strategies to strengthen collective advocacy efforts, and heard from policy experts, grassroots organizers, and sector leaders who are reshaping governance and advocacy frameworks. These hands-on sessions bridged sector-wide learning with localized, actionable solutions. Learn more about each Learning Lab LEARNING LAB #1: Governance Models and Advocacy in the Arts Sector In this lab, we explored how shifting political landscapes, rising costs, and systemic inequities are reshaping the arts sector. LEARN MORE •••••••••• LEARNING LAB #2: Artists as Community Leaders This Learning Lab explored the ways in which artists drive systemic change and lead community development to create meaningful change in society. LEARN MORE •••••••••• LEARNING LAB #3: Redefining Volunteerism in Governance In this Lab, we examined the decline in volunteerism and its impact on arts governance, from leadership challenges to increased workloads. LEARN MORE WATCH THE LEARNING LABS ONLINE READ THE SUMMARIES HERE Co-Creation Labs Building on that foundation, the Co-Creation Labs held on April 24 th and 26th invited participants to collaboratively bring those insights to life. Over 4.5-hour interactive sessions, artists, community organizers, and arts advocates co-designed a governance model rooted in inclusive decision-making. Creative tools like café-style speed dating, visual storytelling, and consensus-building helped shape a shared leadership structure for Arts Ottawa. Together, we co-created a Governance Charter grounded in community values—ensuring leadership that is transparent, accountable, and artist-centered. WATCH THE CO-CREATION LAB RECAP These labs were designed not only to imagine new systems but to build them—reflecting the vibrant, diverse, and evolving arts community we serve. This work directly shaped how the Core Leadership Circle (CLC) and  Community Advisory Members (CAM)  were formed, recruited, and are run.

Driving collective action to address the needs and priorities of Ottawa's arts sector. Celebrate with us at The Arts Ottawa Awards Ceremony! Tickets are on sale now Thursday, February 5th, 2026 7:00pm - National Arts Centre (Fourth Stage) Learn more about the Arts Ottawa Awards Buy Tickets Driving collective action to address the needs and priorities of Ottawa's arts sector. Photo: Curtis Perry 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 Announcing the 2026-2027 Artists in Residence in ARTicipate Arts matter this election - learn about our asks for the City Watch the Mayoral Debate on Arts and Culture online Announcing the 2026 ARTicipate Endowment Fund Grant Recipients Shared Ground updates : one year later Community Wealth Building part 2 - Learn more Programs & Services Arts Ottawa Awards The Arts Ottawa Awards celebrate Ottawa-based artists, creatives, educators, businesses, and organizations who help shape a vibrant, connected city. Arts & Culture in Ottawa 2026 The arts don't just enrich cities; they build them. As we head into the municipal election, we're bringing together artists, cultural workers, organizations, and residents to advocate for the investments and policies needed to support a thriving creative sector and a more vibrant city. Shared Ground Calling in Leadership on Cultural Spaces and Reimagining Downtown Through Arts and Culture Explore more programs & servicEs 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. Learn More Test 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 Sponsorship Linking business and the arts in your 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 2026 January Arts Ottawa Awards Ceremony Meet the recipients February AIRG Jordan Danger: Final exhibition on Feb. 26 Learn more March March 14 - Social Impact Evaluation Learning Lab Learn more March 19 - First Lab of the CWB Learning Lab Series Learn more Watch online April April 9 - Second CWB Learning Lab Learn more watch online April 23 - Arts Ottawa's Community Forum Learn more April 29 - Third CWB Learning Lab Learn more watch online Launch of Arts Correspondents Learn more May May 13 - Fourth Lab of the CWB Learning Lab Series Learn more