Advocating for the arts
World Class Art. Big local impact.
At the Ottawa Art Gallery, we are proud to champion the vital role of the arts in building vibrant, inclusive communities by supporting local artists, advancing arts education, and pushing for equitable access to culture.
Through partnerships, public engagement, and policy dialogue, we work to ensure that the arts are recognized, funded, and celebrated as a driving force for social change and civic pride.
Impact of the Arts
The OAG contributes $9 million annually to the local economy.
A thriving arts community strengthens the economy, tourism, and social cohesion.
Visitor facing arts and culture sectors in Eastern Ontario generated $1.2 billion in GDP.
The OAG reached over 400,000 people onsite, offsite, and online in 2024.
OAG in Action
Fuel Creative Careers
Supporting artists at all stages of their careers.
Amplify Diverse Voices
Serving as a resource for communities to tell their story.
Ensure Art is Accessible to All
Ensuring that accessibility to art remains in a barrier free environment.
Community Revitalization
Embracing the power of art and culture to transform downtown Ottawa.
Connect Art and Wellness
Showcasing the vital role the arts play in fostering well-being.
Faces of the OAG
The Ottawa Art Gallery is an incredibly important destination in our region. It is a platform that promotes cultural awareness, drives economic development, and where artists can showcase their work.
Andrew PeckDowntown Rideau BIA 
Having such a prestigious institution in the city provides much-needed support to local artists; it creates an environment of encouragement and recognition.
Norman TakeuchiArtist 
At the Ottawa Art Gallery I’m a part of it, I feel really connected to it and it’s a space that’s accessible.
LisaCreative Space Artist 
The Ottawa Art Gallery represented an opportunity to realize a really key missing part of city building, namely to build our own gallery and establish our own identity as a city for creative people.
Ben GianniDonor 
For me OAG reflects the community that it’s trying to represent, the communities that enter the space and I think that is so key and so important to artmaking, the industry and curation in general. I’m so happy to have gotten my introduction to the industry and to start my career here as a Curator.
Yanaminah Thullah2023 Community Guest Curator 
The OAG is deeply committed to the people who embody the heart and soul of the institution – Artists, Donors, Visitors, Partners, Communities, Board, Staff, and Volunteers.
Stories
Bruyère Health patients and artist Christopher Griffin bring their inspiring Hallways of Hope collection to the Ottawa Art Gallery. The...
![Aimee-Rose Philibert, British Columbia, Vent de Mélisse [Melissa’s Journey], 2025, watercolour on raw canvas. Winner: Authenticity in Reflecting Lived Experience. Dimensions: 28” x 40”.](https://oaggao.ca/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Banner_Artwork_Philibert-rebndcehq0sh2ooexx2v1osb35vjl0ekxbqmgohtrs.jpeg "Aimee-Rose Philibert, British Columbia, Vent de Mélisse [Melissa’s Journey], 2025, watercolour on raw canvas. Winner: Authenticity in Reflecting Lived Experience. Dimensions: 28” x 40”.")
National Art Exhibition Inspires Canadian Artists to Reimagine the End of Life What does it mean to die well? A...
Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity that inspires people everywhere to give back to their communities. This December...