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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 Community Forums Come together to shape shared priorities for Ottawa's arts sector Join us Arts Ottawa Governance Model We’ve reimagined governance at Arts Ottawa, centering collaboration, transparency, and community input in everything we do.  Learn More Learning and Co-Creation Labs Exploring governance, advocacy, and artist-led collaboration to design a Shared Leadership 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 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

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 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.

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 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 How to ARTicipate | Get all your questions answered! APPLY NOW: ARTicipate grant applications open now! Something exciting is coming to Sparks Street! Learn about the Pop-up Shared Ground updates : one year later APPLY NOW : Arts Ottawa Call for photographers Arts Ottawa's First Community Forum - Outcomes and next steps Watch the CWB Learning Labs online now 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 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 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 - August - September - October - November - December - Driving collective action to address the needs and priorities of Ottawa's arts sector. Photo: Curtis Perry 2025 January Introduction of Co-Creating Arts Ottawa learn more First Open Office Hours: Welcome to Arts Ottawa learn more February Learning Lab no.1: Governance Models and Advocacy in the Arts learn more Open Office Hours: Discussing Arts Awards March Learning Lab no.2 : Artists as Community Leaders learn more Open Office Hours: Discussing Mentorship within the Arts April Learning Lab no. 3: Redefining Volunteerism in Governance learn more Co-Creation Labs: building a governance model learn more May Learning Labs recap videos available online watch now June AGMs held on June 18th Read the annual reports here Shared Ground first event of the initiative held on June 25th Learn more July Unveiling of our new Arts Ottawa Awards Learn more Launch of the Giving Circle Learn more Open Office Hours: Arts Ottawa's Shared Leadership Model Learn more August Updated Volunteer pathway 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 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. Shared Ground Calling in Leadership on Cultural Spaces and Reimagining Downtown Through Arts and Culture Artist in Residence in Government 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. Explore more programs & servicEs Explore the new Artist Talk! Our new community hub brings together events, resources, and discussions — all in one place. Stay connected, informed, and inspired. Visit Artist Talk Subscribe to the Arts Ottawa Report! Arts Ottawa offers a bi-weekly report that will keep you up to date on all of the programs and services Arts Ottawa has to offer the Ottawa community. Learn about our newsletters here. Email* Yes, subscribe me to Arts Ottawa Report. * Submit

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

APPLY NOW: ARTicipate grant applications open now! Interested in applying? Find all the application details and Terms and Conditions on our site LEARN MORE

Short description Why Arts Spaces Matters in the Future of the ByWard Market | Article by Cassandra Olsthoorn

Short description Arts Ottawa - 2025 in Review

Short description Watch the CWB Learning Labs online now

Outcomes and next steps Arts Ottawa's First Community Forum - Outcomes and next steps

Short description How to ARTicipate | Get all your questions answered! Join Arts Ottawa for How to ARTicipate , an online info-session to help artists and arts organizations learn more about the ARTicipate Project Grant. How to ARTicipate July 28 | 12:00–1:00 PM Zoom REGISTER NOW

Short description APPLY NOW : Artist in Residence in ARTicipate

Short description Introducing Arts Ottawa’s Shared Leadership Model