watch online May 27 - AGM Read the 2025 Impact Report Launch of Artist in Residence in ARTicipate Learn more June June 1st - Fifth Lab of the CWB Learning Lab Series Learn more watch online Social Impact Evaluation: Decolonizing Evaluation with Dr. Gladys Rowe on Jun. 26th Learn more June 25 - Shared Ground 1 year update Learn more July Shared Ground : Grand Opening of the 300 Sparks st. pop-up on July 21st Learn more Community Advisory Circle : Shaping the Future of the Arts Ottawa Awards Learn more August Ottawa municipal elections : Community priorities and City objectives Learn more September September 12 - Social Prescribing and Impact in the arts Learn more September 29 - Mayoral Debate - Arts and Culture in Ottawa Learn more October - November - December - 2025 January Introduction of Co-Creating Arts Ottawa learn more First Open Office Hours: Welcome to Arts Ottawa 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 Learn more Introducing Artist Talk: Online community forum Sign up now! September Introducing our new Action Lab: Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts Learn more Arts Awards Co-Design Process Read the report October Shared Ground Learning Lab Learn more Co-Create Mission, Vision and Values statements Community Co-Creation feedback with staff and board Collaborative Strategy Sessions outlining areas of focus for 2026 Learn more November Co-Create Arts Ottawa Report: Governance, Inclusion, and Volunteer Engagement Read the report December Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts Learning Lab :Audited by Meral Tan as an Arts Correspondent Read the report Donate to Arts Ottawa Arts Ottawa seeks to nurture the arts, to let them bloom and spread their roots deep into the cityscape. In so doing, we endeavour to build a city that hums with life, where equity and diversity are not just present, but celebrated. Together we can deliver on our mission to drive collective action in responding to community needs and priorities, fostering a thriving arts sector. Donate to Arts Ottawa Today 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’s programming and services are designed to address critical gaps and challenges in Ottawa’s arts landscape. Explore what we offer here. The Arts Ottawa Awards celebrate Ottawa-based artists, creatives, educators, businesses, and organizations who help shape a vibrant, connected city. Arts Ottawa Awards Learn More The arts don't just enrich cities; they build them. As we head into the municipal election, we're bringing together artists, cultural workers, organizations, and residents to advocate for the investments and policies needed to support a thriving creative sector and a more vibrant city. Arts & Culture in Ottawa 2026 Learn more Calling in Leadership on Cultural Spaces and Reimagining Downtown Through Arts and Culture Shared Ground Learn More 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 Learn More ARTicipate Project Grants Learn More What if we had better ways to calculate the social impact that the arts contribute to local communities?   Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts Learn More Arts Correspondents act as community storytellers, attending Arts Ottawa programs and events to listen, reflect, and share the voices, experiences, and ideas that shape Ottawa’s arts community. Arts Correspondents Learn more Connect with local artists and give back to your community Volunteer Learn more Arts Ottawa is introducing a new role: Artist in Residence in ARTicipate. Artist in Residence in ARTicipate Learn more We’ve reimagined governance at Arts Ottawa, centering collaboration, transparency, and community input in everything we do.  Arts Ottawa Governance Model Learn more Exploring governance, advocacy, and artist-led collaboration to design a Shared Leadership Model. Learning and Co-Creation Labs Learn more Come together to shape shared priorities for Ottawa's arts sector Community Forums Learn more Tackle urgent issues, driving sector-wide change Action Labs and the Core Leadership Circle Learn more 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.

