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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 June 26 - Decolonizing Evaluation with Dr. Gladys Rowe | REGISTER Arts Ottawa's First Community Forum - Outcomes and next steps APPLY NOW: Artist in Residence in ARTicipate Watch the CWB Learning Labs online now 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 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 Lab of the CWB Learning Lab Series Learn more April 23 - Arts Ottawa's First Community Forum Learn more April 29 - Third Lab of the CWB Learning Lab Series Learn more May May 13 - Fourth Lab of the CWB Learning Lab Series Learn more May 27 - AGM June June 1st - Fifth Lab of the CWB Learning Lab Series Learn more June 19th - Last Lab of the CWB Learning Lab Series 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

Short description June 26 - Decolonizing Evaluation with Dr. Gladys Rowe | REGISTER 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 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

Connect with local artists and give back to your community Volunteer Connect with local artists and give back to your community Photo: Quest Want to register as a volunteer with Arts Ottawa? Fill out the form below: Volunteer Intake Form If you have any questions around volunteering, please email us at info@artsottawa.ca Please note that all volunteers must review and abide by our Volunteer Handbook . The Volunteer Hub Registered volunteers can access the Volunteer Hub Visit the Volunteer Hub If you have difficulty accessing the volunteer hub please contact info@artsottawa.ca Shaping the Volunteer Experience Together At Arts Ottawa, volunteers are at the heart of our work, from helping with events to shaping how we make decisions. But we know that volunteering isn’t always easy or accessible. That’s why we invited community members to join us in a co-creation session to map out what the volunteer experience should feel like, from the first time someone hears about us to when they move on to other things. Together, we looked at the full volunteer journey across five stages: Attract → Onboard → Engage → Grow → Exit What We Heard: A Volunteer Journey That Feels Welcoming, Clear, and Meaningful Attract People are drawn to Arts Ottawa when they feel they belong and when the purpose of the work is clear. But barriers like confusing language (“art speak”), lack of financial support, or not seeing themselves represented can make it harder to say yes. Onboard Volunteers want to feel seen and supported from the start. They asked for buddy systems, clear training, and welcome kits. When onboarding is unclear or inconsistent, it creates stress. Engage The key to keeping volunteers involved is feeling appreciated and connected. Good communication, flexible roles, and small gestures like food or thank-you messages go a long way. When roles are unclear or people feel left out, they start to disconnect. Grow Many volunteers want to build new skills or take on more responsibility. But we heard that there’s often no clear path forward. Mentorship, learning opportunities, and a way to track growth would help people stay longer and feel proud of their work. Exit When volunteers leave, they want closure. They suggested things like exit interviews, reference letters, and the chance to stay connected as mentors or alumni. Without this, volunteers leave without being thanked or without a way to return. What’s Next: How We’re Responding We’ve taken all this feedback to heart. Here’s how we’re starting to make changes in ways that work for our small team and help build long-term support for volunteers. 1. Laying the Groundwork for a Volunteer Hub As we grow, we plan to create a simple online space with everything in one place: open roles, training info, FAQs, and ways to get involved. When: Fall 2025 How It Helps: Makes it easier for people to get involved and stay involved at their own pace 2. Clear Role Snapshots We’re writing short and easy-to-read descriptions for all our main volunteer roles. These will explain what’s involved, how to get started, and any skills you can build along the way. When: Posted online by Fall of 2025 How It Helps: Makes it easier for people to find a role that fits them and understand what they’ll gain from the experience 3. Ongoing Recognition Dedicated monthly shoutouts to volunteers on social media channels showing our appreciation more often. We’ll also build a special recognition moment once a year at an event. When: January 2026 How It Helps: Keeps volunteers feeling valued, seen, and connected to the bigger picture 4. Quarterly Volunteer Meetups We’ll host low-key gatherings (online or in-person) every few months to say thank you, share updates, and stay connected. Volunteers can help plan or host. When: First session in March 2026 How It Helps: Builds relationships and makes space for feedback and celebration 5. A Better Welcome for Every Volunteer We’re creating a simple welcome sheet and matching each new volunteer with a contact person. This ensures you know what to expect and who to turn to for help, whether you're joining a short-term event or helping shape our programs. When: Starting Summer 2026 How It Helps: Reduces confusion and supports a stronger sense of belonging from Day 1 6. Exit and Return Pathways We’ll invite volunteers who are stepping back to fill out a short exit form. It’s a chance to reflect on what worked, what could improve, and whether they’d like to return or mentor in the future. When: Piloting in 2026 How It Helps: Builds long-term relationships and helps us learn from every volunteer experience We’re Building With You This roadmap is a starting point, and we’ll keep shaping it with your input. We’re working with limited staff and resources, so each change will be rolled out gradually. But the goal is clear: a volunteer experience that is welcoming, flexible, and rooted in community care. Want to get involved or offer feedback? Email Joni Hamlin at joni@artsottawa.ca Looking for other volunteer opportunities in Ottawa? Check out Volunteer Ottawa & Ottawa Festival Network

