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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 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 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

Arts Ottawa was created as a result of a merger of Arts Network Ottawa and Ottawa Arts Council. History Arts Ottawa was created as a result of a merger of Arts Network Ottawa and Ottawa Arts Council in order to bring Ottawa’s arts community under a united voice. Learn more about all phases of the engagement process that brought us to where we are today. Ottawa Arts Council Ottawa Arts Council was established in 1982 with a mandate to advocate for the arts in Ottawa, connect artists of all disciplines and backgrounds by providing information and skills development, organize an annual festival, and to establish a municipal arts centre in the urban core. Following significant financial obstacles, the Council re-examined its mandate in the nineties to focus its efforts as an arts service organization. Through increased financial resources, the Council solidified its role as an arts and culture advocate. Arts Network Ottawa Arts Network Ottawa began in 1980 as Arts Gloucester, a volunteer umbrella organization created to serve Gloucester. In 1987, Gloucester Arts Council incorporated as a non-profit charity and in 1997, signed a purchase of service agreement with the City of Gloucester to provide service and professional assistance to groups, becoming the first arts council in Ontario to do so with their municipality. The following year a similar agreement was signed with the Township of Cumberland. Following municipal amalgamation in Ottawa, the organization later rebranded to Arts Ottawa East, then AOE Arts Council, then Arts Network Ottawa. A timeline of Merging Ottawa Arts Council & Arts Network Ottawa 2000 Initial merger discussions for Arts Ottawa East and Council for the Arts in Ottawa 2012 City of Ottawa publishes Renewed Action Plan 2019 Ottawa Cultural Alliance's Cultural Roadmap encourages sector collaboration 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic: Increased collaboration between OAC and ANO 2021 Financial analysis conducted by Brynaert Brennan & Associates 2022 Phased engagement process with local consultants May 2023 Develop community co-creation framework to pursue merger October 2023 Announcement of OAC and ANO Merger and Community Feedback Survey December 2023 Community Conversations March 2024 Design thinking workshops held June 2024 Workshop Organizational Model at Arts Leaders' Breakfast and present at AGMs 2025 New Arts Service Organization and organizational model implementation Collaboration After the amalgamation of the City of Ottawa in 2000, both organizations worked collaboratively on arts advocacy, including in the early 2000s on Ottawa’s first arts and heritage master plan (Ottawa 20/20). Preliminary merger discussions were had by staff and boards at the time, but it was determined that each organization would be stronger in achieving unique goals for the community as separate organizations. Collaborative work did continue: both organizations partnered with the City of Ottawa and on Join the Crowd, an arts awareness campaign; a community-wide campaign called My Ottawa Includes Culture in 2004 that stopped a proposed 80% cut to Ottawa City Council arts funding; and again in 2008 partnered to run Our Ottawa Still Includes Culture, another rally in response to a City Council proposed 54% cut to arts funding. Both also participated on the Steering Committee and in consultations that resulted in the City of Ottawa’s 2013-18 Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Culture and Heritage. In 2015, both organizations co-formed Ottawa Cultural Alliance with five other cultural umbrella groups to undertake joint initiatives to strengthen Ottawa’s cultural sector. From 2017-2019, the Alliance completed a community-driven, community-wide Arms-Length Cultural Development Feasibility Study, hosted an Ottawa Culture Summit, and facilitated the creation of this new community-driven A Liveable City for All: A New Cultural Roadmap for Ottawa 2019-22. Building Trust Arts Network Ottawa and Ottawa Arts Council reinforced their partnership through the COVID-19 lockdowns. As the priorities and needs in the sector sharpened, a stronger unified approach continued to be taken by the organizations and consistently saw increased impact and results when working in collaboration. We actively engaged with key internal invested parties, including board members, staff and funders, to understand their perspectives. This process developed a careful yet important environment of openness to a merger between Arts Network Ottawa and Ottawa Arts Council, which generated excitement and curiosity about the process and its possibilities. On October 30, 2023 we made a formal announcement about our plans to merge into a united organization and voice for the arts in Ottawa. On October 30, 2023 we made a formal announcement about the merger. By coming together as a merged organization, we can provide a stronger, more unified response to the complex issues facing the arts community in Ottawa. We are driven by the urgent need to respond to today’s challenges in the arts sector. Learn more about all phases of the engagement process that brought us to where we are today. 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

