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Founder Visionary Patron Benefactor Champion Leader Builder Friend $250,000+ Government of Ontario | Gouvernement de l’Ontario Minto Foundation Inc. John and Jennifer Ruddy The William Shenkman Foundation $100,000 – $249,999 Singhal Family Foundation Forum Equity Partners Inc. $25,000 – $99,999 Richard Abboud et Jitanjli Datt Bel-Air Lexus Toyota Conseil des arts AOE / AOE Arts Council Dust Evans Lawyers / Avocats Simone et John Joanisse LaLande+Doyle Architects Inc. MBNA Bank of America MIFO Orléans Star – L’Express Ottawa Citizen Louise Ouellette et Denis Vézina Vibrant and Sustainable Fund – Fonds dynamique et durable Ottawa Community Foundation Ottawa School of Art – École d’Art d’Ottawa $10,000 – $24,999 Atomic Motion Chambre de commerce d’Orléans – Orléans Chamber of Commerce The KTL Group, Inc. Ottawa School of Theatre – L’École de théâtre d’Ottawa $5,000 – $9,999 Maureen Shenkman Place d’Orléans RONA $2,500 – $4,999 BERTSCHI ORTH SMITH LLP/s.r.l. Lyne et Ronald Caza Doug Feltmate & Lisa DiNoble Régimbal Promotions Ltd. Jim Keay Lincoln Ford Victoria Steele Heather Jamieson and Jean-Eudes Haché $1,000 – $2,499 Crayon Fund The Bertschi Family (David, Jason, Matt, Jenn & Chris) Conseiller Rainer Bloess Councillor DEL PRC/CAP Jennie and Ted Johnston Louise LaLande & Philippe Doyle MacInnis-Léonard Family Caroline Obeid and Mark Nassim Jim Orban In Memory of Christian Grivon Ottawa Beta Sigma Phi Chantal Rodier et Guy Gosselin SURE PRINT & GRAPHICS Dr. Sharleen Tan, Orthodontist Christine & Ghislain Tremblay In Memory of Sheila Watts Stephen M. Adler Cassandra Marlee Olsthoorn Rachel Duchesne $50 – $999 Claude Chapdelaine Danielle Allard Music George Brown Henry Hogeterp In Honour of The Edwards Family Gabriel Abbott-Leblanc Alan Dean Photography Jean-Pierre Allaire Arteast Susan Ashbrook J. Atherton Family G. R. Babcock Family Bailey Family Mark & Tracy Baker Jacqueline L. Ballhorn Matthew Barnes Megan Barnes Diane Barnett Katrina Barrett BCFSO Insurance Brokers Joanne Beaubien Beiersdorfer Family Carol Belchamber Tia Belle-Isle Conseiller Michel Bellemare Councillor Sarah C. Benfield Loretto Beninger Katherine Bishop Zygo and Jennifer Lynne Blaxell Hans & Marianne Blokpoel Susan Blyth-Schofield Angela Bolick Danielle Bolick Nicole Bolick Susan & Ted Bolick Leslie A. Bond Gilles Bouchard Gisèle Bourgeois Garry and Cavelle Bowes Sheree Bradford-Lea Mary J. Brett André Brisebois Camille Brisebois In Memory of Penny Brown Claudette Brûlé Nancy E. Burke Business Club d’Orléans Patrica Butchart Kayla Butt Bytown Beat Chorus Laudalina M. Cabral Margaret-Jane Campbell Judith Cane, Ian and Sam Fisher Capital Chordettes CAPITAL SOUND AND LIGHT Margaret Carver Arlette Castonguay Centre Séraphin-Marion d’Orléans David Chadala Mélanie Champagne Patrick Champagne Les Chansonniers d’Ottawa Diane et Richard Charlebois Denis et Julie Chauret Chénier Family Chhangur Family John H. Chibuk Chorum Chamber Choir Richard F. Clark Famille Jean-François Claude Family Club Photo Orléans Photo Club Connie Collette-Cole John Cook Coro Vivo Ottawa Inc. Yvonne and Fern Côté Aline et Michel Coulombe Irelande M. Finsten Crossan Jacqueline H. Finsten Crossan Rachel et Séan Crossan Cuisine et Passion Cumberland Community Singers Michael & Catrina Curran Laura Cyr Julia Scarlett Dan Stephen Decker Family Dennee Family Erika Déruaz Domenic Di Loreto Matthieu Doell Famille Shawn Doherty Family Betty Dolan Conseiller Clive Doucet Councillor In Memory of Caroline Ann Doyle Jean-Guy Doyon Marie-Jeanne Drew Yvan R. Dubeau André et Carmen Dufault Frances Dunn and Paul Caron