Tackle urgent issues, driving sector-wide change Action Labs and the Core Leadership Circle Tackle urgent issues, driving sector-wide change Photo: Jamaal Khaleefa ACTION LABS IN PROGRESS:→ Shared Ground Initiative (click to learn more) → Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts (click to learn more) Arts Ottawa is listening closely to the local arts community. We are working to understand how we can collectively address the opportunities, challenges and priorities the sector is facing, that shape the sector’s role in city building. Arts Ottawa held three Collaborative Strategy Sessions to pilot a Core Leadership Circle (CLC) in late fall 2025. Community advisory members, partners, and sector leaders—those actively engaged in addressing challenges around spaces, local economic development, and impact measurement—shared experiences, tested ideas, and explored ways to coordinate collective action. By convening this CLC, we began building stronger connections across the sector to ensure Arts Ottawa’s work is informed by and reflects the realities of , Ottawa’s arts community. During our Collaborative Strategy Session on November 27, 2025, Ava Marguerite, one of our CAMs, joined to observe the session and share their experience and key takeaways as an Arts Correspondent. You can read the full article here. From these conversations, we and the CLC identified three Strategic Priority Pillars. Arts Ottawa is reframing these as interconnected components of Ottawa’s civic infrastructure. Physical Infrastructure: Artists need clearer pathways to engage with physical spaces, along with practical guidance on civic systems (planning development, zoning), and capital projects. Knowledge Infrastructure: Capturing and communicating sector impact is critical. Currently, data and storytelling are fragmented, and participants emphasized the need for simple, shared tools to make this work more effective. Economic Infrastructure: The sector is exploring ways to strengthen local economic development by supporting fair work, local ownership, equity, and long-term sustainability. Effective coordination and shared messaging are key to making this possible. Together, these layers create the infrastructure of cultural life — physical, economic, and social systems that sustain creativity and civic connection. Through this work, Arts Ottawa’s role in the sector has become clear: we serve as a backbone, convener, knowledge hub, and capacity builder, centering equity and representation. Looking ahead to 2026–2027, we will focus strategically on these core roles, engaging in project leadership selectively to maximize collective impact, support sustainable and coordinate sector growth. More about the Core Leadership Circle The Core Leadership Circle acts as a catalyst for activation, formed around each of our Action Labs. These purpose-driven groups bring together individuals, organizations, and advisors from both within and beyond the arts to support, shape, and champion the work being done. Each CLC is dedicated to exploring a key issue in the arts, offering insight, strategy, and connections, and is dissolved once that phase of the work evolves. Through its leadership, the CLC will help guide outcomes from Action Labs such as Shared Ground (which explores the potential of underused spaces as cultural hubs) and the Arts Ottawa Awards ( which celebrate and elevate the contributions of local artists and cultural leaders). More about Action Labs Action Labs are central to how we address key issues in the arts community. Each Lab focuses on a specific topic identified as important to artists and the community by our CAM. They may take the form of research groups, planning teams, advocacy hubs, or spaces for idea-sharing and collaboration. Each Lab is supported by a Core Leadership Circle, a group that helps guide the work and ensure its impact is shared with those who can drive broader change. Labs are formed in response to clear needs and conclude once their objectives are achieved, such as completing a project or sharing insights with the community. 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.

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 Learn More Exploring governance, advocacy, and artist-led collaboration to design a Shared Leadership Model. Learning and Co-Creation Labs Learn more 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 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 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 Come together to shape shared priorities for Ottawa's arts sector Community Forums 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 Learn More ARTicipate Project Grants 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.

