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Browse Arts Ottawa's annual reports and learn about our AGM. Thank you to our AGM sponsors. 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 2024 AGM Wednesday June 18th, 2025 | 6:00 PM (doors open at 5:30PM) Joint Annual General Meeting Ottawa Arts Council & Arts Network Ottawa Location: Heritage Room (The Albion Rooms) DoubleTree by Hilton Ottawa Downtown 33 Nicholas Street All members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of Ottawa Arts Council and Arts Network Ottawa, the last as individual organizations. We’ll celebrate the achievements and milestones that have defined us over the past year, none of which would have been possible without your support. The meeting will commence with Ottawa Arts Council’s AGM, followed by Arts Network Ottawa's AGM. If you are attending the AGM, please review the following documents: OTTAWA ARTS COUNCIL - Agenda 2024 AGM Minutes Last fiscal year draft financial statements - English only Transforming Together: Systemic Change for Community Benefit Annual Report ARTS NETWORK OTTAWA - 2024 AGM Minutes Last fiscal year draft financial statements Board of Directors List Transforming Together: Systemic Change for Community Benefit Annual Report While you are invited to attend both AGMs, you must be a member to vote. If you have any questions, please contact Joni Hamlin joni@artsottawa.ca . 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 2023 Arts Network Ottawa Annual Report 2023 Download Ottawa Arts Council Annual Report 2023 Download 2024 Arts Network Ottawa Annual Report 2024 Download Ottawa Arts Council Annual Report 2024 Download

Explore Arts Ottawa's collection of insightful reports, articles, and studies that reflect the pulse of Ottawa’s vibrant arts community. Publications Explore our collection of insightful reports, articles, and studies that reflect the pulse of Ottawa’s vibrant arts community. From in-depth research on cultural trends to practical guides for artists and arts organizations, our publications provide valuable resources to support and inspire the local arts ecosystem. Stay informed and engaged with the latest updates and initiatives shaping Ottawa's creative landscape. 2025 Arts Impact Calculator - Third Angle | Arts Ottawa | Ottawa Community Foundation Download Co-Creation Lab Participant Package | Arts Ottawa Download Arts Ottawa Learning Lab 3 - Summary Download Arts Ottawa Learning Lab 2 - Summary Download Arts Ottawa Learning Lab 1 - Summary Download Shared Ground: A Framework for Cultural Co-Design in Downtown Ottawa by Kelly Wilhelm Download 2024 Transforming Together: Systemic Change for Community Benefit Download Arts Leaders Breakfast June 5 : Feedback Analysis Report Download Co-Creation Lab Report Download Community Conversations Report Download 2023 Arts Network Ottawa Annual Report 2023 Download Ottawa Arts Council Annual Report 2023 Download 2013 - 2023 A Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Heritage and Culture in Ottawa (2013-2018) Download Arm’s Length Cultural Sector Development Feasibility Study Final Report, OCA Download A Liveable City for All: A New Cultural Roadmap for Ottawa 2019-22, OCA Download

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 Co-Creating Arts Ottawa We’ve reimagined governance at Arts Ottawa, centering collaboration, transparency, and community input in everything we do.  Learn More Learning Labs Exploring governance, advocacy, artist leadership, and collaboration. Learn More Co-Creation Labs Designing a Shared Leadership Governance Model Learn More Action Labs and the Core Leadership Circle Tackle urgent issues, driving sector-wide change Take Action 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 Sponsorship Sponsor the arts in our local community Become a Sponsor Support Arts Ottawa Your contributions fuel the growth of our local arts sector Donate Today

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 ARTicipate 2025: APPLY NOW Transforming Together: Systemic Change for Community Benefit Watch the Learning Labs online now Jordan and Olivia in Conversation: The Artists in Residence in Government meet Report: Arts Impact Calculator City of Ottawa Cultural Plan and Funding Framework Review City Budget 2025 Giving Circle: Help Shape the Future of the Arts in Ottawa 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 Driving collective action to address the needs and priorities of Ottawa's arts sector. Photo: Curtis Perry Programs & Services Co-Creating Arts Ottawa We’re reimagining governance at Arts Ottawa with collaboration, transparency, and community input at the core. Arts & Cultural Leadership Series Gatherings that cultivate leadership, collaboration, and sustainability in the arts sector Open Office Hours Monthly discussions on rotating topics that interest the arts community Explore more programs & servicEs Subscribe to the Arts Ottawa newsletters Arts Ottawa offers three newsletters that will keep you up to date on the Ottawa arts community. Learn about our newsletters here. Email* Yes, subscribe me to the selected newsletters. * Which newsletters would you like to sign up for? Arts Ottawa Report (bi-weekly) WKND Bulletin (weekly) Artist Talk (bi-weekly) Submit

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)   Core Leadership Circle (CLC)   Board of Directors   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.