Short description Announcing the 2026-2027 Artists in Residence in ARTicipate

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 Why Arts Spaces Matters in the Future of the ByWard Market | Article by Cassandra Olsthoorn Ottawa Has Culture. What It Doesn’t Have Is a Cultural Economy Strategy | Article by Kwende Kefentse Introducing Arts Ottawa’s Shared Leadership Model Transforming Together: Systemic Change for Community Benefit On Our Radar

Short description Announcing the 2026 ARTicipate Endowment Fund Grant Recipients We’re thrilled to congratulate this year’s four recipients: Mia Ohki
 Martin Vuong Monique Fuller ( Ottawa Black Art Kollective ) Friends of the Print Studio Through the LaLande + Doyle ARTicipate Grant, these artists and arts organizations will bring exciting new exhibitions to the LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space at the Shenkman Arts Centre. We can’t wait to see their work take shape and share it with our community. Congratulations to all four recipients! LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS AND THEIR PROJECTS

Arts Ottawa is introducing a new role: Artist in Residence in ARTicipate. Artist in Residence in ARTicipate Arts Ottawa is introducing a new role: Artist in Residence in ARTicipate. 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: The Artist in Residence in ARTicipate (AIRA) program is a residency embedded within the ARTicipate Endowment Fund and grant program . Created as part of Arts Ottawa's ongoing commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and community responsiveness, the residency invites artists to help shape the future of arts funding in Ottawa. Over a 12-month residency, the selected artists will explore the history, structure, and impact of the ARTicipate Endowment Fund through research, community engagement, and public dialogue. Working alongside fund partners, past recipients, artists, and community members, they will examine how resources are distributed, identify barriers and opportunities within the program, and gather insights that will inform its future development. Through this work, the Artists in Residence will help strengthen how the ARTicipate Endowment Fund supports artistic creation, presentation, community access, and a thriving, sustainable arts ecosystem in Ottawa. Introducing our Artists in Residence in ARTicipate: Re:Imagine Collective: Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson & Kathryn Patricia Cobbler About Re:Imagine Collective Re:Imagine Collective extends across artforms, space and time, comprising of dancer/choreographer Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson and violist/composer Kathryn Patricia Cobbler and in a dance-music collaboration. With the goal of reanimating still and silent public spaces, Emond-Stevenson and Kathryn Patricia Cobbler explore classical and improvised forms, sharing impulses, reacting and responding to their surroundings through multidisciplinary performance. Though their artistic practices of dance and music are the lenses in which they operate artistically in the world, the duo comes with a breadth of experience within arts management, arts-based research, pedagogical design, community engagement and workshop facilitation. The Re:Imagine Collective's collaborations have been showcased at the National Arts Centre, The Diefenbunker Museum, and supported by a residency at Ottawa Dance Directive. As a collective they were selected as a TACTICS project and interviewed for their Artist Highlights, and were featured artists for Ontario Culture Days. Additionally, they were selected and presented at Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario’s (CPAMO) Gathering Divergence Conference in Toronto. Most recently, The Re:Imagine Collective has worked with MASC as featured artists as a part of their dance festival, Festival de danse en milieu scolaire (FDMS). Whether it be on the concert stage, leading a community workshop or engaging students in an academic setting, The Re:Imagine Collective is a strong emerging voice within the multidisciplinary arts scene, creating meaningful projects that ignite spaces and community. Meet the Collective Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson @takeupspacedance (Instagram & Facebook) https://takeupspacedance.com About Elizabeth Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson is a franco-ontarian dancer, choreographer, educator and mother based on stolen Algonquin territory (Orléans, Ontario). She is a graduate of the Quinte Ballet School of Canada, The School of Dance, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks’ Professional Training Program and attended the Banff Centre for the Arts, as well as training extensively in inclusive dance