Ernie and Virginia Dupuis Leonard Dupuis Stephanie Dupuis Cecilia Dwyer John Dwyer Liam Joseph Dwyer Doreen Dyet Noëlla Dyet Virginia Dyet Renée Dykeman East End Theatre Renée Edmunds Audreen M. Ellis Richard C. Ellis Christina Embleton Peter and Jacquie Embleton William Embleton Brad Evans In Memory of Flo & Ted Fancott Fédération des Femmes Canadiennes-Françaises d’Orléans Wendy Feldberg Alison & Anna Feltmate Françoise Ferguson Brazeau Susan Flemming Donna Fleras Margo & Don Ford Guy et Claudette Forget Marilyn Foster Sean Freill Friend of the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre Judith Froome Barbara & Paul Fulford Elizabeth Galindo-Bloch Anne Pallascio Galipeau Claude Antoine Galipeau Louis Pallascio Galipeau Miriam “Mimi” Galipeau Paul Mathieu Galipeau Cody Oatway In Memory of Sheila Hanson In Memory of Susan Ruth Bowen Jahn Fawcett Jeffrey Richstone Julie Mercier Oded Ravek Family Adrian Marc Olsthoorn Johannus Olsthoorn Logan Ethan Olsthoorn Orleans Gardens Chiropractic Keith O’Rourke Ottawa Artisans Guild The Ottawa School of Speech & Drama Ottawa Voyageurs Walking Club / Club de marche des voyageurs d’Ottawa Marc Ouimet-McPherson Out of the Box Fibre Art Group Geneviève Painchaud Nicolas Pantieras & Family Alenka Paquet En mémoire de Denise J. Parent Karine Parent-Girard Louis et Nicole Patry Bronte Patterson Kashtin Patterson Tristan Patterson Emily Pearlman Lise & Denis Perrault Émélie Perron-Clow Jonathan Perron-Clow Hugh V.W. Phillips Norman Pirollo Susan & Dennis Pitt Linda Platt Marc Poirier Thérèse Poulin Kaitlyn Poupore Keri Poupore Adam T. B. Pyne Jana A. B. Pyne Sevren B. Pyne Terrence F. Pyne Stephen Quick Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre Jessica Reeve Martha Reeve Terry Rempel-Mroz Martin Rice Amanda Ricketts Éric et Lorraine Robineau Famille Frank Rodgers Family Francine & Yvon Rodrigue James & Lise Rody Roney-Heney Family Maureen Rooney Mitchell Helen Rosseau Anik Roy Daniel Roy Donald et Lise Roy Martin Roy Michel Roy Shawnah Roy Linda Russell Eliane Saheurs Joe Salazar In Memory of Joan Salgo Lydia Salgo Salon Funéraire Heritage Funeral Home Royal Galipeau, MP Stephen & Margie Lee Gallagher Allan & Jocelyne Garbutt Victor R. & Linda Mae Garbutt Jenna Gasper Sharron Gebert Christine Gendron GENIVAR Fiona Gilfillan Rachna & Ian Gilmore Sophia Giroux-Radisch Gloucester Community Concert Band Gloucester Pottery School Norm Goddard Mélanie Gosselin Stéphane Gosselin Thérèse et Léonard Gosselin Bernard et Mariette Grandmaître Gray / Coughlan Family Zachary T. Gray Carol-Anne Grenier Kaera Griffin Groupe S&S Bolton Group Laura Grunder Marguerite Grünwald Lucía Guerrero Maria Guevremont Louisa Haché Marion Jean Hall Lucie Hallé Joya and Drew Halpenny Shirley Hamre Richard Hancox Doreen Hardiman The Harding Family Luvai Hassanali Zaahra Hassanali In Memory of Ann Heard Chris and Sandy Heard Phyllis Heath Heron / Ebery Family Heron / Hopkinson Family Betty Hoff Herbert G. Hoff Marlene Hoff Samantha & Christina Hollands Katherine Howarth Shannon Howarth Sophia Hullin In Memory of Charles Maddison Innescents Floral Design Ruby Ireland Frances Isaac In Memory of the Hon. Donald and Barbara Jamieson Johanna Jansen April Jarrett Jennifer Jarvis Laura Jellett Catherine Jellett Conseiller Rob Jellett Councilor Susan Jellett James Jette Melanie Rose Jette Aline Joanis Sonia Joanis Micheline Joanisse Johnston Family Johnstone Family Jayne Jonker Anne Jutras Marc Thivierge Megan Piercey Monafu Rachel Horsley Roger Trudel Stephen Adler Terrie Kember Fried Kemper John Kemper Michael & Lynda Kemper Francis & Katie Kenny Sheila King John and Joan Klenavic