ADVOCATING FOR THE ARTS IN THE OTTAWA REGION
A thriving arts scene creates a community that people want to live in – one where ideas, talents and cultures are celebrated, and identities are shared. Serving the arts in the Ottawa region, Arts Network Ottawa builds relationships to generate greater awareness of the value of the arts and to strengthen our local arts sector. As a member, you are ‘part of a strong voice’.
CITY OF OTTAWA 2024 BUDGET
The City of Ottawa 2024 Draft Budget has been approved, and while we did receive a 2% increase to the Cultural Funding Envelope, that alone does not address long-standing concerns of stability within the arts & culture sector. This increase is a start, but far from ideal. The city must undertake a proactive, inclusive plan and commit to reporting results and impacts to the sector and residents. Culture cannot be overlooked!
AACO email to Premier Doug Ford on Mental Health OAC Study
THE OTTAWA ARTS INITIATIVE
The Ottawa Arts Initiative (OAI) was created by Arts Network Ottawa and Ottawa Arts Council (OAC) to provide a platform for both organizations to continue advocating the social and economic value of art and culture in Ottawa.
ADVOCACY
CONTACT US
Shenkman Arts Centre
245 Centrum Blvd, Suite 260
Ottawa, ON K1E 0A1
Tel: 613-580-2767
info@artsnetottawa.ca
Charity number:
121777023RR0001
We acknowledge that our offices are on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation have lived on this territory for millennia, stewarding the land, the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today, many Indigenous communities continue to be denied the opportunity and resources to make and experience their traditional art on this land. We pledge to make justice and reconciliation a priority through our work by amplifying Indigenous voices and their experiences.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
CURRENT ADVOCACY WORK
Call to Conversation – City of Ottawa 2022 Budget
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.
ONGOING: MEMBER OF THE OTTAWA CULTURAL ALLIANCE
The Ottawa Cultural Alliance facilitated the creation of this new community-driven Cultural Roadmap for 2019-2022 that recommends the strategy and priorities for culture. The results are also intended to inform Ottawa City Council’s planning for the next four years.
OAI STATEMENT FOR ARTS AND CULTURE PLAN
MARCH 2024
Arts Network Ottawa and the Ottawa Arts Council are continuously amplifying our advocacy work throughout Ottawa. Learn more about the Anti-Poverty initiatives for artists and cultural workers in Ottawa, downtown revitalization, inquiries into city reports and new a new municipal culture plan and more!
TERM OF COUNCIL PRIOTITIES -OCA RESPONSE
JULY 2023
In the summer of 2023, the Ottawa Cultural Alliance posted a response to the city's 2023-2025 Term of Council Priorities
CALL TO CONVERSATION – CITY OF OTTAWA 2022 BUDGET
OCTOBER 2022
In conjunction with Ottawa Arts Council, we facilitated a campaign to help the community engage with City Councillors and the City of Ottawa Budget process.
A LIVEABLE CITY FOR ALL: A NEW CULTURAL ROADMAP FOR OTTAWA
2019 to 2022
As a member of the Ottawa Cultural Alliance, we helped to facilitate the creation of this new community-driven Cultural Roadmap for 2019-2022 that recommends the strategy and priorities for culture. The results are also intended to inform Ottawa City Council’s planning for the next four years.
2018 ELECTION YEAR
OCTOBER 2018
In conjunction with the Ottawa Cultural alliance, we participated and promoted the #OTTAWACULTURECOUNTS! Campaign. Aiming to bring awareness and push city counselors to keep culture at the heart of our city and a priority for the 2019-2022 years.
We also held an all-candidates debate for all ward 1 residents. Where Arts Network Ottawa asked questions to the candidates on behalf of its members and the arts community.
2018 ONTARIO ELECTION
SPRING 2018
In the spring, we held an event in conjunction with the Ottawa Cultural Alliance. The workshop and dinner were presented by 7 panellists to help sharpen attendees’ government relations skills.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
MARCH 2018
Arts Network Ottawa attended and supported Mayor Watson’s and Councillor Diane Deans’s Annual International Women's Day Celebration.
AWARD RECOGNITION
MARCH 2018
Received the non-profit organization of the year at orléans chamber of commerce business excellence awards.
ATTENDED MAYOR’S BREAKFAST
JANUARY 2018
Attended Mayor’s Breakfast at West Ottawa Board of Trade.
PRESENTED TO THE ONTARIO MINISTER OF FINANCE AND OTTAWA AREA MPP’S
JANUARY 2018
Level: Provincial
PRÉSENTATION DEVANT LE COMITÉ PERMANENT DES FINANCES ET DES AFFAIRES ÉCONOMIQUES DE L’ONTARIO
JANUARY 2018
On behalf of Ontarians for the Arts
PRESENTATION TO OTTAWA CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 2017
2017 – December Ottawa Cultural Alliance presentation to Ottawa City Council Community and Protective Services Committee re: Budget 2018.
NEIGHBOURHOOD ARTS 150 CLOSING CELEBRATION
NOVEMBER 2017
Held at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health with MPs Andrew Leslie and Mona Fortier
ANNUAL MEETING WITH OTTAWA EAST END CITY COUNCILLORS
NOVEMBER 2017
Level: Ottawa: East
LAUNCH OF NEIGHBOURHOOD ARTS 150 ACTIVITIES
APRIL 2017
With support from MP. Hon Andrew Leslie, MPP Minister Marie-France Lalonde and Mayor Jim Watson
ORLÉANS 2017 BUDGET
APRIL 2017
Breakfast with MP Hon. Andrew Leslie
JOINT PRESENTATION: FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MARCH 2015-2017
Arts Network Ottawa and Ottawa Festivals Importance of the City’s 6-year Arts Plan and cultural marketing initiatives for 2017 as part of Canada’s 150th year.