Meet the Arts Ottawa team Meet the Arts Ottawa Team Alex Maltby Programming & Partnerships Brooklyn Marok Digital Engagement & Design Cassandra Olsthoorn Co-Leadership, Strategy & Community Mobilization Emelie Cowan Program Coordinator Joni Hamlin Programming and Operations Nicole Milne Co-Leadership, Operations & Revenue Generation Board of Directors Anona Kosmack Chirag Gehani Dominic Brisson Emily Ramsay Jeff Richstone

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 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 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 .

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 We share information about upcoming volunteer opportunities in our newsletter and on our social media. If you are interested in volunteering now or at a future event or advocacy campaign, contact us at info@artsottawa.ca or fill out our volunteer form. Volunteer Form Looking for other volunteer opportunities in Ottawa? Check out Volunteer Ottawa & Ottawa Festival Network

Co-Creation Labs Arts Ottawa invites you to participate in an innovative co-creation session where artists are at the center of governance, and advocacy, equity, and volunteerism play pivotal roles in shaping the leadership structure. Photo: Brooklyn Marok Thank you all for joining us on April 24th and 26th for our Co-Creation Labs! View the recap video from Youtube here. Co-Creation Labs are a crucial part of Co-Creating Arts Ottawa . Building on everything we've explored in the Learning Labs , these sessions will focus on bringing your insights to life. In these 4.5 hour interactive sessions, you will: Collaboratively design a governance model that ensures inclusive decision-making. Explore advocacy, artist leadership, and redesigning volunteerism in arts governance. Engage in creative activities like café-style speed dating, visual storytelling, and consensus decision-making to build a shared leadership structure for Arts Ottawa. Co-create a Governance Charter that reflects community values, ensuring leadership that is accountable, transparent, and community-driven. Whether you're an artist, community organizer, or arts advocate, this session is designed to ensure that your voice and your values shape the governance framework of Arts Ottawa. We invite you to bring your creativity, experience, and insights to this collaborative process, and together, we will build a governance model that reflects the diverse and vibrant arts community we serve.

Action Labs and the Core Leadership Circle Priority-focused Action Labs are at the heart of driving change. These flexible, purpose-driven groups are guided by concerns identified by the Community Advisory Members and form and disband in response to the organization’s evolving priorities. Each Lab is shaped around a specific issue and may function as a think tank, research group, advocacy hub, working committee, or creative collective, tackling the most pressing challenges facing the sector. The outcomes of these Action Labs feed into two key areas: the Organization, which leads implementation efforts, and the Core Leadership Circle, which amplifies the work externally and helps influence broader systemic change. Photo: Jamaal Khaleefa More about the Core Leadership Circle The Core Leadership Circle serves as a high-level catalyst for action in the arts community. Made up of individuals and organizations with influence and insight, the Circle helps champion and advocate for the outcomes generated by the Action Labs. Through its leadership, the CLC has helped activate key community initiatives such as Shared Ground , which fostered dialogue and collaboration across diverse disciplines, and the Arts Awards , which celebrate and elevate the contributions of local artists and cultural leaders. A Dual Approach to Change Project-Based Labs: These labs are designed to achieve specific goals, such as organizing a campaign or launching a new initiative. They have defined timelines and objectives and disband once the project is completed, or the goals are successfully met. Issue-Based Labs: These labs focus on ongoing challenges or policy-related issues. While they often operate on longer timelines, their purpose and impact are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain relevant and effective. Rotating Membership, Shared Leadership Membership in Action Labs is intentionally fluid, with rotating participation to encourage fresh perspectives and prevent burnout. This rotation brings new energy and ideas into the group, while also helping to share leadership, distribute responsibilities, and avoid centralized decision-making. The result is a more inclusive, balanced, and collaborative process. Financial compensation for participation in the Action Labs is available to remove barriers to participation. Read about ways you can participate and sign up here.

Governance Photo: Quest

Learning Labs Bringing together interest holders, Arts Ottawa staff, and sector experts to explore governance, advocacy, artist leadership, and collaboration. Photo: Quest WATCH THE LEARNING LABS ONLINE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Learning Labs are a crucial part of Co-Creating Arts Ottawa . Next up: Co-Creation Labs. The Learning Lab series will bring interest holders, Arts Ottawa staff, and sector experts together. This series will serve as both an introduction to and exploration of key themes such as governance, advocacy, artist leadership, trust-building, and cross-sector collaboration. In these sessions, we will begin to bridge the gap between sector-wide learning and localized, actionable solutions. In these sessions we ... • Reimagined Governance – Many traditional governance models no longer serve the evolving needs of the arts sector. Learn how shared leadership, transparency, and equitable representation can create stronger organizations. • Strengthened Advocacy – Fragmented advocacy efforts limit our ability to influence policy. Explore strategies to amplify the sector’s collective voice and secure sustainable support. • Learnt from Experts – Hear from sector leaders, policy experts, and grassroots organizations actively reshaping governance and advocacy frameworks. • Collaborated & Took Action – Engage in a hands-on workshop to co-create practical governance solutions tailored to your organization’s needs. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 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