Barbara Kloepfer David Knight-Martin Chantal Lafontaine & Martin Patterson Steve Langlois Jessi Langston Pappy Langston Patrick Langston Irfôna Larkin Marie Larocque Cazabon Roger Larose Ned & Diane Lathrop Laureate Gamma Sigma Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Yves Le Gal Guy-Michel Lebel Richard Lebel Émilie Lebel-Lessard Annette et Wilbrod Leclerc Alton Legault Denis, Nathalie et Sophie Legault Isabella Lévêque Dr. Todd R. Lewis Dentistry Professional Corporation Tom and Mary Little Marie Lizotte Loch Murray Dancers The Loveridge Family Erin MacDonald Sam MacDonald Macdonnell-Hopkins Family Denyse Mageau Carter Malette Jordan Malette Lise Malette Eric Manherz Manoir Portobello Manor Alan and Pam Marjerrison Jag Maru Dr. Mike Mattinen & Dr. Lyne Rivet Marie McCormack Famille Eric McKay Family Phil & Anna Marie McNeely Mi Casa Theatre Louise Michaud Elena Milito Sofie Milito Sue Mills Conseiller Bob Monette Councillor Andrew Moore Renata Morawiecka Alan Morissette Marjorie Mueller Robert Murrell Jérémy Nantel-Saint-Fort Albert-Nicholas Nassrallah National Capital Network of Sculptors The Nevins Family AnnMarie Nielsen M. Santerre Kellie Sarazin Hellmut & Margaret Schade Karen J. Scott Thomas Scott Carolle Séguin and David Edmunds Ann Seman Margaret Shaw Fred Sherwin and Family Lois Siegel Sinclair Chicago de Hildebrand Diane Smith Hayden Alexander Smith Sydney Smith Tyler Smith Cassia Snyder Gwen Snyder Michel & Chantal Soucy Jackie Squires Lynne Stacey Nicole St-Amand Victoria Steele Josette et Jean Ste-Marie Sterling Family Hailey Stewart Peter and Cynthia Stewart En mémoire d’Elizabeth St-Jean Savoie Frances M. Stronach Dawn Stroz Alastair Swan Kira Swan Rosemary Swan Tara Luz Danse Katherine Taylor Mike Taylor TECH EXPERTS Automotive The Promenade Théâtre du Village d’Orléans inc. Patricia Thibault Richard Thibault Sean Thibault Trejo Letechipía Family Christopher Tremblay Karina Tremblay & Christian Abbott-LeBlanc Sidney K. Treml Louise Valle Jeannine van Berkel Cathy Velazquez Vintage Stock Theatre Chloé Vuicic George Vuicic Jessica Vuicic Wall Space Gallery David N. Ward Hon. Jim Watson, MPP Fiona Watts Gordon Watts Patricia Watts Wealth Strategies Barbara Welke Sue Widyaratne Peter & Gerri Wilkes Gerda J. Wolker Olivia Woods Robert Woods In Memoriam of Dorothy Wynes You Deserve It The Yuill Family Nicole Zuger Take a bow! On behalf of Articipate Grant Recipients who benefit from your private and public financial support, thank you to all donors of the Articipate Endowment Fund. This electronic Donor Wall pays tribute to the vision and leadership shown by a community who support of a flourishing local art scene. All annual gifts, bequests and gifts in memorial of $50 and more are included because together , we’ve built a strong cultural legacy for years to come! Donor Wall

Sign up for the Arts Ottawa newsletters to stay up to date with the arts community. Newsletters Read more about Arts Ottawa's three newsletters here and sign up below. Arts Ottawa report Bi-weekly updates The Arts Ottawa Report will keep you up to date on all of the programs and services Arts Ottawa has to offer the Ottawa community. This newsletter is to inform you on all of our programs, job opportunities and staff changes within the organization, workshops, fundraising and reports, as well as the services Arts Ottawa offers. WKND Bulletin Community news every Thursday The Weekend Bulletin’s purpose is to help you unwind after a long week. It will go out on Fridays and act as your guide to an active weekend in Ottawa! It will showcase all kinds of activities happening in the city, ways to stay