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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. Learning and Professional development What if we had better ways to calculate the social impact that the arts contribute to local communities?   Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts View Program Community-Engaged Arts 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 View Program 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 Arts Ottawa is introducing a new role: Artist in Residence in ARTicipate. Artist in Residence in ARTicipate Learn more Funding, recognition and showcasing opportunities The Arts Ottawa Awards celebrate Ottawa-based artists, creatives, educators, businesses, and organizations who help shape a vibrant, connected city. Arts Ottawa Awards View Program ARTicipate Project Grants View Program Programs & Services Arts Ottawa’s programming and services are designed to address critical gaps and challenges in Ottawa’s arts landscape. Through a lens of mentorship and peer-support, we provide a range of opportunities to engage, build careers, expand networks, and access funding. At the forefront, we are committed to platforming the voices of artists in our community to inform and shape our programs and services - working together to achieve a vibrant and sustainable sector.

Arts community updates we're keeping an eye on On Our Radar Arts community updates we're keeping an eye on 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!

Arts Ottawa advocates for and enforces Safer Spaces. Safer Spaces Policy What is the Safer Spaces Policy? This safer spaces policy applies to all Arts Ottawa sponsored spaces and programs, including our in-person and online events, online platforms, emails, as well as any other spaces that Arts Ottawa hosts. The goal of safer spaces is to encourage all participants to work together to prevent or reduce harm, particularly for those who are often the targets of violence and harassment. Oppressive behavior that makes others feel unsafe will not be tolerated. Jump to section: Reporting Enforcement Feedback Reporting Please do not hesitate to contact us, at any time, if you feel unsafe or notice another person who feels or is being made to feel unsafe. Being made to feel “unsafe” means that you are experience discomfort, harassment caused by another individual or group of individuals. Any reports will be handled privately and will be acted upon with your safety in mind first. Anonymous reports will be fully investigated and taken seriously. We want you to be happy at our events and spaces. In no way, should you ever feel bad or guilty for reporting an incident. This policy exists for you and for fostering an inclusive space in which everyone can feel safe to participate. You have the option to provide your information if you choose to. Report an Incident Enforcement Arts Ottawa is dedicated to providing a harassment-free space for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity + expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, age, language, body size, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic standing, or otherwise. Arts Ottawa does not tolerate harassment of participants in any form. Anyone who violates this safer space policy may be sanctioned, expelled, or banned from these spaces. If a person engages in harassing behavior, they will be asked to stop and expected to comply immediately. If the person continues to engage in harassing behavior, the organizers/coordinators retain the right to take any actions to keep the event, programs, spaces (online & physical) a welcoming space for everyone. This can include warning the offender or even expulsion, whether temporary or permanent, from Arts Ottawa spaces, events, and/or programs. Organizers/coordinators may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. All reports, anonymous or otherwise, are investigated, discussed, and reviewed by Arts Ottawa Executive Director and/or Board or Directors President before action is taken. Questions, Concerns, or feedback? If you have any questions as to enforcement, review process, reporting process, etc. or have a suggestion to improve our safer spaces policy, please contact us using the button below. Contact Arts Ottawa

Get involved with Arts Ottawa: sign up to volunteer today! Volunteer Info Form First name* Last name* Preferred Pronouns Phone Email Tell us about yourself! What interests you about volunteering with Arts Ottawa? Areas of interest (please select all that apply) Event Support (e.g. guest welcome / check-in / info; setup / decor; logistics / misc.) Communications (e.g. photography / videography; writing / editing; translation; graphic design) Administration (e.g. file organization; data entry; IT / technical support) Please select any events and activities you'd be interested in volunteering for. Conferences / larger scale events Community events (workshops, panels, town halls, community-engaged art) Annual General Meeting Events and activities in the Shenkman Arts Centre Board subcommittees, Young Arts Leaders Collective (YALC), and other committees Please indicate any previous experience that might be relevant. General availability (please select all that apply) Weekdays Evenings Weekends It's complicated (please provide additional details below) Additional availability details Type of commitment (please select all that apply) Ongoing, short-term Ongoing, long-term Occasional / one-off events Event type (please select all that apply) In-person Virtual Additional details if needed Please confirm you’ve read our Safer Spaces Policy. * Do you have any accessibility requirements we should know about? Please list them here. Submit