through Propeller Dance, Stopgap Dance Company (UK), Candoco (UK), AXIS Dance Company (USA), and Dandelion Dance. She makes space to access dance through collaboration, artmaking across disciplines and intergenerational sharing. As a creator her work has been commissioned/supported by the National Arts Centre (Sphere Festival, Capsule, Canada Performs), Ottawa Dance Directive, the City of Ottawa Public Art Program, Lisbon Dance Platform (Portugal), Theatre 4.669, TACTICS, Fresh Meat Festival, Free Flow Dance Theatre, the Annual Alberta Dance Festival, NextFest and others. Elizabeth is a company dancer with Propeller Dance, where she has performed the works of Stopgap Dance Company, Renata Soutter and Shara Weaver; a collaborator with Ottawa Dance Directive; has interpreted work by Speaking Vibrations, Liz Winkelaar, Allison EB, Tara Luz Danse and Par B.L.eux; and toured Canada with The Ghomeshi Effect. As an educator/facilitator she has taught across ages and abilities through Propeller Dance, The School of Dance, the City of Ottawa’s I Love to Dance program, le Festival de danse au milieu scolaire, ODD, Amethyst Women’s Addiction Centre and as a guest in schools. She created INTERFACE, a paid research opportunity for Ottawa emerging dance artists. Elizabeth has served as arts administrator and sometimes producer for Propeller Dance, The School of Dance, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Arzoo Dance Theatre and Kalasadhana Dance Company, as well as self-producing multiple shows. She is both a member and administrative manager with Ghost Rooster Collective. She was a member of the Young Arts Leaders Collective and a board member with Arts Network Ottawa. Mentored by the late great Tedd Robinson, Elizabeth directed Théâtre Wakefield’s “Once Upon Our Time” seniors production, choreographed a music video for Ottawa band Moonfruits, was selected for the Ottawa Children’s Festival TYA Incubator and appeared in CBC Kids Live. Kathryn Patricia Cobbler https://www.kathrynpatricia.com https://kathrynpatricia.bandcamp.com @kathrynpatriciaviolist (Instagram) @kpviolist (Facebook) @Kathrynpatrici7 (Twitter) About Kathryn Hailing from Canada’s Capital region, Kathryn Patricia Cobbler is a composer, loop pedal violist, and educator who has carved a singular niche within contemporary classical music, improvisation, and soundscape creation. She is celebrated for crafting uniquely arresting soundscapes, whether realized in solo performances or through her commissioned works for installations and chamber ensembles. As a composer, Ms. Cobbler has had the pleasure to collaborate on many meaningful projects within the Canadian music scene, with her compositions celebrating women leadership within the arts and holding space for underrepresented voices. Some of Kathryn Patricia’s works include a commission by the National Art Gallery of Canada to compose a piece for their exhibit, Uninvited: Canadian Women Artists in the Modern Moment. Further embracing site-specific work, she has composed for and presented works at the National Arts Centre of Canada (NAC) and The Diefenbunker, Canada’s Cold War Museum. Her work has been recognized internationally, including a feature in the Boston-based concert series, Castle of Our Skin’s Black Composers Miniature Challenge, resulting in the world premiere of her piece A Home Called ‘Wander’ for solo viola and spoken word. Additionally, her chamber music has been featured at Array Music, and her compositional and performance practice featured in Musicworks Magazine. A seasoned performer and improviser, Kathryn Patricia was named a CBC Trailblazer in 2021. She has been featured in Canada’s most notable concert series, including Chamberfest, Music and Beyond, and the NAC’s Sphere Festival. Named one of '3 Classical Musicians You Should Know' in 2022 by SHIFTER Magazine and the NAC, she is a sought-after composer, performer, and speaker. Ms. Cobbler holds degrees in viola performance from Western University (B.M.) and the University of Ottawa (M.M.), and was a 2022 fellow of the Global Leaders Institute. She is currently a PhD student in Critical Studies in Improvisation at the University of Guelph, and serves as a performance instructor at Carleton University. Kathryn Patricia Cobbler performs on a viola by luthier Sibylle Ruppert and a Boss RC-600 loop pedal.

