2021

REFLECTION AND RECOVERY

2021 was a year of self-reflection, to take a step back and look at our city and our arts community and try to determine who we want to be and what path forward we will take. Internally, we conducted an equity audit and assessment with QuakeLab of our organization. Externally, we partnered with the City of Ottawa for the Cultural Venue Capacity-Building and Recovery project.

2020

UNPRECEDENTED TIMES: COVID-19

Once the pandemic began, Arts Network Ottawa quickly adapted to work remotely and provide programs and services virtually. This quick response was vital in ensuring that the arts community, one of the most affected sectors by the impacts of COVID-19 shutdowns, had access to supports and leadership in its time of need.

2019

THE CPAMO OTTAWA NETWORK

A collaboration with Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario (CPAMO). The CPAMO Ottawa Network was established to increase awareness of the presence and importance of pluralism in the arts for Indigenous and diverse artists, arts organizations, communities and audiences in the Capital Region, and to provide a forum for sharing information and growing partnerships in support. 

CHECK IT OUT        

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2019

​CELEBRATES 10 YEARS AT THE SHENKMAN ARTS CENTRE

The Board of Directors of Arts Network Ottawa are pleased to announce that the ARTicipate Endowment Fund has hit its goal of $5 million dollars with thanks to the William Shenkman Foundation to support artists and arts organizations at the Shenkman Arts Centre.

2018

​AOE ARTS COUNCIL BECOMES ARTS NETWORK OTTAWA

The AOE Arts Council Board of Directors is pleased to announce that AOE Arts Council will become Arts Network Ottawa. The decision to change the name was unanimously voted in favour by AOE Arts Council members at the annual general meeting held on June 6, 2018.

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Retires Sélections Juried Art Exhibition after 17 years.

2017

​CELEBRATES 30 YEARS SERVING THE ARTS COMMUNITY

Neighbourhood Arts 150, an official Canada 150 and Ottawa 2017 activity, celebrates with 12 arts projects in 21 communities across the City of Ottawa.

2016

WESTBOUND EXPANSION!

Partnered with Ottawa 2017, Council of Heritage Organizations and Ottawa Arts Council to steward the Ottawa 2017 Arts, Culture and Heritage Investment Program during 2017 celebrations.

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Formed a West Arts working group and opened an office at Nepean Creative Arts Centre

2015

ESTABLISHING NEW FOUNDATIONS

Strategic Directions for 2015-2020 are implemented following extensive community consultation

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Assumed active role of the new Shenkman Arts Centre Community Leadership team

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Initiated the Young Arts Leaders Collective to support individuals in the early stages of their arts careers

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Co-formed Ottawa Cultural Alliance with five other cultural umbrella groups to undertake joint initiatives to strengthen Ottawa’s cultural sector

2014

INTRODUCING: ART PLACE RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Three-year community engaged artists-in-residence program, Art Place, creates opportunities for local professional artists to work with community non-profit organizations

2013

1ST EDITION OF ARTPRENEUR OTTAWA CONFERENCE

Jointly organize the first Artpreneur Ottawa Conference held in partnership with Ottawa School of Art, Shenkman Arts Centre and Wallacks Gallery

2012

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN OPERATION

Marks 25 years of providing services, resources and promotion to support artists and arts groups in Ottawa.

Participate on the Steering Committee and in consultations that result in the City of Ottawa’s 2013-18 Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Culture and Heritage.

2011

10 YEARS OF SÉLECTIONS: JURIED ART EXHIBITION

SÉLECTIONS Juried Art Exhibition celebrates 10 years recognizing visual art works created by members

2010

ARTICIPATE ENDOWMENT FUND SUCESS

Articipate Endowment Fund campaign hits 93% of its target and the birth of an annual grant program. Donor wall is unveiled with a large community turn out at the Shenkman Arts Centre

2009

TD CANADA'S NON-PROFIT ORG OF THE YEAR

Shenkman Arts Centre grand opening with move into new office at the Centre. With membership climbing to over 400 individuals and the launch of the AOE Gallery.