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

LaLande + Doyle Grant Guidelines DEADLINE: Applications Closed Download Application Form ABOUT THE LALANDE + DOYLE EXHIBITION SPACE GRANT: Carefully review the ARTicipate Project Grant Guidelines and Terms and Conditions before completing the application. Use the guidelines as a reference when completing the application. The ARTicipate LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space Grant supports public presentation and exhibition by visual artists and visual arts groups within the Shenkman Arts Centre’s LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space. This may include individual, collaborative, or group exhibitions. Applicants can apply for up to $2800 in funding to support their exhibition. Four projects will be selected for in this funding stream. CLICK HERE for more information about the LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space at the Shenkman Arts Centre. The program will prioritize projects from artists and arts groups who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQ+, newcomers, immigrants, refugees, Older Adults, People with Disabilities, Francophones, and Rural Residents applying to the program. ELIGIBILITY: Lead applicants must be based in the Ottawa/Gatineau Region, including Pikwàkanagàn and Kitigan Zibi First Nations , and have a mandate to present arts programming or have an arts practice.  APPLICANTS MUST BE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:  An incorporated, not-for-profit arts organization   A non-incorporated arts collective (a group of two or more artists who are active in their discipline)  An individual artist  We welcome collaborative projects, involving more than one artist, arts organization or collective. Only one application is required for collaborative projects submitted by the lead applicant. Collaborators are not required to be based in the Ottawa/Gatineau region if the lead applicant is a local artist. If the application is successful, the lead applicant will be responsible for the grant, budgeting, fulfillment, and reporting requirements.  ELIGIBLE PROJECTS Presentation and exhibition of 2D visual artistic work in the Shenkman Arts Centre’s LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space by local artists and arts organizations based in the Ottawa Region.  Please note: Artwork is to be hung on a track system or placed on the wall in the Exhibition Space.  Free-standing work that cannot be wall-mounted or hung on a track system is ineligible for this granting stream. Projects must take place between September 2025 and May 2026.  *Please contact Alex at Arts Ottawa if you have question on your project’s eligibility in this stream INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS INCLUDE:  Artists and/or arts organizations whose reports for previous ARTicipate Grants are overdue or incomplete  Non-arts organizations (organizations whose primary mandate is not arts related)  For-profit organizations and businesses  Political parties   Government bodies or crown corporations  Board and staff members of Arts Network Ottawa  Resident Art Partners at the Shenkman Arts Centre  Participating jurors or peer-assessors of the ARTicipate Grant Program    INELIGIBLE PROJECTS INCLUDE:  Projects that have previously received an ARTicipate grant (previous ARTicipate Grant recipients are eligible to apply for new projects, provided they meet eligibility criteria)  For-profit, corporate ventures  Non-arts events and activities  Projects that are part of the programming or operations of the Resident Arts Partners of the Shenkman Arts Centre ELIGIBLE EXPENSES  Only expenses directly related to the project are eligible.  A full list of eligible expenses can be found in the FAQ and budget section of the application form. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Download your application package found above. Read all instructions carefully and complete all application questions and the budget form. Email your final application document and support materials to articipate@artsottawa.ca. You will receive confirmation when we have your application. Application Deadline: Applications Closed There are two required components to your LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space application: Completed application form with budget Support materials (attached with your application) Projects must take place in the Lalande + Doyle Exhibition Space. Late projects may be subject to grant repayment. Exact dates will be determined between Shenkman Arts Centre staff and the successful applicant upon receiving the grant. Recorded (audio/video) applications are also accepted , and we encourage applicants to contact Arts Ottawa for any additional accessibility arrangements.  SUPPORT MATERIAL Applicants are to submit support material to be reviewed by the peer assessment committee.  Support material should demonstrate the applicant’s previous work and accomplishments as they relate to the application. This can include photos, video, links, or other documentation of past or proposed activities.   It is important that all materials are labelled with a description of the contents. BUDGET FORM All applicants are required to complete a detailed budget in their application form, outlining the allocation of grant funding, any additional funding sources and costs of project delivery. Grant recipients will have their projects insurance costs covered by Arts Ottawa and need not include this in their budget. Please reference this checklist to ensure you have properly completed all steps before submitting your application package APPLICATION ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT CRITERIA The criteria used in the assessment process are the artistic relevance of the project, its viability and impact on the community. Both the application form and support material will be evaluated. Priority is given to projects meeting the funding objectives of the ARTicipate Project Grant.   Please refer to the assessment criteria below for more details: ARTISTIC RELEVANCE Project concept is distinct and unique Applicant has a clear vision and artistic goals that reflect the applicant’s mandate and/or artistic practice Relevant and compelling support materials PROJECT VIABILITY Demonstrated skills and capacity to successfully deliver project Effective budgeting, including an appropriate breakdown of expenses Clear plan for marketing and audience development and engagement IMPACT OF THE PROJECT Engages and/or reflects priority groups outlined in grant guidelines Clear impact on the development of the artist, group, or artistic project Appropriate use of available spaces and resources within the Shenkman Arts Centre RELEASE OF FUNDS Successful applicants will be notified by email. The grant recipient will work with Shenkman Arts Centre staff for final confirmation of booking dates within the facility. Funding will be released upon signing Booking and Grant contracts with the Shenkman Arts Centre and Arts Ottawa, and attendance of a mandatory ARTicipate Project Grant orientation session. REPORTING  Mandatory Final Reporting Forms will be provided to grant recipients. Grant recipients are encouraged to review the Final Reporting Form at the beginning of the project to ensure that they are prepared to collect and report on all required components.  This report must be submitted within 2 months upon the completion of funded project activities. IF YOU ARE NOT AWARDED FUNDING Grant assessment decisions are final. Applicants will receive a letter to indicate that they have not received funding. Applicants are encouraged to reapply at the next deadline. Applicants are encouraged to speak with the Program Manager to receive Jury feedback. The program’s limited funds are not sufficient to fund all applications, regardless of their merit. 

Short description Help shape our new role: Artist in Residence in ARTicipate Short description