We’ve reimagined governance at Arts Ottawa, centering collaboration, transparency, and community input in everything we do.  Arts Ottawa Governance Model 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)   Our Community Advisory Members (formerly Membership) are artists, cultural workers, and arts organizations who help guide our work. They’re invited to share insights on what’s most urgent in the arts community, helping shape our priorities and focus. CAMs can engage by attending events, joining working groups, completing surveys, and more. Through it all, they serve as a key checkpoint, making sure our actions reflect the needs and priorities of the arts community. LEARN MORE AND BECOME A CAM HERE. Core Leadership Circle (CLC)   The Core Leadership Circle acts as a catalyst for activation, formed around each of our Action Labs. As each Lab explores a key issue in the arts, a dedicated CLC is brought together to support and shape the work—then dissolved once that phase of the work evolves. These temporary, purpose-driven groups bring together individuals, organizations, and advisors from across and beyond the arts, offering insight, strategy, and connections. The CLC helps guide our approach, support momentum, and champion the outcomes that emerge. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLC AND ACTION LABS HERE. Board of Directors   The Board remains a crucial part of our governance structure, providing legal, financial, and strategic oversight. Their primary focus is on fiduciary responsibilities, ensuring financial stability, compliance, and supporting long-term planning. While they will be less involved in day-to-day operations, we heard the need for this group to stay connected to community voices — so we’re building stronger links between the Board and our advisory and leadership circles, with some members participating directly in the Core Leadership Circle (CLC). MEET THE BOARD. 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. Co-Creating Arts Ottawa is funded by:

Come together to shape shared priorities for Ottawa's arts sector Community Forums Come together to shape shared priorities for Ottawa's arts sector Photo: Brooklyn Marok Arts Ottawa's first Community Forum: Turning Priorities into Action took place April 23rd, you can read about the outcomes HERE. WHAT'S NEXT: The conversations and priorities identified through the first session of the Community Forum are only the beginning. The next phase is about turning shared ideas into coordinated action across Ottawa’s arts sector. Complete the Community Survey If you participated in the Forum — or want to contribute to the ongoing conversation — we encourage you to complete the Arts Ottawa Community Input Survey. This survey asks: what do you need to play your part, and what campaign ideas do you suggest? Your responses will help identify the supports, partnerships, and collective actions needed to strengthen Ottawa’s arts sector and shape advocacy and organizing efforts. TAKE THE SURVEY Attend the AGM Each year, Arts Ottawa hosts its Annual General Meeting (AGM) — a yearly gathering of members, community, and other invested parties. At the AGM, Arts Ottawa presents its financials, annual report, and organizational updates, while invested parties have the opportunity to vote on issues at hand. This year’s AGM is also an opportunity to continue the conversations sparked through the Forum, hear how outcomes will inform future work, and stay engaged in shaping the direction of Ottawa’s arts community. REGISTER SAVE THE DATE: May 27, 2026 – Follow-up Community Forum where we will build on the first forum, share key outcomes, and outline next steps in unifying our voice ahead of the upcoming election. About Arts Ottawa's Community Forums: Arts Ottawa Community Forums are facilitated working sessions where artists, cultural workers, and community members come together to shape shared priorities for Ottawa’s arts sector. We focus on collective challenges and practical next steps across economic, social, and physical infrastructure. All the background and insights can be found here . The purpose of these sessions is to: share where the sector is going test priorities and assumptions co-create next steps across economic, social, and physical infrastructure create clear feedback loops into decision-making What Makes an Arts Ottawa Forum Different? Designed, not open mic Participation is structured around real questions Arts Ottawa is actively working on. Co-creation, not consultation Participants help shape priorities, not just react to them. Visible outcomes Each Forum produces documented insights, decisions, and next steps. Repeatable system Forums are part of an annual cycle, not standalone events. For our CAMs As part of your role as a Community Advisory Member, and AO commitments to co-creation and community-led initiatives, we invite CAMs to contribute to the design of the Community Forums. The questions in the survey below will support how the Forum is delivered, and how CAM participation is being structured. You can become a CAM her e. Fill out the survey

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 2026 Learning Lab Series: Community Wealth Building (CWB) Join us on June 19th for the final Learning Lab: CWB: Overview Register 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. Across six sessions between March and June, participants will hear from guest speakers, experiment with practical tools, and work together in workshops. These sessions will lead into co-creation labs where the community will collaborate to build an economic coordination strategy that reflects shared priorities and expertise. 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 . June 19th 9:15am - 1:00pm (Programming starts at 10am) Bayview Yards Join us on June 19 for the last session of Arts Ottawa’s 'Community Wealth Building (CWB)' learning series. This is a hybrid event: the first portion (presentations) will be available virtually, while the workshops are in-person only. This session will re-explore Community wealth Building as a whole and open conversation on how it can support the sustainability and growth of Ottawa’s creative sector. The session will include a presentation followed by a roundtable discussion. Come with your questions for the Q&A portion of the event, and be ready to workshop your own ideas and insights following our time with the guest speakers. CWB 2026 Learning Lab Schedule 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 June 19th CWB Overview REGISTER Watch the 2026 CWB Learning Lab Series online now: 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.