creative, as well as new trends, articles, and even recipes, that may spark interest. artist talk Bi-weekly artist resources The Artist Talk newsletters will feature opportunities in Ottawa that may help advance your artistic career. It will be a spotlight on opportunities outside of our organization, and through this newsletter you will be notified of local resources, calls to artists, requests for proposals, paid opportunities, grant opportunities, volunteering, and so on. This newsletter will also provide a space for Arts Ottawa to feature local Artists and their work. Subscribe to the Arts Ottawa Newsletters Arts Ottawa offers three different newsletters that will keep you up to date on the Ottawa Arts Community. Learn More and Subscribe

Noel Szabados Content & Impact Documentation Coordinator Noel (she/her) is based in Ottawa, Ontario, on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation. As the Content & Impact Documentation Coordinator at Arts Ottawa, she supports programming through documentation, communications, and administrative coordination, with a focus on capturing and sharing the impact of local arts initiatives. She has completed four years of her Bachelor of Fine Arts and has presented research on interactivity in computer-based art at the SUNY New Paltz Undergraduate Art History Symposium. Her background as a visual artist informs a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach to her work in arts administration.

ARTicipate Project Grants Photo: Smiles Photography/Sivarubin Sivalingam

Arts Ottawa Releases Landmark Case Study on Nonprofit Merger, 
Sector Reform, and Collective Leadership Transforming Together: Systemic Change for Community Benefit Arts Ottawa Releases Landmark Case Study on Nonprofit Merger, 
Sector Reform, and Collective Leadership Download Case Study In a bold move to reimagine how the arts sector is supported, Arts Ottawa has released a comprehensive case study titled Transforming Together: Systemic Change for Community Benefit, chronicling the historic merger between the Ottawa Arts Council and Arts Network Ottawa. This merger goes beyond structural consolidation and offers a replicable model for nonprofit transformation rooted in equity, collaboration, and community governance. The case study details how two of Ottawa’s leading arts service organizations took an innovative, human-centered design approach to dismantle silos, reframe leadership, and build a new organizational structure based on shared power. With over 450 community members engaged, Arts Ottawa is now emerging as a catalytic hub for collective action in the arts. “This isn’t just a story about two organizations merging,” says Cassandra Olsthoorn, former Executive Director of Arts Network Ottawa and now Co-Executive Director with Arts Ottawa. “It’s about shifting how we lead, who makes decisions, and how we sustain meaningful change in the arts sector.” From early trust-building to a new governance model that decentralizes authority and empowers artists as decision-makers, Transforming Together offers a transparent look into the why, how, and what next of organizational reinvention. The process included co-creation labs, artist commissions, and iterative community testing, resulting in a structure that includes Action Labs, a Community Advisory Circle, and a Core Leadership Circle. Supported by funding from the City of Ottawa, Ontario Arts Council, the Ottawa Community Foundation, Canada Council for the Arts, and others, the merger also addresses long-standing systemic issues: barriers to equity, lack of coordination in advocacy, and the need for adaptable, resilient infrastructure in a post-pandemic world. “Mergers in the nonprofit sector are often seen as a last resort,” says Nicole Milne, former Executive Director of Ottawa Arts Council and now Co-Executive Director with Arts Ottawa. “We approached ours as a generative opportunity—one to create something new, more inclusive, and more effective.” The case study is already drawing attention from municipal leaders and national arts funders as a potential blueprint for other cities. For interviews, background, or access to community participants, contact:
