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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. Subscribe to the Arts Ottawa Report below. artist talk & The WKND Bulletin Now living on an online Community Forum We heard you: artists, organizers, and art-lovers alike want a central place to access resources, share events, and stay informed without jumping between platforms or missing out on what matters. We’ve created this new hub with the goal of creating a space that is collaborative, community-driven, and easy to navigate — so you can spend less time searching and more time creating, attending, organizing, and connecting. Visit the New Hub Here! 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

Explore Arts Ottawa's collection of insightful reports, articles, and studies that reflect the pulse of Ottawa’s vibrant arts community. Publications Explore our collection of insightful reports, articles, and studies that reflect the pulse of Ottawa’s vibrant arts community. From in-depth research on cultural trends to practical guides for artists and arts organizations, our publications provide valuable resources to support and inspire the local arts ecosystem. Stay informed and engaged with the latest updates and initiatives shaping Ottawa's creative landscape. 2025 Co-Creation & Learning Lab Report Download Shared Ground Report: The June 25th Launch Event Download Shared Ground: A Framework for Cultural Co-Design in Downtown Ottawa by Kelly Wilhelm Download Arts Impact Calculator - Third Angle | Arts Ottawa | Ottawa Community Foundation Download Co-Creation Lab Participant Package | Arts Ottawa Download Arts Ottawa Learning Lab 3 - Summary Download Arts Ottawa Learning Lab 2 - Summary Download Arts Ottawa Learning Lab 1 - Summary Download 2024 Transforming Together: Systemic Change for Community Benefit Download Arts Leaders Breakfast June 5 : Feedback Analysis Report Download Co-Creation Lab Report Download Community Conversations Report Download 2023 Arts Network Ottawa Annual Report 2023 Download Ottawa Arts Council Annual Report 2023 Download 2013 - 2023 A Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Heritage and Culture in Ottawa (2013-2018) Download Arm’s Length Cultural Sector Development Feasibility Study Final Report, OCA Download A Liveable City for All: A New Cultural Roadmap for Ottawa 2019-22, OCA Download

Meet the Arts Ottawa team Meet the Arts Ottawa Team Alex Maltby Programming & Partnerships Brooklyn Marok Digital Engagement & Design Cassandra Olsthoorn Co-Leadership, Strategy & Community Mobilization Joni Hamlin Programming and Operations Nicole Milne Co-Leadership, Operations & Revenue Generation Noel Szabados Arts Administration & Engagement Assistant Board of Directors Anona Kosmack Knowledge Steward Chirag Gehani Financial Steward Dominic Brisson Legacy Steward Emily Ramsay Chairing Member Jeff Richstone Support Chair

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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:

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

Terms and Conditions Terms & Conditions These terms and conditions (the "Terms and Conditions") govern the use of www.artsottawa.ca (the "Site"). This Site is owned and operated by Arts Ottawa. This Site is an arts organization. By using this Site, you indicate that you have read and understand these Terms and Conditions and agree to abide by them at all times. Intellectual Property All content published and made available on our Site is the property of Arts Ottawa and the Site's creators. This includes, but is not limited to images, text, logos, documents, downloadable files and anything that contributes to the composition of our Site. Links to Other Websites Our Site contains links to third party websites or services that we do not own or control. We are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of any third party website or service linked to on our Site. It is your responsibility to read the terms and conditions and privacy policies of these third party websites before using these sites. Limitation of Liability Arts Ottawa and our directors, officers, agents, employees, subsidiaries, and affiliates will not be liable for any actions, claims, losses, damages, liabilities and expenses including legal fees from your use of the Site. Indemnity Except where prohibited by law, by using this Site you indemnify and hold harmless Arts Ottawa and our directors, officers, agents, employees, subsidiaries, and affiliates from any actions, claims, losses, damages, liabilities and expenses including legal fees arising out of your use of our Site or your violation of these Terms and Conditions. Applicable Law These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario. Severability If at any time any of the provisions set forth in these Terms and Conditions are found to be inconsistent or invalid under applicable laws, those provisions will be deemed void and will be removed from these Terms and Conditions. All other provisions will not be affected by the removal and the rest of these Terms and Conditions will still be considered valid. Changes These Terms and Conditions may be amended from time to time in order to maintain compliance with the law and to reflect any changes to the way we operate our Site and the way we expect users to behave on our Site. We will notify users by email of changes to these Terms and Conditions or post a notice on our Site. Contact Details Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Our contact details are as follows: info@artsottawa.ca Effective Date: 6th day of January, 2025

Get in touch with Arts Ottawa. Contact Arts Ottawa Email info@artsottawa.ca Phone 613-580-2767 Downtown Office Arts Court 2 Daly Avenue Ottawa, ON K1N 6E2 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 Follow us

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 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 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 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 LEARN MORE ABOUT ARTS OTTAWA'S ACTION LABS

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