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 Learning Labs Exploring governance, advocacy, artist leadership, and collaboration. Join us Co-Creation Labs Designing a Shared Leadership Governance Model Learn More Core Leadership Circle Mobilizes action, connects sectors, and guides collective vision Learn More Advisory Circle Amplifies arts voices and connects communities to action Learn More Action Labs Tackle urgent issues, driving sector-wide change Take Action Membership Obtain resources, connections, and support our advocacy efforts 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 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 Jordan and Olivia in Conversation: The Artists in Residence in Government meet Report: Arts Impact Calculator Register now: Co-Creation Labs | April 24 or 26 Call to Artists - Artist Takeovers City of Ottawa Cultural Plan and Funding Framework Review Ottawa Nightlife Council City Budget 2025 On Our Radar Co-Creating Arts Ottawa Q1 & Q2 of 2025 January Launch of Open Office Hours learn more January Launch of Learning Labs learn more January 31 Open Office Hours: Welcome to Arts Ottawa February 19 Learning Lab no.1 : Governance Models and Advocacy in the Arts Sector learn more February 28 Open Office Hours: Discussing Arts Awards and their importance March 22 Laboratoire d'apprentissage 2 : Les artistes en tant que leaders communautaires en savoir plus March 28 Open Office Hours: Discussing Mentorship within the Arts register April 2 Learning Lab no.3 : Redefining Volunteerism in Governance register April Open Office Hours: Date and topic to come stay informed May Learning Lab Reports will be available May Launch of Co-Creation Labs learn more To Come Co-Creation Labs, Action Labs, Open Office Hours, AGM's, and more. Learn More Core 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 Tackle urgent issues, driving sector-wide change Become a Member Membership Obtain resources, connections, and support our advocacy efforts 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 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-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 CO-CREATION LABS ARE COMING UP: April 24 or April 26th 9:00am - 1:00pm (doors open at 8:45) Dominion Chalmers Centre REGISTER NOW Join us for our Collaborative Co-Creation Labs: Designing a Shared Leadership Governance Model. CO-CREATION LAB SESSION DETAILS. 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.

We’re reimagining governance at Arts Ottawa with collaboration, transparency, and community input at the core. Co-Creating Arts Ottawa We’re reimagining governance at Arts Ottawa with collaboration, transparency, and community input at the core. Photo: Quest Save the date: Co-Creation Labs on April 24 & 26 Arts Ottawa is taking a new approach to addressing both the new and old challenges the arts sector faces. We are committed to driving change through a collaborative and inclusive model, fostering deeper community relationships and promoting innovation. Our new organizational model is founded upon the belief in collective action as the pathway to innovation and solutions for the complex challenges facing the arts sector today. The new model promotes a shift from centralized to distributed decision-making through collective leadership. Our Learning Labs and Co-Creation Labs will introduce key themes: governance, advocacy, artist leadership, trust-building, and cross-sector collaboration. To collectively shape Arts Ottawa’s governance structures, Arts Ottawa interest holders (artists, culture workers, and community members) will work together in co-learning and co-creation. This work will directly shape how the Core Leadership Circle (CLC) and Community Advisory Circle (CAC) will be formed, recruited, and run. Throughout this process we aim to create solutions that are inclusive, sustainable, and impactful. And we want to do this together . •••••••••• Built with the results of 2023-24’s Community Conversations and Co-Creation Workshops , we have introduced a model for shared leadership, distributed decision-making, and collective action for the organization. COMPLETED STEPS: → Launching Learning Labs : Learn and explore innovative ideas around collective advocacy, governance, leadership, and collaboration. THE NEXT STEPS: → Convening Co-Creation Labs - April 24 & 26: Workshops where the community uses the learnings and insights from the Learning Labs to contribute in shaping governance structures. 
 Labs will play a crucial role in how we structure governance within our 
organization to best prioritize the community’s needs. → Forming the Core Leadership Circle: The CLC will be responsible for strategic decision-making and organizational direction. They will work with staff and board of our Arts Ottawa. 
 → Assembling the Community Advisory Circle: The CAC is built from what we’ve learned about community needs in the Labs. They report directly to the Core Leadership Circle and advocates for the community’s priorities. 
 These groups will be formed based off the insights and results of the Learning and Co-Creation Labs. Co-Creating Arts Ottawa is funded by:

