Ottawa’s arts and culture sector is a vital part of the city’s identity, economy, and community well-being. At the heart of this ecosystem is Arts Ottawa, an organization dedicated to strengthening the arts by bringing people together, advocating for change, and supporting sustainable growth across the sector.
Understanding the mission of Arts Ottawa helps clarify why coordinated support, shared resources, and collective leadership are essential to a thriving cultural community.
A Unified Voice for Ottawa’s Arts Community
Arts Ottawa exists to champion, connect, and support the city’s diverse arts organizations, artists, and cultural workers. Rather than focusing on individual disciplines, Arts Ottawa works across the entire arts sector—recognizing that collaboration is key to long-term success.
By acting as a collective voice, Arts Ottawa helps ensure that arts organizations are represented in conversations about funding, policy, equity, and community development. This unified approach strengthens advocacy efforts and amplifies the impact of the arts at the municipal, provincial, and national levels.
Building Capacity and Sustainability in the Arts
A core part of Arts Ottawa’s mission is helping arts organizations become more resilient and sustainable. This includes supporting:
- Organizational development and leadership
- Knowledge sharing and peer collaboration
- Access to resources, tools, and best practices
- Long-term planning in a changing cultural landscape
Strong arts organizations are better equipped to serve their communities, adapt to challenges, and continue delivering meaningful cultural experiences. Arts Ottawa’s work focuses on building that foundation—so creativity can flourish without constant instability.
Advancing Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Arts Ottawa is committed to fostering an arts community that is inclusive, equitable, and representative of Ottawa’s diversity. This means supporting initiatives that reduce barriers to participation, amplify underrepresented voices, and promote fair access to opportunities within the arts sector.
By embedding equity and inclusion into its mission, Arts Ottawa helps ensure that the arts remain accessible—not just to audiences, but to creators, administrators, and cultural leaders from all backgrounds.
Why Arts Ottawa’s Mission Matters
A strong arts sector benefits everyone. It contributes to local economic growth, enhances quality of life, supports tourism, and builds social connection. Arts Ottawa’s mission recognizes that these outcomes are not accidental—they require coordination, advocacy, and sustained investment.
Through collective action, Arts Ottawa helps create an environment where arts and culture are valued as essential components of a healthy, vibrant city.
Supporting the Future of Arts and Culture in Ottawa
The mission of Arts Ottawa goes beyond supporting individual projects or organizations. It is about strengthening the entire ecosystem so that arts and culture continue to thrive for generations to come.
By bringing people together, advocating for systemic change, and building capacity across the sector, Arts Ottawa plays a crucial role in shaping Ottawa’s cultural future—one where creativity, collaboration, and community are at the centre.
Get Involved with Ottawa’s Arts Community
Arts Ottawa works to strengthen and advocate for a vibrant, inclusive arts ecosystem across the city. Whether you’re an artist, arts organization, or community supporter, there are many ways to connect and contribute.
👉 Learn more about Arts Ottawa’s mission and impact:
https://www.artsottawa.ca/about