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)
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
Co-Leadership Circle
Mobilizes action, connects sectors, and guides collective vision.
Advisory circle
Amplifies arts voices and connects communities to action.
Governance
Board ensures accountability and aligns collective action with strategic goals.
Co-Creating Arts Ottawa
Timeline
2026
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
May
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June
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July
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August
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September
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October
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November
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December
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Driving collective action to address the needs and priorities of Ottawa's arts sector.
Photo: Curtis Perry
January
Introduction of Co-Creating Arts Ottawa
learn more
First Open Office Hours: Welcome to Arts Ottawa
learn moreFebruary
Learning Lab no.1:
Governance Models and Advocacy in the Arts
learn more
Open Office Hours:
Discussing Arts AwardsMarch
Learning Lab no.2 :
Artists as Community Leaders
learn moreOpen 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 moreJune
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 moreAugust
September
Introducing our new Action Lab: Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts
Learn more
Arts Awards Co-Design Process
Read the reportOctober
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 moreNovember
Co-Create Arts Ottawa Report: Governance, Inclusion, and Volunteer Engagement
Read the reportDecember
Social Impact Evaluation in the Arts Learning Lab:Audited by Meral Tan as an Arts Correspondent
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.
Programs & Services
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.
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