City invests $600,000 to support local artists, cultural groups, and community events for Ottawa’s 200th anniversary

Ottawa’s 200th anniversary will be celebrated through a wide range of free, community-based cultural and neighbourhood events across the city, supported by new investments announced todayby Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and City staff alongside Alexandra Badzak, Executive Director and CEO, Ottawa Art Gallery.

Local artists and organizations will bring events and art installations to neighbourhoods throughout the city with the support of a $600,000 investment from the City of Ottawa. 

The focus is on making Ottawa’s bicentennial accessible to residents in every part of the city with programming that reflects local stories, neighbourhood identity, and the diversity of communities that make up Ottawa today.

Funding is split between two streams: artist/creator grants and civic events. Events and art installations will take place in 20 different wards, with many projects reaching multiple communities.

Local artists and organizations were invited to submit applications to the two funding streams. In selecting the successful applicants, emphasis was placed on projects that reflected Ottawa’s diversity, strong community roots, support for emerging artists and underrepresented voices.

The Ottawa 200 Artist/Creator Grant Program supports 15 local recipients working in visual arts, performing arts, media arts, and multidisciplinary projects.These projects bring together artists, musicians, and creators to produce work that reflects Ottawa’s history, identity, and communities under the theme Celebrate Together.

A total of $300,000 has been allocated to support this stream, including support for organizations that help emerging and early-career artists develop and present their work. 

Recipients include:

• Pazaman Circle Collective
• Artengine Inc.
• Les Éditions David
• Ottawa Music Industry Coalition
• Youth Infringement Festival
• West Side Pride

The Ottawa 200 Civic Events Funding Program is supporting 33 community-led events that will bring free and accessible celebrations into neighbourhoods across the city.A total of $300,000 has been allocated to 33 recipients, including support for five groups that received grants of up to $25,000 that will hosthigh-impact celebrations.

Recipients include

• African Canadian Association of Ottawa
  • Multicultural Festival
• Communauté Bandjoun
  • Bicentennaire de Bytown à travers les Nations !
• Musée Bytown Museum
  • Ottawa 200+: Bytown Together
• Ottawa Sport Council
  • 200 sports. 2 Days. Everyone Plays.
• RAFIO (Résilience Active des Familles Immigrantes en Ontario)
  • 200 ans de la fondation de Bytown à Ottawa : Rassemblement communautaire interculturel

Further details about each grant, all of the recipients and milestone dates can be found on the City’s website. 

Details were also shared today about the Ottawa 200 Block Party, taking place at Marion Dewar Plaza at City Hall on Saturday, September 26. This free, all-ages event will bring together local artists, performers, food vendors, and activities for a full day of celebration in the heart of the city. 

More details about the programming will be announced once plans are confirmed. Learn more about what’s happening for Ottawa’s big year at Ottawa200.ca

“Ottawa 200 is about celebrating the people, stories, and communities that have shaped our city over the past 200 years and continue to shape it today. These initiatives are meant to bring people together in every part of our city. At its heart, this is about pride in our city, stronger connections between neighbours. It gives people a chance to come together close to home and celebrate Ottawa 200 in a way that feels personal and accessible. "

Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa