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.

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

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 Arts matter this election - learn about our asks for the City Watch the Mayoral Debate on Arts and Culture online Announcing the Lalande + Doyle ARTicipate 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

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 are: 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 (tbd) Shared Governance of Public Cultural Spaces REGISTRATION COMING SOON November 23 Ecosystem Development for Longer-term Creative Placemaking REGISTRATION COMING SOON 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.

Short description APPLY NOW : Artist in Residence in ARTicipate

Short description APPLY NOW : Lalande+Doyle ARTicipate Exhibition Grant

Short description Get. Together. on December 15th - Learn more and Register

Short description APPLY NOW : Arts Ottawa Call for photographers

Short description June 1st - CWB Learning Lab 5 | Registration Open

Reports 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. Jump to a category: Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts Arts Correspondents Shared Ground Annual Reports Arts Ottawa Governance Model Youtube Policy and Cultural Planning Artist in Residence in Government Learning Labs Artist in Residence in Articipate Arts Awards Co-Design Process Report, 2025 read Co-Create Arts Ottawa Report: Governance, Inclusion, and Volunteer Engagement, 2025 read Shaping the Volunteer experience together, 2025 read Arts Correspondent, Ava Margueritte - Arts Ottawa’s Collaborative Strategy Session, 2025 read Transforming together: Systemic change for community benefit. The merger of Ottawa Arts Council and Arts Network Ottawa,2024 read Arts Leaders Breakfast : Feedback Analysis Report, 2024 read Co-Creation Lab Report, 2024 read Community Conversations Report, 2023 – 2024 read Arts Ottawa Impact Report, ONLINE, 2025 read Arts Ottawa Impact Report, 2025 read Arts Network Ottawa Annual Report, 2024 read Ottawa Arts Council Annual Report, 2024 read Arts Network Ottawa Annual Report, 2023 read Ottawa Arts Council Annual Report, 2023 read Arts Ottawa Governance Model Annual Reports Ottawa Has Culture. What It Doesn’t Have Is a Cultural Economy Strategy - and Downtown Will Pay the Price, Article by Kwende Kefentse, 2026 read Why Arts Spaces Matters in the Future of the ByWard Market, Article by Cassandra Olsthoorn, 2026 read Shared Ground Inaugural Learning Day, 2025 read (Un)Common Grounds and Community Living Rooms Event, 2025 read Newly formed Arts Ottawa wants artists to be involved in office conversion discussions, Article by By Mia Jensen, OBJ read New Shared Ground event explores who will lead the transformation of Ottawa’s empty spaces, Article By Willemijn Bunskoek read Shared Ground Action Lab Launch Report, 2025 read Shared Ground: A Framework for Cultural Co-Design in Downtown Ottawa, Article by Kelly Wilhelm, 2025 read Strengthening the case for the arts with Kadija De Paula, 2026 read Arts Correspondent, Etta Gerrits - Decolonizing Evaluation, 2026 read Decolonizing Evaluation with Dr. Gladys Rowe, 2026 read Get.Together with Shanice Bernicky, 2025 read Arts Correspondent, Meral Tan- Get.Together Event, 2025 read Impact Calculator feasibility study, Third Angle, Arts Ottawa, Ottawa Community Foundation, 2024 read Shared Ground Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts Arts Correspondent, Etta Gerrits - Decolonizing Evaluation, COMIC, 2026 read Arts Correspondent, Etta Gerrits - Decolonizing Evaluation, 2026 read Arts Correspondent, Murray Dineen - Community Forum: Turning Priorities into Action, 2025 read Arts Correspondent, Dillon Orr - Community Forum: Turning Priorities into Action, 2025 read Arts Correspondent, Meral Tan - Get.Together Event, 2025 read Arts Correspondent, Ava Margueritte - Arts Ottawa’s Collaborative Strategy Session, 2025 read ARTicipate Endowment Fund: Community Consultation Summary, 2026 read Arts Correspondents Artist in Residence in Articipate CWB - Pillars 4 & 5: Progressive Procurement & Fair Work Practices, 2026 read CWB - Pillar 3: Just Use of Land and Property, 2026 read CWB - Pillar 2: Locally Rooted Finance, 2026 read CWB - Pillar 1: Pluralistic Ownership, 2026 read An introduction to Community Wealth Building (CWB), 2026 read Getting vocal about local: A case for local procurement in the arts, Article by Valerie Stam, 2026 read Learning Lab 3: Redefining Volunteerism in Governance, 2025 read Learning Lab 2: Artists as Community Leaders, 2025 read Learning Lab 1: Governance Models and Advocacy in the Arts Sector, 2025 read Community Conversations Report, 2023 – 2024 read Get.Together: Jordan and Olivia in Conversation, 2024 read What Olivia has been up to, 2024 read Learning Labs Artist in Residence in Government A Liveable City for All: A New Cultural Roadmap for Ottawa 2019-22, OCA read Arm’s Length Cultural Sector Development Feasibility Study Final Report, OCA, 2019 read A Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Heritage and Culture in Ottawa, 2013-2018 read Community Wealth Building Learning Labs, 2026 watch Arts Ottawa Community Forum, 2026 watch Shared Ground Learning Day, 2025 watch Interview with Artist in Residence in Government, Olivia Onuk, 2025 watch Learning Labs: Part of Co-Creating Arts Ottawa, 2025 watch ARTicipate Endowment Fund Grant Recipients: effect of the grant, 2025 watch Community Conversations, 2023 – 2024 watch Policy and Cultural Planning Youtube