2026-27 RECIPIENTS: Read the full list of recipients and project descriptions here. Mia Ohki Lalande + Doyle PROJECT OUTLINE: “Une Femme En Vaut Deux” is a research-driven art and educational project exploring mixed-identity representation in predominantly white educational spaces. The title, roughly translated as “One Woman Worth Two” or “Strong as Two People,” reflects the artist’s Métis-Japanese-Canadian identity and the ways these cultural identities intersect. The project consists of five educational posters that introduce researched histories, knowledge, and perspectives connected to the artist’s heritage and subjects they would have valued learning about as a student. Designed to be both visually engaging and accessible, each poster includes a QR code linking to a free digital download, additional information, and references, allowing educators, students, and community members to print and display the artwork. The project is rooted in the idea of “free, culturally considerate, educational art,” and printed posters have previously been donated to community associations and Indigenous organizations. Alongside the five posters are original illustrations exploring the connections between the artist’s Métis and Japanese-Canadian identities, particularly the similarities in philosophies concerning nature and community. Together, the educational posters and personal illustrations create an engaging display for audiences of different ages and backgrounds, with the goal of encouraging representation, curiosity, cultural understanding, and greater access to educational artwork. Martin Vuong Lalande + Doyle PROJECT OUTLINE: Untitled - This series of oil paintings explore the emotional and physical experiences associated with opium use. It emerges from the artist’s ongoing research into the opium monopoly in French colonial Vietnam. While much of the historical discussion surrounding the opium trade focuses on economics and colonial policy, the artist is interested in understanding its effects on the mind and body, as well as the experiences of the people who live through it. Each painting combines portraiture, still life, and botanical painting, depicting a figure interacting with life-sized poppies. Rather than presenting the flower as an object, the artist frames the relationship between the figure and the plant as one of intimacy and dependence, reflecting how comfort can gradually develop into addiction. Each work focuses on a distinct emotional or physical state, including warmth, floating, dissociation, euphoria, and confusion. Through the surreal imagery, the artist contrasts the addictive qualities of opium with the violence of the colonial system that normalizes and profits from its consumption. The widespread dependence created by the colonial opium monopoly reveals how economic systems profit from addiction and human suffering. Through this ongoing body of work, the artist connects these historical and contemporary issues while also continuing to explore how history can be understood, embodied, and reimagined through painting. Pixie Cram Creation and Development PROJECT OUTLINE: THE RITE - The Rite is a 25-minute live-action film with sequences of stopmotion, sync-sound dialogue, and voice-over narration, written for a cast of 16 actors, aged 4-80. The film takes place in a dystopian future where science has been lost and two groups perform a ritual every 7 years — offering one of their children to the other group in exchange for peace. It was inspired by the ballet and orchestral work, The Rite of Spring (1913), by Igor Stravinsky. This will be a week-long residency, undertaken before the film goes into production, and will allow time for refining the animation techniques needed, and for building the visual world of THE RITE through costume and make up design. Monique Fuller Lalande + Doyle PROJECT OUTLINE: “Blinked” is an art exhibition curated by OBAK and Orange Cube magazine to mark Slow Art Day (April 10). This exhibit invites visitors to pause and engage deeply with images, each a quiet rebellion against the speed of modern life. Featuring local artists, the show emphasizes art as a medium of stillness, reflection, and poetic encounter. Inspired by thinkers like Heidegger, Jonathan P. Watts, and Arden Reed, the exhibit challenges our shrinking attention spans by encouraging mindful looking and sustained presence. Visitors will be guided through slow viewing sessions and communal reflections linking art with well being. The exhibit is a call to return to presence. A celebration of attention in a world that forgets. A soft resistance, staged in images. Curated with care. Friends of the Print Studio Lalande + Doyle PROJECT OUTLINE: The exhibition Sous pression/Under pressure celebrates a recent renaissance in artistic printmaking in Ottawa. The fourteen artists involved are all members of the arts collective Friends of the Print Studio (FOPS) associated with the Ottawa School of Art. FOPS has become a locus for renewed printmaking activity in the region. The prints exhibited show the most recent developments in that renewal. These developments include the use of less harmful substances in