Up-to-date statistics on the Ottawa arts sector strengthens our organization’s ability to effectively advocate for artists and the sector. In April, the Council and ANO sponsored Kelly Hill of Hill Strategies to do a deep dive into the available data from the last census, which included an analysis of the demographics, employment characteristics, and income of artists who reside in the City of Ottawa.

​

READ FULL REPORT HERE ->

A new Culture Plan is in the works, set to launch in early 2025. The plan's development includes internal engagement sessions within RCFS and related departments from March to May 2024, followed by broad public engagement in the fall. Priority will be given to engaging residents from underrepresented neighborhoods in cultural policy making. The plan is slated to be presented at the Community Services Committee between January and May 2026. It will be founded on extensive cultural mapping work and will prioritize public engagement and data-informed insights to ensure inclusivity and representation in the city's cultural vision.

the report offers insight into the accomplishments from A Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Heritage and Culture in Ottawa (2013 - 2018). The Council and Arts Network have been advocating for this report since 2019, and the results have just been made public via an inquiry submitted by Councillor King to City staff in February. City staff submitted their response at the April 23 Community Services Committee Meeting (CSC)

​

READ THE REPORT HERE ->

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!

​

​

SEE THE STATEMENT  →

In the summer of 2023, the Ottawa Cultural Alliance posted a response to the city's 2023-2025 Term of Council Priorities

​

​

SEE THE RESPONSE  →

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.

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.

​

SEE THE ROADMAP HERE  →

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.

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.

SEE THE EVENT ARCHIVE  →

Arts Network Ottawa attended and supported Mayor Watson’s and Councillor Diane Deans’s Annual International Women's Day Celebration.

Received the non-profit organization of the year at orléans chamber of commerce business excellence awards.

​

READ MORE HERE  →

Attended Mayor’s Breakfast at West Ottawa Board of Trade.

Level: Provincial

On behalf of Ontarians for the Arts

SEE THE ARCHIVE  →

2017 – December Ottawa Cultural Alliance presentation to Ottawa City Council Community and Protective Services Committee re: Budget 2018.

Held at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health with MPs Andrew Leslie and Mona Fortier

​

SEE THE PHOTOS AND STORIES  →

Level: Ottawa: East

With support from MP. Hon Andrew Leslie, MPP Minister Marie-France Lalonde and Mayor Jim Watson

Breakfast with MP Hon. Andrew Leslie

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.

Minister of Canadian Heritage in Orléans

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.

Arts Network Ottawa President, Lisa Cruickshank wins Business person of the Year Award.

City Budget 2017 Advocacy

Letter from the Ottawa Cultural Alliance

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 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.

No additional investments in City's Cultural Action Plan for 2016: Ottawa Cultural Alliance disappointed and ready to get it back on track.

​

READ THE PRESS RELEASE  →

City Budget 2016 Advocacy

​

READ THE PRESENTATION  →

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.

SEE THE CITY’S UPDATE  →

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.

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.

READ THE PRESENTATION  →

re: 2015 Budget Consultations Presented by: Carole Anne Piccinin, Executive Director, Ottawa Festivals & Victoria Steele, Executive Director, Arts Network Ottawa

READ THE PRESENTATION  →

Executive directors Victoria Steele of Importance of completing the Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Heritage and Culture in Ottawa (2013-2018).

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.

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.