 Nicole Milne
 Co-Executive Director, Arts Ottawa
 nicole@artsottawa.ca | 613-983-6282 Download Case Study

Kwende Kefentse Shared Ground Initiative Kwende (Memetic Media) is an advisor and the research lead to the Shared Ground initiative, helping shape the work by facilitating community conversations, asking critical questions, and bridging creative practice and research with city building. Kwende Kefentse is a creator, researcher, administrator and cultural innovator based in Ottawa. Coming from Caribbean heritage, Kwende's upbringing as a first-generation Canadian instilled in him a profound appreciation for the rich tapestry of cultural expressions that surrounded him. From the rhythms of his parents' Bajan roots to the pulsating energy of Caribana, Kwende's early experiences in the Greater Toronto Area laid the groundwork for a lifelong exploration of the intersections between culture, creativity, and urbanism. Kwende earned a Masters of Research (MRes) from UCL's Bartlett School of Architecture focused on the spatial dynamics of cultural production in the music industry. He is an external research fellow for Carleton University's Research Centre for Music, Sound, and Society in Canada and serves on the boards of the Carleton University Art Gallery, the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, the Ottawa Film Office, and the Washington D.C.-based Music Policy Forum (Emeritus). As DJ Memetic, creative director of TIMEKODE and the producer of the TIMEKODE original productions and remixes, he played a pivotal role in shaping Ottawa's underground music scene, fostering a space for musical exploration and cultural exchange. His work has received critical acclaim from international outlets like Vice Thump, Radio Nova, and Wax Poetics. He has been requested as an opening performer for luminaries like Nas and Barack Obama. In 2025 Kwende is establishing his consultancy Memetic Media, and launching the TIMEKODE CoLABoratory, a dynamic, interdisciplinary project that commemorates 20 years of local nightclub heritage, while charting its future through innovation, collaboration, and community engagement

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. 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. Please reach out to Nicole to discuss any opportunities. Nicole Milne Co-Leadership, Operations and Revenue Generation nicole@artsottawa.ca Arts Ottawa Sponsorship Policy Arts Ottawa does not offer traditional sponsorship packages, such as logo placement, advertising space, tiered recognition, or naming rights. Instead, we focus on building values-based partnerships rooted in shared commitments to artists, equity, and long-term community impact. We work collaboratively with individuals, organizations, and businesses who want to invest meaningfully in Ottawa’s arts community. If you’re interested in supporting our work, we invite you to connect with us to explore a partnership aligned with our shared values. For more information, please contact: info@artsottawa.ca View Full Sponsorship Policy 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.