What if we had better ways to calculate the social impact that the arts contribute to local communities?   Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts What if we had better ways to calculate the social impact that the arts contribute to local communities?   Photo: Brooklyn Marok Upcoming Social Impact Evaluation Learning Lab: Decolonizing Evaluation with Dr. Gladys Rowe June 26th, 12:00pm - 1:00pm Online via ZOOM Register here Decolonizing evaluation is structural, relational, and embodied work. This session invites you to deconstruct western, hierarchical evaluation structures that often prioritize administrative compliance and instead explore anti-colonial frameworks for meaning-making. Learn more The focus shifts from measuring outcomes to building Relational Accountability. We will introduce and explore the Four Rs: Respect, Responsibility, Reciprocity, and Relational Accountability (Rowe et al, 2026) as an ongoing practice for centering justice, belonging, and right relationship in the arts ecosystem. Through pre-work reflection prompts, a screening of the film “When We Say Evaluation it Isn’t the Same Thing”, and interactive framework exploration, this workshop provides a vital space to challenge and unlearn assumptions about success. Participants will actively engage with creative storytelling and intentional reflection to articulate how the 4Rs can transform their daily evaluative work, ensuring their values and goals are seen and actualized in the world around them. Pre-Work Reflections These are examples and will be finalized in conversation. Please reflect on these questions prior to our session to help ground our collective work: What values are you trying to articulate and actualize in your creative work? What gifts do you bring to this circle, and why is decolonizing evaluation important to you personally? How might we challenge and unlearn what we think we "know" about measuring Success? About Dr. Gladys Rowe Gladys Rowe Dr. Gladys Rowe (she/her) is Muskego Inninew (Swampy Cree) with membership in Fox Lak Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba, Canada. She also holds relations with ancestors from Ireland, England, Norway, and Ukraine, and carries these lineages with respect and responsibility in all of her work. Gladys’ educational background is in social work, and she hold a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies (Social Work, Indigenous Studies, and English, Film & Theatre). She is the Director of Indigenous Insights Collective. Gladys has over 19 years of experience as an Indigenous community facilitator, program designer, educator, researcher, and evaluator. She has been consulting full-time since October 2020, providing evaluation, learning, and strategic support for projects and organizations across Turtle Island. This builds on her long-standing work since 2008 in leading and supporting learning, evaluation, development, and innovation initiatives that bridge community knowledge and institutional systems. Her roots in Winnipeg are deep with her experience as the founding Research and Evaluation Director at The Winnipeg Boldness Project and her work with Huddle South Central and Huddle Manitoba being pivotal projects to support organizations serving youth and families in Winnipeg. As an Indigenous evaluator and artist, Gladys integrates arts-based methods—including poetry, collage, zine-making, and visual storytelling—to support reflection, data storytelling, and collective meaning-making. Her approach is rooted in Indigenous, decolonial, and anti-colonial frameworks. Ceremony and land-based practices shape how she designs, implements, and makes sense of evaluation processes. Gladys approaches the work as a respectful guest rather than an insider, centering accountability to the communities and lands where the work takes place. Her practice recognizes that systems transformation happens through relationships, dialogue, and creativity—holding space for complexity, healing, and emergence. She also hosts Indigenous Insights: An Evaluation Podcast, launched in Fall 2022, which has released over 50 episodes and received more than 27,000 global listens. Through this platform, Gladys uplifts stories of Indigenous and decolonial evaluators, artists, and community leaders who are reimagining what evaluation can be when grounded in values, stories, and shared humanity. Season 5 has recently launched About the Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts Action Lab In 2024, Arts Ottawa embarked on a collaborative research project with Third Angle , funded by the Ottawa Community Foundation. This project explored the value and feasibility of a regional Arts Impact Calculator: a tool that helps Ottawa arts organizations measure and communicate their social and