Arts Ottawa has revamped its eligibility criteria for the capital’s annual awards, a move organizers say, widens the circle of recognition and reflects changes affecting the local arts scene.
The awards also acknowledge the impact artists and arts leaders have on the community.
“The Arts Ottawa Awards celebrate the artists, cultural workers, organizations and community builders who make Ottawa’s arts sector thrive. The awards recognize impactful creative work and meaningful contributions that strengthen our city’s cultural life,” the organization says.
“Recently redesigned, the Arts Ottawa Awards now reflect a more inclusive, community-centred approach, honouring excellence across disciplines, practices, and ways of working. This year’s recipients exemplify the creativity, care, and commitment that continue to shape Ottawa’s vibrant arts ecosystem.”
Six awards were handed out at a Feb. 5 ceremony held at the National Arts Centre. The recipients were:
- Oluchi Eze, a “photographer and community builder whose portrait work explores identity, emotion and growth”;
- The Grove Studio, a Louisa Street visual arts studio “supporting creativity and collaboration”;
- Aly Joy-Lily McDonald, an artist and community facilitator of “art-based healing programs”;
- Éditions L’Interligne, a Montreal Road publisher and promoter of French-Canadian literature;
- Jacqui Du Toit, a theatrical performer, storyteller who’s co-founder of The Origin Arts and Community Centre in Mechanicsville and a board member of the Great Canadian Theatre Company;
- Beandigen Café, an Indigenous-owned café and creative space at Lansdowne Park run by Anishinaabe artists Paual and Jayde Naponse.
Each recipient receives a $1,000 cash prize, as well as mentorship and support throughout the year ahead from Arts Ottawa.
For this 36th edition of the awards, Arts Ottawa implemented several changes to application forms and the assessment criteria following a lengthy review.
According to Nicole Milne, who is in charge of co-leadership, operations and revenue generation at Arts Ottawa, the goal was to keep the awards relevant within the community and adapt them to reflect the current arts scene.
The idea of updating the awards was first raised in 2019, but didn’t start to be considered until after the completion of a merger of Arts Network Ottawa and the Ottawa Arts Council in 2023, which resulted in the new Arts Ottawa organization.
“They began as a … small ceremony and acknowledgement of the impact that artists and arts leaders make in the community,” said Milne. “Then the popularity grew exponentially over the past 15 years.”
In 2025, Arts Ottawa created a community advisory circle that involved various artists, cultural workers and arts community stakeholders to analyze the awards. The circle also received advice from arts council representatives across Canada.
“We were asking them to take a look at the criteria, the history of the awards,” Milne said. “Are they relevant to the community that are doing the work, but also that enjoy the work?”
Changes made include altering language in the application letter to exclude labeling artists as being “emerging” or in their “mid-career.”
“The segregating of and siloing of different areas in the awards was actually outlined as a barrier for the community,” said Milne.
Recently redesigned, the Arts Ottawa Awards now reflect a more inclusive, community-centred approach, honouring excellence across disciplines, practices, and ways of working. This year’s recipients exemplify the creativity, care, and commitment that continue to shape Ottawa’s vibrant arts ecosystem.
— Arts Ottawa
Additionally, instead of being open to artists exclusively, anyone who is determined to be an arts contributor was invited to apply. In its co-design process report, Arts Ottawa said it wanted to move away from using the word “artist” in favour of welcoming “creative” applicants.
As stated on the Arts Ottawa website “individuals, collectives, volunteer-led organizations, youth, non-arts organizations contributing to the arts are all eligible for the awards.”
Because of the changes made to the criteria, non-arts organizations and businesses were eligible for the awards.
Adrienne Row-Smith, co-founder of The Grove, calls the visual arts studio and queer community art space a “niche business.”
The Grove primarily rents out its studio to photographers and videographers, but also hosts a wide range of events such as “crafternoons” and ballet classes.
In reference to the changes in awards-related language made by Arts Ottawa, Row-Smith said language is “a subjective field” and prefers the term “artist” to “creative.”
“I think everyone that we have in here that is doing an art space or creative practice is an artist, because I think everyone is creative already,” said Row-Smith, adding she doesn’t mind the change.
“If it’s more accessible, if that’s the thinking behind it, that’s cool,” Row-Smith said.
The Grove does not qualify for many grants because they are not a non-profit, so Row-Smith said she appreciates the cash prize and resources Arts Ottawa will provide as part of the award.
The Grove plans on using the money to help pay the rent for their space.
“It’s not the most … sexy option,” Row-Smith said, “but you know, it does cost money unfortunately to run this space, so we’d like to keep it open.”
Alex Maltby, program manager at Arts Ottawa, highlighted the fact that one of the nominees for this year’s awards — later a winner of the prize — was a café, Beandigen.
“It’s a capital-B business,” said Maltby. “But the way it contributes to cultural infrastructure is so significant that they deserve this … recognition.”
The community advisory circle also emphasized that the awards ceremony should feel celebratory and positive instead of promoting competition.
“This is not about competition, it’s about recognition,” said Maltby.
Milne emphasized that the awards ceremony now aims to serve as a meeting place for Ottawa creatives to discuss their craft and network amongst themselves.
“We have a welcome reception,” said Milne. “It’s an opportunity to mix and mingle with the recipients, the supporters… something just a little bit off to the side prior to the event itself.”
Maltby said Arts Ottawa will work to maintain a relationship with the recipients throughout the year following the awards, saying they don’t want to be “like a one-time, like, thanks, shake your hand, here’s your cheque, and then we disappear.”
Winners will also receive free headshots and promotional assets for building their brand.
“We wanted to have a sustained engagement with these people,” said Maltby. “So in addition to money … and this cash prize, we’re also offering … ongoing mentorship … throughout the course of the year.”
