Arts Network Ottawa has a long history of working with professional artists and the community to co-create arts projects.
Neighbourhood Arts 150
In 2017, we brought together 12 local artists and arts groups to create 170 free arts activities for residents in 21 communities across the Ottawa region. Through hands-on workshops, performances and installations, a diverse population of every age and background engaged directly with artists from dancers to DJs to co-create works of art that shared what it means to be Canadian, amplifying the voices of community partners, and promoting lasting relationships with participating local groups.
Program funder and partners: Government of Canada, Ontario 150, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, Ottawa 2017, Ottawa Community Foundation, Trinity Development Foundation, Metroland Media, Danbe Foundation, Jewel Radio 98.5 + over 40 community partners.
Art Place
From 2014-2017, we organized a 3-year community-engaged arts program that brought together local artists and arts groups with non-profit community organizations across Ottawa. As a pilot community-engaged arts initiative, Art Place addressed a gap in artistic programming, such as the demand for arts-based projects in immigration service facilities, community centers, and seniors’ organizations. The goals of the program were to raise understanding on social issues and foster support for the arts in the way it can have a profound impact on resident’s lives.
Program funders and partners: Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ottawa Community Foundation, Shenkman Family Foundation, Trinity Development Foundation, Danbe Foundation, Ontario Arts Council, Community Arts and Social Engagement, City of Ottawa, Harry P. Ward Foundation.
Community Art Projects 1999 – 2014
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Origami installation (non-permanent)
Shenkman Arts Centre, 2014 Led by: Karen Goetzinger, Visual artist Celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Shenkman Arts Centre, Karen Goetzinger led a community collaboration where people of many ages, cultural backgrounds and skill levels contributed origami shapes and personal messages that connected what art meant to the participant. The result was a paper installation representing a community who valued the arts in their lives. |
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Stained glass panel
Shenkman Arts Centre, 2009 Installation: Arts Network Ottawa, Main office Led by: Michel Martel, Stained Glass Artist Created during the Shenkman Arts Centre’s inaugural weekend, artist Michel Martel invited visitors to place a piece of coloured glass on the window panel to fill in areas in a mosaic style. |
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Limited edition: 250 printed copies, 2002
Led by: Writer and musician Phil Jenkins in collaboration with youth of Operation Go Home Street youth and author Phil Jenkins came together for a series of creative writing and song-writing workshops. The result was a 91-page bound book featuring the writing of 9 street youth with proceeds going toward further community art collaborations with Operation Go Home. |
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Façade mural
Cyrville Community Centre, 2000 Led by Louise Michaud, visual artist Murals were painted on the outside of Cyrville Community Centre to demonstrate the activities held at the community centre, as part of a day of festivities put on by the City of Gloucester and the Gloucester Arts Council (now Arts Network Ottawa). |
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Tapestry
Place D’Orléans, 1999 Led by: Thoma Ewen, Fibre Artist Held at Place D’Orléans Shopping Centre as one of the the Gloucester Arts Council’s (now Arts Network Ottawa) Festivarts activities, the public joined in the weaving to leave their creative mark. The large-scale tapestry reveals the unique pieces created by the community resulting in a colourful and unified final artwork that remains as part of Arts Network Ottawa’s permanent collection, in their Main office. |