economic impact. Together, Arts Ottawa and Stephanie Nadeau from Third Angle identified gaps and opportunities to strengthen local capacity and better communicate the social impact of the creative sectors. Stephanie and Third Angle then synthesized the findings into the Impact Calculator Feasibility Study . VIEW THE IMPACT CALCULATOR FEASIBILITY STUDY HERE PAST EVENTS IN THIS SERIES: Get.Together. December 15, 2025 Read more Strengthening the Case for the Arts March 14, 2026 Read more Why Social Impact Evaluation? We know the arts contribute to vibrant, healthy community and a thriving local economy. According to the Ontario Arts Council, Eastern Ontario’s Arts and Culture sector generates $2.7 billion in GDP. Yet still, current tools for measuring social impact lack consistency and accessibility across the sector. Why Measure Impact? Show the value of arts to partners and the community. Attract investment and build support. Advocate for funding and policy change. Through this Action lab, Arts Ottawa aims to address how we can use and build upon the Impact Calculator to capture the individual and collective impact of arts activities in Ottawa. Meet the Action Lab Prototypers MAEVE TAVAKOLI Project WARP projectwarp.ca | @projectwarp_ WARP is a paid learning and mentorship opportunity co-produced and co-facilitated by a consortium of DIY music and arts organizations in the Algonquin-Anishnaabe territory. Our goal is to equip and support early- and mid-career individuals and artist collectives with project development essentials, providing them the resources and tools needed to create safe(r), more accessible, and more sustainable experiences. NAHEEN AHMED BEING Studio www.beingstudio.ca | @beingstudio_ott BEING Studio is a Non-profit that provides accessible arts programs both online and in-studio for adults with developmental disabilities. I hope to learn how to assess impact of services and events for general public in order to secure grants that can help maintain the Studio's mission to support people with disabilities. RAE LANDRIAU Create Change Collective createchangecollective.weebly.com | @createchangecollective Create Change Collective is a community-based organization focused on environmental education using art. The aim of our work is to engage community in outdoor education and empower them to take climate action. Our goals in the Action Lab are to (1) develop more comprehensive methods to assess the impact of our work, going beyond standard quantitative data collection and (2) exploring practical frameworks for decolonizing evaluation. EMEL TABAKU Civic Imagination Lab info2047785.wixsite.com/imagination-lab | @civicimaginationlab As co-founder of Civic Imagination Lab, I help create spaces where people come together to imagine and build more just, joyful, and regenerative futures. Through creative workshops, storytelling, and collaborative dialogue, our work supports youth, artists, and community members to strengthen policy literacy, shape public conversations, and envision bold new systems from the ground up. CANDIDE UYANZE www.candide.xyz | @ candide.xyZ My name is Candide, and I'm a Creative Technologist working at the intersections of digital media, access, storytelling, and open source software. As a past WARP participant, I organized a hybrid video editing workshop series for local BIPOC artists, designers, and creatives. As an emerging event organizer, I'm eager to learn more about the tools and emerging frameworks for social impact evaluation. I also want to explore alternative, anti-colonial, and accessible approaches to the field. BLUE PETTIES Queer Arts & Culture Network @queerartsandculture The Queer Arts and Culture Network (QACN) is a community-based, by and for Queer Art Organization that serves Queer and gender-diverse artists and creators in Ottawa. QACN is dedicated to empowering creators, reimagining systems, and co-creating communities of care. We are looking to build our capacity in the areas of impact evaluation, community-based storytelling, and sustainability. MIRIAM FARAJA Integration 101 Hub integration101hub.org | @the101hub We are a team working at the intersection of art, technology, and social justice. Through visual storytelling, photography, and participatory projects, we explore memory, integration, resilience, and power within marginalized communities. Through Integration 101 Hub, we create artistic and technological programs that help youth and adults share their stories, using art as a tool for expression, healing, and connection. Our work centers lived experience and aims to foster meaningful dialogue, strengthen communities, and contribute to lasting social change. EMILY RAMSAY & MERAL TAN Digital Arts Resource Centre digitalartsresourcecentre.ca | @ digitalartsresourcecentre We are