OTTAWA MEETING WITH HON. MÉLANIE JOLY
FEBRUARY 2017
Minister of Canadian Heritage in Orléans
ORLÉANS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2015: ARTS, LEISURE & RECREATION BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
FEBRUARY 2017
Marie-France Lalonde, MPP Ottawa-Orléans congratulated the Shenkman Arts Centre staff and resident arts partners (MIFO, OYP Theatre, Gloucester Pottery School, Arts Network Ottawa and the Ottawa School of Art) for their work to enrich the lives of our community.
ORLÉANS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
JANUARY 2017
Arts Network Ottawa President, Lisa Cruickshank wins Business person of the Year Award.
ARTS NETWORK OTTAWA AND OTTAWA ARTS COUNCIL JOINT PRESENTATION TO THE COMMUNITY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 2016
City Budget 2017 Advocacy
LOCAL CULTURAL COMMUNITY REACTS TO ANOTHER HIT TO CAPITAL REGION CULTURE COVERAGE
NOVEMBER 2016
Letter from the Ottawa Cultural Alliance
INVESTING IN CULTURE IN 2017 AND BEYOND
NOVEMBER 2016
Arts Network Ottawa Advocacy Committee met with East End City Councillors (Bob Monette, Tim Tierney, Jody Mitic and Stephen Blais) Importance of the arts to Ottawa’s vitality and the need to profile local arts in 2017 and make plans for 2018 and beyond.
ARTS DAY ON THE HILL
OCTOBER 2016
Arts Network Ottawa's, Executive Director Victoria Steele participates in this event. This event is a great opportunity for artists, arts managers and board members of arts organizations across the country to meet with Members of Parliament. It’s our opportunity to bring arts advocates from across the country together to collectively to speak to federal stakeholders and to talk with them about the value that the arts bring to Canadian communities.
OTTAWA CULTURAL ALLIANCE – 2016 BUDGET ADVOCACY
DECEMBER 2015
No additional investments in City's Cultural Action Plan for 2016: Ottawa Cultural Alliance disappointed and ready to get it back on track.
ARTS NETWORK OTTAWA PRESENTATION TO THE COMMUNITY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 2015
STATUS UPDATE: RENEWED ACTION PLAN FOR ARTS, HERITAGE AND CULTURE IN OTTAWA (2013-2018)
OCTOBER 2015
Please join the six member organizations of the Ottawa Cultural Alliance and senior City staff to learn about the status of the City's current Cultural Action Plan and help us to identify priorities moving forward. We are half way through the Plan and some of the initiatives are underway while others are behind schedule. Given the City's financial position, we face challenges to complete the Plan as approved in 2012. It's time to review the Plan as a community and identify some next steps.
ARTS NETWORK OTTAWA SUPPORTS THE CANADIAN ARTS COALITION
AUGUST TO OCTOBER 2015
Arts Network Ottawa supports The Canadian Arts Coalition, a collaborative non-partisan movement spearheaded by a group of national arts service and membership organizations. The Canadian Arts Coalition put together an #ArtsVote Election Toolkit to assist members and supporters during the Federal Elections. The Coalition offers documents to help spread the word via social media, to your networks, and to political candidates. FEDERAL PARTIES' POSITIONS ON ARTS AND CULTURE The Canadian Arts Coalition has contacted all the major parties running in the 2015 Federal Election with five important questions about the future of the arts in Canada.
OTTAWA CULTURAL ALLIANCE PRESENTATION TO THE COMMUNITY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE
JUNE 2015
As one of the members of the newly formed Ottawa Cultural Alliance, Arts Network Ottawa presented to the City of Ottawa’s Community and Protective Services Committee on Thursday June 18 in support of the completion of the 2013-18 Renewed Action Plan for Art, Heritage and Culture in Ottawa. The Ottawa Cultural Alliance is comprised of umbrella organizations that represent Ottawa’s arts, festival and heritage community: Arts Network Ottawa, Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa (CHOO|COPO), Heritage Ottawa, Ottawa Arts Council, Ottawa Festivals and Ottawa Museum Network. Its mission is to collectively advance Ottawa as a vibrant, cultural capital city.
JOINT PRESENTATION TO THE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MARCH 2015
re: 2015 Budget Consultations Presented by: Carole Anne Piccinin, Executive Director, Ottawa Festivals & Victoria Steele, Executive Director, Arts Network Ottawa
JOINT PRESENTATION: CITY OF OTTAWA PROTECTIVE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 2015
Executive directors Victoria Steele of Importance of completing the Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Heritage and Culture in Ottawa (2013-2018).
2015 CITY BUDGET: REGIONAL PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
FEBRUARY 2015
Arts Network Ottawa thanked the City for its past support of the cultural sector. Importance of completing the Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Heritage and Culture in Ottawa (2013-2018). Plan in advance and profile Ottawa’s local arts and heritage in 2017 as part of Canada’s 150th year.
OTTAWA-ORLÉANS MPP MARIE-FRANCE LALANDE
JANUARY 2015
Victoria Steele and Board member Denis St. Jules met with new local MPP to discuss Ottawa arts issues and the Ontario Arts Council. Ottawa-Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi participated in consultations with the arts community on priorities for the future as part of the Arts Council’s Strategic Planning.
PAST ADVOCACY WORK
OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
