Ottawa School of Art

The Ottawa School of Art offers a full range of specialized art courses for adults, teens and children in drawing, painting, photography, sculpture and ceramics, printmaking, cartooning and more.

We host artist-in-residence workshops, operate an art boutique, curate exhibitions in our downtown and Orléans galleries, host solo and group shows by local and international artists, and run the Lee Matasi Gallery for student showcases as well as an off-site presentation space (Preston Square/Waterford Group).

The OSA also offers a three-year fine arts diploma, a one-year portfolio certificate, a not-for-credit arts Fundamentals certificate and a community outreach program.

TOP FUNDING SOURCES

• TUITION, MEMBERSHIP AND OTHER FEES: 61%
• GRANTS: 34%
• FUNDRAISING: 5%

Fundraising priorities

The outreach program is dedicated to removing all economic barriers (no enrolment fees, no art supply costs, art instructor provided and no transportation) as the classes are taught in the neighbourhood at a local community house or community centre. Participants are also given the opportunity to showcase their work in a group exhibition held each year in our downtown gallery.

For students who are unable to afford the full cost of a course, we have a bursary program that, along with funding set aside in the annual budget, is made possible by several named and anonymous donors. The value of each individual bursary given depends on the level of financial assistance indicated on the application form and the availability of funds.

These programs are supported through our fundraising initiatives and donations are also accepted online, by phone, in-person and by post.

Your donation will support:

• Our Bursary program which supplements tuition costs for students who are unable to afford the full cost of a course or day camp
• Outreach programming that provides free community-based art classes and art supplies for children and youth
• Three (3) accessible Gallery spaces open for free to the public that attract over 50,000 visitors each year
• Visiting Artist and Artist-in-Residence programming that allows local, national and international artists to create and present new work and enrich the experience of our students

EVENTS + FUNDRAISING

Holiday Fundraising Art Sale

(Nov 17- Dec 4, 2022): Works by local artists and members of the school are exhibited in our downtown gallery at 35 George St. and available for purchase. Proceeds are split between the artist and the school with funds raised going towards our bursary and outreach programs. With 35% of the proceeds going towards OSA programming, and 65% going to participating artists.

Golf Fore Art!

(June 15, 2023): Our 6th Annual Charity Golf Tournament invites teams of four to tee off and compete in 18 holes. Providing our teams with a boxed lunch, dinner, awards ceremony and an opportunity to bid at our silent auction, we offer several sponsorship packages to help make this event happen each year.

Join us for the 38th Annual Holiday Art Sale. Come see local artists artwork available for purchase this Holiday season.