a media arts organization that supports artists and creators at every stage of the creative process, with a focus on community, collaboration, and accessibility. We also work to amplify the voices of grassroots and equity-deserving organizations, helping ensure their stories and contributions are recognized within the broader cultural landscape. By participating in this lab, we hope to strengthen our ability to document and communicate the social impact of grassroots arts initiatives, and to develop tools that help highlight the cultural and community value of this work. Meet our Action Lab Advisors These advisors will support the Action Lab as mentors to contribute expertise, findings, and resources from their work in research, evaluation, or practical tools. Robin Sokoloski From Mass Culture Robin Sokoloski (she/her) is a dedicated arts and culture professional based in Tkaronto/Toronto with over two decades of experience in the field. Currently serving as the Director of Research and Programming at Mass Culture, she collaborates with academics, funders, and arts practitioners to mobilize the creation, amplification, and community-informed research that supports the arts sector’s growth and sustainability. At Mass Culture, Robin has spent the last three years project managing Research in Residence: Arts’ Civic Impact, a national research initiative that led to the development of three qualitative arts impact frameworks. These tools help arts organizations better understand their civic impact through qualitative indicators. She also leads Mass Culture’s Evaluative Thinking Initiative, which supports a culture of reflection and continuous learning across the arts sector, and stewards the DNA: Data Narratives for the Arts program, which integrates data practices into the daily work of arts organizations through training, tools, and collaborative learning. Robin currently serves on the Board of the Toronto Arts Council and as a member of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Centre for Free Expression’s Steering Committee. She has recently taught a course on Art Policy, Equity, and Activism for Centennial College’s Arts Management program, and developed and taught a course on Cultural Entrepreneurship for MacEwan University’s Arts and Cultural Management program. Shanice Bernicky From Mass Culture Shanice Bernicky (she/her, elle) is a media maker and PhD student at Carleton University’s School of Journalism & Communication. She completed a Master’s research-creation thesis in Media Studies at Concordia University, as a non-linear documentary exploring themes of domestic violence, heritage, and multi-racial identity from the axis point of natural Black hair. As a freelance video editor, she has worked on a myriad of projects on rich topics such as Indigenous laws and practices outside the settler-Canadian legal framework, feminist commentary on science and technology studies, and environmental issues connecting the East and the West. At Carleton, Shanice researches equity practices in the settler-Canadian public arts institutions with the continued support of Mass Culture. When she’s not working, she can be found knitting or with her hands in earth. Natasha Qureshi From Sympl Solutions Natasha Qureshi is the Founder and Principal of Sympl Solutions, a Toronto-based consultancy that bridges strategy, finance, and data for the arts and nonprofit sectors. She is also the Co-Creator of ArtMetrica, a platform helping arts and culture organizations measure and communicate their impact through intuitive dashboards and shared data frameworks. A Fulbright Scholar with a background in Computer Science and an MBA from Cornell University, Natasha combines technical and strategic expertise to help the arts and culture sector tell its stories through data, strengthen its value to communities, and shape a more sustainable and equitable creative ecosystem. Action Lab Goals and Outcomes The Action Lab will strengthen conversations, shape practical outcomes, and build approaches that benefit the entire arts community. We aim to: Develop skills to process, articulate, and report qualitative and quantitative data   Build confidence in tracking and implementing impact indicators   Address roadblocks like HR capacity or skill gaps in evaluation   Leverage impact-evaluation skills for fundraising and advocacy   Engage with national and regional networks, aligning work with other impact-indexes, like the United Nation’s 16 Sustainable Development Goals During the introductory session to our Arts Impact Evaluation Action Lab on December 15th, 2025, Meral Tan, one of our CAMs, joined to observe the session and share their experience and key takeaways as an Arts Correspondent. Read the article here. LEARN MORE ABOUT ARTS OTTAWA'S ACTION LABS