printmaking. In the mid 1960s through the 1990s, the art world in general and particularly in Ottawa showed an awareness, indeed a deep interest in handmade, or “hand-pulled” printmaking. The advent of digital printing dealt a considerable blow to the practice in the late 90s. Our project is first and foremost to show the renaissance of the art in Ottawa, using new and less harmful substances and techniques. Orchids Creation and Development PROJECT OUTLINE: The Malleability of Light - The Malleability of Light is a new album project exploring faith, purpose and soul in the post-modern capitalist era. The album will explore these themes in direct relation to the current ails of contemporary life such as alienation, greed, climate anxiety, and technological disillusionment in contemporary life. Using light as a central metaphor for faith, spirit, and hope, the project asks what happens when something luminous or meaningful is bent, distorted, refracted, or obscured by the world around it. During this week-long residency at Richcraft Theatre, Graham will work with a small ensemble to develop and transform a collection of songs that currently exist primarily as acoustic compositions. The residency will focus on arrangement, performance, spatial experimentation, and exploratory recording. VIEW THE ARTICIPATE EVENT CALENDAR 2007 Established in $ 1,077,590 Given to artists 253 Projects funded How to Apply About Past Recipients View the Spaces FAQ Contact The Articipate Endowment Fund was established in 2007 by Arts Ottawa (formerly Arts Network Ottawa) in partnership with the City of Ottawa to support artistic programming in professional spaces at the Shenkman Arts Centre.  Arts Ottawa is the steward of the Fund and is responsible for its promotion, administration. Each year, the interest earned on the Articipate Endowment Fund is distributed in the form of grants to Resident Arts Partners (Gloucester Pottery School, MIFO, Ottawa School of Art – Orléans Campus and Ottawa School of Theatre), and as Articipate Project Grants to local artists and arts organizations that will present or exhibit their work in professional spaces at the Centre. Project Grant recipients use funding toward rehearsal and production costs, to enhance their creative team, to create original work or to support promotional efforts. Project Grants are determined through a jury process. The Articipate Endowment Fund is made possible through the generosity of the Province of Ontario, foundations, local businesses and individuals. Donate 2025 $3,000 $2,800 $3,000 $3,000 $2,800 $3,000 $2,800 $3,000 $3,000 $2,800 2024 2,250 1,750 1,750 5,000 2,250 2,000 2,250 2,000 5,000 2,250 2,250 2023 2,500 2,500 2,250 2,250 2,250 4,000 2022 2,500 2,500 2,500 4,000 4,000 5,000 4,000 5,000 2020 - 2021 10,000 10,000 5,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 8,260 9,350 8,000 10,000 10,000 2019 Tara Luz Danse 2,500 Tina Petrovicz 1,250 Chamber Opera Company Ottawa 2,500 Aroha Fine Arts 2,500 Dyanne Wilson 1,000 Carrie Brummer 1,000 John Voordouw 1,000 Karen Goetzinger 1,250 Sons of Scotland Pipe Band 1,500 Anjali Patil Dance Creations 2,500 Zac Pulak 1,000 Sandy Sharkey 1,250 Ginny Fobert 1,000 Théâtre du Village Orléans Inc 2,500 Cumberland Community Singers 300 Danielle Beaulieu 500 2018 East End Theatre 1,400 Cumberland Community Singers 1,425 Théâtre du Village Orléans inc 2,500 MDA Productions 2,500 Tara Luz Danse 2,500 Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre 2,500 Windows Collective 2,500 Aroha Fine Arts 2,500 Mark Stephenson 1,250 Jessie M Parker 1,100 Gail Bourgeois and Pira Pirani 2,500 Deirdre Hierlihy 1,250 2017 Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre 2,500 Cumberland Community Singers 1,159.50 Windows Collective 2,500 Théâtre du Village Orléans inc 2,300 Tara Luz Danse 2,500 Rapscallion Diversion 2,000 Gharana Arts 2,300 Marc Léger 1,000 Jessica Ruano & Amelia Griffin 2,325 Jeannine Robertson 1,250 Anjali Patil / Nick Storring Collective 2,300 2016 Jeannine Robertson 1,250 Chinh Nguyen 1,000 Windows Collective 2,500 Théâtre du village Orléans Inc. 2,300 Tara Luz Danse 2,500 Jessica Ruano & Amelia Griffin 2,325 Rapscallion Diversion 2,000 Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre 2,500 Anjali Patil & Nick Storring Collective 2,300 Gharana Arts 2,300 2015 Tara Luz Danse 2,500 Windows Collective 2,500 Théâtre du Village Orléans inc 2,500 Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre 2,500 MDA Productions 2,500 East End Theatre 1,425 Cumberland Community Singers 500 Tale Wagging Theatre 1,500 Coro Vivo Ottawa Inc 2,500 Susan Toman, Tess McManus, Dawn Bailey 1,000 Ralitsa Tcholakova 1,250 Karen Miller 775 Karen Goetzinger 1,250 Cynthia O'Brien 1,250 2014 Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre 2,000 Theatre Théâtre du Village d’Orléans 1,500 Music Ralitsa Tcholakova 1,000 Tara Luz Danse 2,000 Aroha Fine Arts 2,000 Vintage Stock Theatre 1,500 Jennifer Stewart 750 Anjali Patil 1,000 Alena Liapko 695 Ralph Nevins 1,000 Michel Luc Bellemare 750 John F. Marok 1,000 2013 Vintage Stock Theatre 1,500 Théâtre du Village Orléans Inc. 2,000 Tara Luz Danse 2,000 Tale Wagging Theatre 1,250 Aroha Fine Arts 2,000 Virginia Dupuis 750 Sayward Johnson 750 Raymond John Clements 1,000 Miguel De Armas 2,000 Doris Lamontagne 1,000 Anjali Patil 1,000 2012 Orléans Festival 2,000 Vintage Stock Theatre 1,500 Théâtre du Village Orléans 2,000 Tara Luz Danse 2,000 Tale Wagging Theatre 1,500 Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre 1,905 Aroha Fine Arts 1,500 One Word Dialogue 1,000 Michel Luc Bellemare 500 Michael Parkin 1,000 Mary Kritz 750 Karen Goetzinger 1,000 Anjali Patil 750 2011 Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre 1,505 Vintage Stock Theatre 2,000 Théâtre du Village Orléans inc 2,000 Dr. L's Music and Counterpoint Players 2,000 Gloucester Community Concert Band 500 Bytown Beat Chorus 1,000 Gharana Arts Festival 2,000 Tara Luz Danse 2,000 The Gumboots Dance Project 1,000 Asif Rehman 750 2010 Digi60 Film Festival 2,000 Alanna Baird 1,000 Propeller Dance 2,000 Blink Gallery 2,000 Gharana Arts 2,000 Vintage Stock Theatre 2,000 National Capital Suzuki School of Music 2,000 Ottawa Theatre School 2,000 Lalande + Doyle Exhibition Space Creation & Development Events & Performances IM A VISUAL ARTIST/GROUP INTERESTED IN EXHIBITING MY WORK IM AN ARTIST/GROUP LOOKING TO EXPLORE AND DEVELOP NEW WORK IM AN ARTIST/GROUP INTERESTED IN HOSTING A FESTIVAL, CONCERT OR EVENT APPLICATIONS CLOSED There are three ARTicipate Project Grant funding streams available. Please make sure you select the correct funding stream for your project and meet all eligibility criteria for that specific stream before applying. Please ensure you have reviewed our TERMS AND CONDITIONS prior to submitting your application. Still have questions about which stream is right for you or your project? We encourage you to consult our FAQ page or contact us at alex@artsottawa.ca to discuss your application. Harold Shenkman Hall Richcraft Theatre Ottawa Citizen Dance Studio Learn more Learn more Learn more Emmy and Victor Abboud Music Studio Upper Lobby Reception Space Agora Minto-Orleans Outdoor Plaza Learn more Learn more Learn more Ottawa School of Theatre Studios Lower Lobby Reception Area LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space Learn more Learn more Learn more FAQs About the grant Why do I need to use the Shenkman Arts Centre for funding received through the ARTicipate Project Grant? The Articipate Endowment Fund was established in 2007 by Arts Network Ottawa (now Arts Ottawa) in partnership with the City of Ottawa to support artistic programming in professional spaces at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Each year, the interest earned on the Articipate Endowment Fund is distributed in the form of grants to local artists and arts organizations that will present or exhibit their work in professional spaces at the Centre. While ARTicipate Project Grants are intended to fund local artists and arts organizations, these grants also work to animate/showcase the Centre. How will I know you have received my Project Grant application? When the online application form is completed and successfully submitted, a message will pop up confirming your submission. I have received an ARTicipate Project Grant in the past, am I eligible to apply this year? Projects that have previously been funded through ARTicipate are ineligible BUT previous ARTicipate Grant recipients are eligible to apply for new projects, provided they meet eligibility criteria. About the Use of Space and Resources at Shenkman Arts Centre Who will come to my event or performance? Does ARTicipate or Shenkman Arts Centre promote my event for me? While the Shenkman Arts Centre and Arts Ottawa provide general support with promotion through newsletters and social media posts, we do not have the capacity to adequately promote and generate audiences for all ARTicipate-funded public events, performances, and exhibitions. Promotional materials and marketing campaigns are the responsibility of grant recipients. Successful applicants will be onboarded and provided additional resources to support promotion of their project. Where can I find out more about the spaces at the Shenkman Arts Centre You can find more information under "View the Spaces" or on their website or by contacting Booking Agents at: locationshenkmanrentals@ottawa.ca or telephone 613-580-2424 ext. 15930. I have received ARTicipate funding. Am I