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 Gatherings that cultivate leadership, collaboration, and sustainability in the arts sector Arts & Cultural Leadership Series View Program Monthly discussions on rotating topics that interest the arts community Open Office Hours View Program Mentorship Program View Program Community-Engaged Arts We’re reimagining governance at Arts Ottawa with collaboration, transparency, and community input at the core. Co-Creating Arts Ottawa Get Involved Embedding artists to solve civic challenges Artist in Residence in Government View Program Neighbourhood Arts Ottawa View Program Takeover our Instagram and showcase your work! Artist Takeovers View Program Funding, recognition and showcasing opportunities ARTicipate Project Grants View Program Arts Ottawa Awards 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.

Monthly discussions on rotating topics that interest the arts community Open Office Hours Monthly discussions on rotating topics that interest the arts community Photo: Brooklyn Marok Upcoming Open Office Hours: March 28th 12:00 - 1:00pm over ZOOM This months discussion: Mentorship and how it is an invaluable practice for personal and professional development. REGISTER Mentorship is an invaluable practice for personal and professional development. When applied to arts and cultural sectors, it can help build support networks for sustainable, equitable, inclusive communities of learning, and contribute to talent cultivation, retention, and succession planning for the sector’s resiliency and growth. On March 28th, Arts Ottawa will convene both arts and non-arts individuals and service-delivery partners to share experiences, resources, and develop their own networks. Our goal is to learn from each other and celebrate past-present-future successes of mentorship participants. All are welcome, regardless of experience! REGISTER ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• About Open Office Hours Monthly online roundtable discussions with a rotating focus on specific topics related to sustainability and resilience in the sector, where community members can connect on specific issues through an accessible online platform. It will be a platform to scale deeper into the key outcomes from the ACLS topics and further onboard community perspective into the decision-making. Notice of Open Office Hours will be shared in our e-newsletters and on Arts Ottawa social media channels. Come be a part of the discussion! This service is funded by

Sponsorship We know the arts help build strong communities and we can help you tap into Ottawa’s creative economy. Our programs and events involve thousands of residents every year and engage representatives from local businesses and the three levels of governments. Let us help you grow your business by supporting the arts, and help us create a city where creativity and community thrive. Reach new audiences and make an impact by sponsoring one of our programs or events. All our sponsorships are fully customizable. Photo: Brooklyn Marok Professional Learning Develop arts entrepreneurs by sponsoring a Learning Series or sponsor of the Ottawa's Creative Continuum Conference, Mentorship for young arts professionals (annual), new Career Management and Arts Entrepreneurship Bootcamps. Arts Awards The investment you make demonstrates that you recognize the importance of artists who are aspiring and thriving in our community, and the contribution they make to our city. With your help, we can continue to create an environment where equity and diversity are celebrated, and artistic achievement is acknowledged and rewarded. Community-Engaged Arts Projects Engage with the community through our Neighbourhood Arts Ottawa program. Contact us to help support a community-engaged art project. Media Sponsorships We rely on in-kind agreements with local media to reach many audiences about our programming and events. In-Kind Products and Services Our events bring together dozens to hundreds of people from across our city, and in-kind donations are a great way to increase your visibility. Request a meeting or sponsorship package: Nicole Milne Co-Leadership, Operations and Revenue Generation nicole@artsottawa.ca We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the businesses and organizations that have generously supported and partnered with Arts Ottawa; their commitment to fostering a vibrant cultural landscape has made a significant impact on our community. Our sponsors and partners play a crucial role in developing a thriving arts ecosystem, allowing us to continue our mission of advancing the arts in our region.


Short description Register now: Co-Creation Labs | April 24 or 26 Short description

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 Report: Arts Impact Calculator City of Ottawa Cultural Plan and Funding Framework Review Ottawa Nightlife Council On Our Radar Report: Analysis of Cultural Workers in Ontario

Short description Report: Arts Impact Calculator Short description