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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 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.

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

Volunteer Get involved with the arts community through Arts Ottawa. Enjoy meeting other arts-lovers while giving back to your community. Volunteer opportunities range in time commitment and level of skills and experience required. 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

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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ARTicipate Texto Campaign Help us support Local Artists through the ARTicipate Endowment Fund and Granting Program Click here to download social media graphics Suggested Caption: Text ARTS to 20222 to donate $10 to the ARTicipate Endowment Fund! Your gift goes directly into the fund, helping artists and arts organizations bring creative projects to life in professional spaces at the Shenkman Arts Centre. The more the fund grows, the more artists we can support. Spread the word and be part of the community that makes art possible. Find out more: articipate.ca #ARTicipate ---- Textez ARTS au 20222 pour faire un don de 10 $ au Fonds de dotation ARTicipez! Votre don va directement au fonds et aide les artistes et organismes artistiques à réaliser leurs projets créatifs dans des espaces professionnels au Centre des arts Shenkman. Plus le fonds grandit, plus nous pouvons soutenir d’artistes. Partagez le mot et faites partie de la communauté qui rend l’art possible. Pour en savoir plus : articipate.ca #ARTicipez

Membership After listening to hundreds of artists, arts workers, and community members during our merger and co-creation sessions, we have collectively built a new membership model to better serve our community. Photo: Shannon Hawn Arts Ottawa strongly believes in solidarity and supporting our community. We honour our values of inclusivity and accessibility by offering a Pay-What-You-Choose pricing option for individual Community Advisory Members. When you become a member, you will receive access to our membership platform hosted on Member365. Here you can register for Arts Ottawa's upcoming activities and events, apply to programs and be an active part of our governance model. Membership is open to artists, arts workers and the general public. Organizations are also not restricted to being arts organizations. Membership Categories Community Advisory Members (CAM) For artists and cultural workers, individual or organization Sign up for an Individual CAM here Sign up for an organization CAM here More about the CAM If you want to help shape what Arts Ottawa does, through feedback, conversations, working groups, and collaborative decision-making, this is for you. The CAMs ensure that the arts sector voices are heard and have clear pathways to participation and mobilization within the organization. Through this Membership category, you can: Join Co-Creation Sessions and Action Labs Help shape programming and advocacy priorities Be recognized as a core part of our community-engaged governance model Voting rights at the Annual General Meeting Have the opportunity to place the Arts Ottawa CAM logo on your website or social media channels Participate at a pace that works for you There’s no fee to join as a CAM. Instead, we offer a flexible Pay What You Choose (PWYC) model —because we believe everyone should have access to this community, regardless of financial means. You decide how much, if anything, to contribute. For those looking for guidance, suggested membership options include $25, $50, or $100 annually. Organizations are encouraged to contribute 0.1% of their annual operating budget. Supporter For Arts and Culture Champions, individual or organization Sign up for an Individual Supporter Membership here Sign up for an Organization Supporter Membership here More about Supporter Membership Want to champion Arts Ottawa’s work, but not ready to take an active role? You can support us by becoming a Supporter Member. Through this Membership category, you can: Receive behind-the-scenes updates and invitations Cheer us on and help fund our work Are acknowledged publicly for helping us grow Choose your level of support based on what feels right for you. Individuals can contribute $50, $100, or $200 annually —or select a custom amount that aligns with your capacity. For organizations, we recommend an annual contribution of 0.1% of your operating budget . Every dollar goes toward sustaining and strengthening this work. Why Become a Member? Arts Ottawa connects members to advocacy, arts engagement, resources, and local arts communities. We listen to our members to act on behalf of the arts community in Ottawa and offer a space for everyone to get involved. All members have access to our Member365 calendar, where you can post upcoming events and opportunities to share with the Arts Ottawa community. Whether you're new here or have been with us for years— thank you. Your involvement helps shape a stronger, more connected arts community in Ottawa. We’re so glad you’re part of it. If you have any questions around Membership, please contact Joni at joni@artsottawa.ca .

Nicole Milne Co-Leadership, Operations & Revenue Generation Nicole’s leadership of the Ottawa Arts Council for the past five years was rooted in positioning the organization as a passionate and influential voice; as a champion for an engaged, thriving and connected arts community; as a facilitator in creating a healthier, more sustainable arts sector; and as an effective collaborator in building diversity and inclusion in the arts. A dedicated advocate for Ottawa’s vibrant arts community, Nicole brings 30 years of experience in arts administration, fundraising, marketing, communications, strategic planning, and community engagement. Her work with the Ottawa Arts Council, Great Canadian Theatre Company, Canada’s National Arts Centre, and the Canada Council for the Arts have offered her unique opportunities to shape and support the city’s dynamic cultural landscape. Nicole is committed to advancing the arts through innovative approaches, fostering collaboration, and building meaningful connections within the community.

At Arts Ottawa, we believe that the arts thrive when communities have a voice in shaping them. That’s why we’re launching the Arts Ottawa Giving Circle, an innovative initiative that invites you to invest in the arts AND play an active role in deciding how funds are used to support artists and cultural programs across the city. Giving Circle: Help Shape the Future of the Arts in Ottawa At Arts Ottawa, we believe that the arts thrive when communities have a voice in shaping them. That’s why we’re launching the Arts Ottawa Giving Circle, an innovative initiative that invites you to invest in the arts AND play an active role in deciding how funds are used to support artists and cultural programs across the city. Here’s the reality: → The need for arts funding is growing, but resources remain limited. → Artists and arts organizations need our support now more than ever. → We can’t do this alone. We need a community of committed supporters who believe in the powerof the arts and want to ensure their future. That’s where the Giving Circle comes in. What is the Arts Ottawa Giving Circle? The Giving Circle is a community-led philanthropy initiative with a goal of raising $10,000 to sustain key Arts Ottawa programs. As a member, you won’t just donate—you’ll help determine how the funds are allocated through a collaborative, transparent decision-making process. How It Works: 1. Join the Giving Circle – Beginning in June 2025, make a monthly ($100+) or annual ($1,200+) contribution and receive a tax receipt. 2. Engage in Shared Decision-Making – Meet with fellow supporters 3 to 4 times a year (1-2 hours) to discuss funding priorities and collectively allocate where resources are needed most. 3. See the Impact – Receive transparent, regular updates on how your contributions are strengthening the arts community. To join the Giving Circle, contact: Nicole Milne Co-Leadership, Operations & Revenue Generation Thank you to our current Giving Circle Members: Barbara and Glenn McInnes Family Fund – Ottawa Community Foundation The Blue Pearl Foundation Fund – Ottawa Community Foundation Bill Staubi Jeff Richstone Rob Henderson Anne Jolicoeur Margaret and Kenneth Torrance Family Fund – Ottawa Community Foundation

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