able to change the dates of my project? Yes, pending the availability of spaces and approval from Shenkman Arts Centre Booking Agents, project dates will be allowed to change. If you would like to change your dates please contact staff at Arts Ottawa or the Shenkman Arts Centre: locationshenkmanrentals@ottawa.ca   or telephone 613-580-2424 ext. 15930 alex@artsottawa.ca Budget What other costs or details should I include in my budget expenses? Artist fees (here are some resources to help you determine the amounts: Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens , Canadian Actors’ Equity Association ) Project Costs (E.g., Supplies, materials, access support for disability-related services and supports required to complete the project, equipment, and venue rentals, etc.). This might include additional costs for technicians or resources at the Shenkman Arts Centre (not applicable for the LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space). Dissemination and Promotion (E.g., Digital tools and software for project dissemination, design of promotional materials, photo, and video documentation of the project, etc.) Administration (E.g., Insurance, administration personnel for the project, etc.) Access (Public access costs – e.g., Sign language interpretation, captioning, audio description, childcare, translation, etc.) Other costs specific to your project. What should I include in my budget revenues? The amount you are requesting from this grant If you have other confirmed or anticipated grants/donations, etc. Potential/estimated ticket sales Is it okay if the only source of revenue included in the budget is this grant? Yes. Liability Insurance options: Why do I need this, and who do I talk to? Arts Ottawa will arrange insurance with successful applicants through the City of Ottawa’s insurance program. This will not be an expense for grant recipients. The City of Ottawa typically requires anyone who uses their facilities to have liability insurance coverage to a minimum limit of $2,000,000, naming the City of Ottawa as an additional insured. Insurance is not required in the LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space. What liability insurance does is protect you against claims resulting from injuries and damage to other people or property resulting from your project activities. By naming the City of Ottawa as an additional insured means that they will also benefit from your coverage should there be an incident. The cost of liability insurance can vary, depending on the nature of your activities. Still have questions? Applicants are encouraged to contact the Program Manager with any questions they may have regarding the ARTicipate Project Grant guidelines or their application: alex@artsottawa.ca Contact Us Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or would like to talk with our organization about the grant program, the application process, or how to become a donor. Be sure to read our F.A.Q. for answers to many of the common questions we get from applicants and donors! Alex Maltby Programming & Partnerships alex@artsottawa.ca Articipate Endowment Fund c/o Arts Ottawa Arts Court 2 Daly ave. Ottawa, ON K1E 0A1 Donate Donate to the Articipate Endowment Fund and help build the cultural life in Ottawa! Your donation builds a stable source of funding for artists and arts organizations. Through grants, the Fund supports the artistic activities at the Shenkman Arts Centre and will do so for generations to come, not to mention benefiting the local economy. DONATE NOW Take a look at our Donor Wall ! Resident Art Partners Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre Project Outline: Start Now Cumberland Community Singers Project Outline: Start Now Windows Collective Project Outline: Start Now Théâtre du Village Orléans inc Project Outline: Start Now Tara Luz Danse Project Outline: Start Now Rapscallion Diversion Project Outline: Start Now Gharana Arts Project Outline: Start Now Marc Léger Project Outline: Start Now Jessica Ruano & Amelia Griffin Project Outline: Start Now Jeannine Robertson Project Outline: Start Now Anjali Patil / Nick Storring Collective Project Outline: Start Now

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Ways you can get involved with the Ottawa arts community. 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. Explore ways you can get involved below. Photo: Shannon Hawn Membership Connecting communities to action and amplifying arts voices. Become a Member Volunteer Connect with local artists and give back to your community Volunteer Governance Board ensures accountability and aligns collective action with strategic goals Meet the Board Support Arts Ottawa Your contributions fuel the growth of our local arts sector Donate Today