APPLY NOW : We're Hiring! - Marketing & Public Relations Lead Marketing & Public Relations Lead (1-year contract, with pathway to permanent full-time) Salary: $57,000 plus benefits Contract: July 2026 to July 2027 Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Location: Hybrid; weekly on-site collaborative work in person at Arts Court every Wednesday Deadline for application: Friday, July 10th, 2026 at 1:00 pm EST Interview availability: Wednesday, July 15 and Thursday, July 16, day or evening. About the position Arts Ottawa is looking for a strategic, collaborative marketing and PR professional to lead how our work shows up in the community, across the city, the province, and on national platforms where it matters. This is a one-year contract with a clear pathway to a permanent full-time position based on fit, performance, and funding. Salary is $57,000, paid bi-weekly through an online payroll system. This role is for someone who thinks before they post, plans before they pitch, and knows the difference between marketing and communications well enough to explain it clearly to a board, a funder, or a journalist. You'll work alongside our Digital Engagement & Design Lead, and our Content and Impact Documentation Coordinator, bringing strategic thinking, steady judgment, and clear planning to a team that already does excellent work. Click for details Read the plain text version of the call Marketing & Public Relations Lead (1-year contract, with pathway to permanent full-time) Salary: $57,000 plus benefits Contract: July 2026 to July 2027 Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Location: Hybrid; weekly on-site collaborative work in person at Arts Court every Wednesday Deadline for application: Friday, July 10 th , 2026 at 1:00 pm EST Interview availability: Wednesday, July 15 and Thursday, July 16, day or evening. About Arts Ottawa Arts Ottawa is Ottawa's primary arts service organization, bringing together artists, cultural workers, and arts groups to build the shared systems and infrastructure that a thriving creative city requires. Established in January 2025 through the merger of Arts Network Ottawa and Ottawa Arts Council, Arts Ottawa carries forward more than 40 years of sector history while operating with a renewed, sector-facing mandate: coordinating partners, reducing duplication, amplifying collective advocacy, and developing tools that strengthen the full arts ecosystem. The organization is guided by community co-created principles including equity, shared governance, transparency, and accountability, and delivers all programming and communications in both official languages. About the position Arts Ottawa is looking for a strategic, collaborative marketing and PR professional to lead how our work shows up in the community, across the city, the province, and on national platforms where it matters. This is a one-year contract with a clear pathway to a permanent full-time position based on fit, performance, and funding. Salary is $57,000, paid bi-weekly through an online payroll system. This role is for someone who thinks before they post, plans before they pitch, and knows the difference between marketing and communications well enough to explain it clearly to a board, a funder, or a journalist. You'll work alongside our Digital Engagement & Design Lead, and our Content and Impact Documentation Coordinator, bringing strategic thinking, steady judgment, and clear planning to a team that already does excellent work. What you'll own Developing and stewarding short- and long-term marketing plans in partnership with our communications and programming teams, to amplify strategies and work intentionally and not reactively. Building and maintaining relationships with local, provincial, and federal media, and knowing when and how to use them. Writing and placing media releases, facilitating op-eds, and feature pitches that reflect the depth of Arts Ottawa's work and the sector we serve. Leading the marketing strategy for the upcoming municipal election cycle, with a clear plan for how Arts Ottawa contributes to a more informed public conversation about the arts. Identifying and securing podcast opportunities that feature Arts Ottawa staff and sector leadership as guests, placing our team's expertise in front of the right audiences, on the right shows, with messaging that's prepared and on point. Partnering with our Co-Leadership, Strategy, and Community Mobilization teams to source, edit, and distribute guest storytelling content from community leaders in relation to programming and policy recommendations, bringing their voices to wider audiences and ensuring their stories are told with care, accuracy, and reach. Launching and editorially shaping an Arts Ottawa Substack: setting the publication strategy, cadence, and voice; commissioning or writing pieces, including community-led storytelling, that build our audience and position Arts Ottawa as an essential read on the local arts sector. Bringing structure and rhythm to marketing and PR work across the team, with the judgment to know when to accelerate a project and when to slow it down. What we're looking for Solid experience in marketing and public relations, ideally with time spent in or near the arts and culture sector. A track record of earned media placements and durable relationships with journalists and editors. Strong writing and editing: clean, clear, and tonally aware, with the judgment to shape someone else's voice without overwriting it. Experience developing marketing campaigns with measurable outcomes. A genuine understanding of the current needs of the arts sector, not just trends. Experience pitching spokespeople to podcasts or building and editing a newsletter or publication with a real audience. Comfort and care in working with community voices, particularly those of equity-deserving leaders, and a clear ethic around consent, attribution, and respectful amplification. A collaborative working style. You thrive on a team that values thoughtfulness, consistency, and quality. You bring out the best in colleagues by being prepared, generous, and clear, and you take ownership of your own work while supporting the work of others. Abiltiy to communicate in French would be considered a strong asset. Why work with us A four-day work week. Arts Ottawa operates Tuesday through Friday, with Mondays off as a paid non-working day. Flexible scheduling within the four-day week: early start, late start, or a split day, so the schedule works with your life. Hybrid work, with at least one in-person day per week (Wednesdays) at the Arts Ottawa head office at Arts Court in downtown Ottawa. Fully remote for summer months (July and August) Eight paid personal days per year Eight paid vacation days per year Eligible for 4% RRSP matching contribution (after 4 months) Health Benefit Plan – employer pays 50% effective upon hiring and enrollment Employee Assistance Program offering free confidential counselling support for employee and immediate family members Professional development support: Arts Ottawa contributes to courses, certifications, and conferences that are relevant to your role and growth. Reimbursement for work-related travel, including transit, rideshare where appropriate, mileage, parking, and per diem meals when travelling out of town. A values-driven workplace, committed to equity, accessibility, and amplifying Indigenous voices on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. How to apply Please submit: A cover letter (no more than two pages) telling us how you think about the work, not just what you've done , to the attention of Nicole Milne, Co-Leadership, Operations and Revenue Generation ( nicole@artsottawa.ca ), with the subject line: Application: Marketing & PR Lead at Arts Ottawa A current résumé Two to three examples of media placements, campaigns, or published pieces you led or significantly shaped The Interview Process Interviews are held in person at Arts Ottawa's office in Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa. The conversation runs one hour and involves two members of our team: Nicole Milne, Co-Lead, Operations and Revenue Generation, and Brooklyn Marok, Digital Engagement and Design Lead. We send interview questions to all candidates in advance. We believe everyone deserves the same opportunity to prepare, and we're more interested in your thinking than your ability to perform under pressure. If you require any accommodations to participate fully, whether for the application process or the interview itself, please reach out to Nicole Milne directly at nicole@artsottawa.ca . All requests are handled with care and confidentiality. Arts Ottawa is an equal opportunity employer. We particularly welcome applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities. Accommodations are available at every stage of the hiring process; please let us know what you need.

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