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Received TD Canada Trust People’s Choice Business Award for Non-profit organization of the year

2008

NEW BRANDING, NEW NAME

New branding as AOE Arts Council to better reflect growing membership across Ottawa and broader representation in the sector

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Received major Ontario Trillium grant to develop capacity of Shenkman Arts Centre resident arts partners

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Annual Luncheon for the Arts of 16 years concludes and becomes Artinis and Appetizers soirée event

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Partnered to run Our Ottawa Still Includes Culture, another rally in response to a City Council proposed 54% cut to arts funding

2007

CELEBRATING THE FUTURE OF ARTS IN THE EAST

Sod-turning ceremony for the Shenkman Arts Centre and launch of the Articipate Endowment Fund campaign goal of $5 million

2006

YEAR OF COLLABORATIONS

Annual Internship Program started in partnership with University of Ottawa’s Arts Administration

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Joined the Arts Council’s Network (Ontario) steering committee to help define role of arts councils

2005

UNITING LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS IN ORLEANS

Spearheaded an exciting partnership to benefit local artists and residents between the Mouvement d’implication francophone d’Orléans, Orléans Young Players Theatre, Visual Arts Orléans and Gloucester Pottery School for a new East End Arts Centre.

Ottawa City Council voted to proceed with an innovative P3 model for the Centre – called a City-Shaping Development Strategy.

2004

ADVOCATING FOR THE ARTS

Gloucester Arts Council becomes Arts Ottawa East to reflect its expanding geography of representation.

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Participated in a community-wide campaign called My Ottawa Includes Culture stopping a proposed 80% cut to Ottawa City Council arts funding.

2003

NEW OPPORTUNITIES ESTBOUND

City Council voted to set aside funds for an east end arts facility and passed a motion stating that cultural funding should be increased annually until per capital funding was on a competitive basis with other major Canadian cities.

2002

WORKING ON THE GROUND

Ottawa Mayor Chiarelli hosted our annual Luncheon for the Arts and announced Ottawa 20/20 to include an arts and heritage master plan.

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Partnered with the City of Ottawa and Council for the Arts in Ottawa on Join the Crowd, an arts awareness campaign.

2001

CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR OUR PROGRAMS

Received Ontario Trillium Foundation three-year grant to develop community arts projects

2000

SUPPORTING YOUNG ARTISTS

Partnered with other arts groups to organized two public forums on how the restructuring of the City would affect the arts.

Launched a multi-year youth community development initiative to including Zygote arts magazine.

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Created advisory committees on youth and diversity related issues.

1999

HELPING THE COMMUNITY

Recognized by Ontario Arts Council as a leader in community arts development.

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Hosted first Community Arts Open house featuring members, kiosks, information and activities.

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InfoArts kiosk installed at Place d’Orléans shopping centre to promote member events and arts opportunities.

1998

ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL'S BEST COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL IN ONTARIO

Piloted first major community arts project involving over 25 artists and residents to create a raku ceramic mural for the Ottawa Public Library – North Gloucester Branch.

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Entered into an Arts & Heritage service agreement with the Township of Cumberland.

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Hosted first Annual Mayor’s Luncheon for Arts in collaboration with the Gloucester Chamber of Commerce.

1997

PAVING THE WAY

Signed a purchase of service agreement with City of Gloucester to provide service and profession assistance to groups, becoming the first arts council in Ontario to do so with their municipality.

1996

LAUNCHING COMMUNITY BOARDS

Artnews newsletter and Events Calendar disseminated to feature member artists and arts groups.

1995

OPPORTUNITIES COMING SOON

Gloucester Mayor Cain announced Lottery for the Arts to generate revenue toward a future arts facility. A non-profit board was created to lead the project.

1991

SUPPORTING THE ARTS WITH EVENTS

Organized FestivArts as a month-long spring celebration that featured members. Held first Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts.
Susan Pitt and Christine Tremblay appointed co-Executive Directors.

1988

FIRST OFFICIAL OFFICE

Opened an office at Cyrville Community Centre –then the hub for most needed East end meeting spaces, music and art studios.

1987

OFFICIALLY A NON-PROFIT!

Gloucester Arts Council incorporated as a non-profit charity.
Inaugural FestivArts and a Gala held at Gloucester City Hall.

1980

ARTS GLOUCESTER: VOLUNTEER GROUP

Our roots began with Arts Gloucester, a volunteer umbrella organization that had 15 cultural groups and more than 30 individual members.