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 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. Photo: Olivia Onuk MEET THE ARTISTS OLIVA ONUK Integrated Neighbourhood Services 2024-2025 More about Olivia Olivia Onuk is dedicating herself to tackling community issues through her involvement with Arts Ottawa and the City of Ottawa’s Artist in Residence in Government Program. Within this role, she is working closely with the Host Department to shape policy decisions for the city. Through collaborative efforts with city staff and active participation in municipal consultations and public hearings, Olivia strives to address the pressing concerns of our community. Her expertise in organizing community art installations and performance events, along with her skill for developing programs and leading workshops for people of all ages, especially those in vulnerable communities, enables her to foster meaningful connections and create spaces for self-expression and healing. These experiences strengthen her resolve to bridge service gaps and promote equity. Olivia’s contributions to the Artist in Residence in Government program emphasize the importance of innovative and creative approaches in tackling civic challenges within our community. https://inbloom.space/ www.instagram.com/mo.o.nflower JORDAN DANGER Solid Waste Services 2024-2025 More about Jordan Jordan Danger is an Ottawa-based professional artist working in multiple media, with two decades of experience and a history of award-winning work. As a queer, genderqueer artist with an invisible disability, she approaches art from a lifetime of challenging the 'norm'. Her professional life has taken her in many directions, including a decade spent in social services prior to another decade spent in marketing, where she was awarded a Forty Under 40 award for her work in the field. These career paths have complimented her artistic practice, enriching her understanding of human behaviour and psychology in a way that informs her art. Now working full time in the arts, Jordan is represented at several galleries and local artists' guilds. www.dangercreative.com www.instagram.com/jordandangercreative NEWS Jordan and Olivia in conversation Our first Artists in Residence in Government met and reflected on their time in the program. READ MORE What has Olivia been up to? Our inaugural Artist in Residence, Olivia, is helping build a strong collective future in Ottawa. READ MORE Interview with Olivia We had the chance to connect with Olivia during the closing exhibition, reflecting on the conclusion of her residency in the AIRG program WATCH ONLINE Interview with Jordan We Jordan Danger meets with Rebecca Zandbergen on Ottawa Morning to talk about their 'garbage' work. LISTEN HERE AIRSPACE: Understanding the landfill crisis Explore Jordan Dangers art series inspired by a year as an Artist in Residence with Solid Waste. VIEW HERE OUR PARTNERS NEIGHBOURHOOD ARTS OTTAWA 2018 to 2021 From 2018 to 2021, Neighbourhood Arts brought free community-based arts workshops and projects to residents across Ottawa. Funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Ottawa Community Foundation, the program supported local artists and organizations in making the arts more accessible and inclusive. Projects ranged from dance and theatre to visual arts and collaborative installations, led by artists such as Eagle & Condor Collective, Kseniya Tsoy, MASC, Moov Ottawa Dance, Christine Mockett, Eleanor Crowder, and Jennifer Anne Kelly . The spirit of Neighbourhood Arts continues today through our Artist in Residence in Government (AIRG) program. Building on the idea of embedding creativity where it’s most needed, AIRG places artists directly within government departments to bring fresh perspectives, foster collaboration, and help address civic challenges through the arts. This evolution reflects a natural path from engaging communities at the grassroots level to shaping the systems and structures that serve them.

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

Action Labs and the Core Leadership Circle Action Labs and their Core Leadership Circles work together to move shared priorities into action. 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.

Events and Performance Grant Guidelines DEADLINE: Applications Closed Download Application Form ABOUT THE EVENTS AND PERFORMANCE 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 Events and Performance Grant supports public-facing artistic presentation and activity at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Applicants can apply for up to $3000 in funding (in addition to $5000 of in-kind support from the Shenkman Arts Centre, including rentals and staffing). 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. CLICK HERE for more information about space at the Shenkman Arts Centre. 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 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 as long as 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 Public festivals, performances, or showcases Public presentations, screenings or gatherings Projects taking place between September 2025 and May 2026 Applicants are encouraged to contact Arts Ottawa staff before applying if they have questions about eligibility criteria. 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 Resident Art Partners at the Shenkman Arts Centre, including board and staff members of Arts Network Ottawa Participating jurors or peer-assessors of the ARTicipate Grant Program INELIGIBLE PROJECTS INCLUDE:  Projects that do not occur or use spaces within the Shenkman Arts Centre For-profit, corporate ventures Non-arts events and activities Development of new work or non-public-facing events and/or performances (see C&D stream here) Projects that are part of the programming or operations of the Resident Arts Partners of the Shenkman Arts Centre PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO: Projects from or engaging equity seeking artists and groups who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, Metis, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQ+, immigrants, refugees, newcomers, Older Adults, People with Disabilities, Francophones, and Rural Residents Events and/or performances that can generate or attract audiences to the Shenkman Arts Centre Original works and/or performances ELIGIBLE EXPENSES Only expenses directly related to the project are eligible. A full list of eligible expenses can be found in the FAQ and the 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 Events and Performances application: Completed application form with budget Support materials (attached with your application) Projects must take place at the Shenkman Arts Centre. 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. For more information about spaces within the Shenkman Arts Centre, please visit: https://shenkmanarts.ca/en/rentals 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.