ABOUT

ABOUT

This newly renovated historic landmark located in the heart of the fashion, arts, and theatre district in downtown Ottawa is a buzz of creativity. Artists come to experiment, working alongside Ottawa’s leading multi-disciplinary arts organizations, to offer the freshest creative experiences for a global stage.

Enjoy theatre, dance, concerts, films, talks, exhibits, hands-on workshops, and special events all year round. See the Events Calendar to find out what’s on, or wander in to visit the galleries, be wowed by the public art inside and out, and take in the beautiful heritage architecture. 

The building boasts the City’s best teched out performance venues, rehearsal halls, screening rooms and creation studios; check out our Venue Rentals for a full listing. The site is also connected to the new Ottawa Art Gallery and the University of Ottawa LabO. Visit us today.

HISTORY

In 1974, a dedicated group of artists and arts supporters pursued a vision: to find a home for Ottawa’s professional arts producers and presenters. In 1978, Mayor Marion Dewar’s Advisory Group on the Arts recommended the establishment of a municipal arts centre, an arts council, an arts festival, and a permanent art collection for the City.

Before Arts Court was an arts centre, it served as the Carleton County Court House. Built for this purpose between 1870 and 1871, the Court House was part of a legal precinct that included the former Carleton County Jail, the Carleton County Registry Office, and the former City Registry Office on Nicholas Street.

The building was designated for demolition by the Ontario Government in 1980. However, in 1985, the City of Ottawa took ownership of the building and designated the Ottawa Arts Court Foundation trustees as its custodians. It came back to life and became Ottawa’s central arts hub in 1988.

GOVERNANCE

Arts Court is City-operated in collaboration with the Residents Steering Committee which works towards proposing solutions and processes that build a fair and progressive arts centre. The Committee strives to benefit the collective best interests of the centre and the cultural community while respecting artistic integrity and individual organizational mandates. 

The Committee membership comprises nine distinct resident organizations, seven of which do on-site programming/producing and two office tenants. Check out the complete directory.