The Fund
The Articipate Endowment Fund was established in 2007 by Arts Network Ottawa in partnership with the City of Ottawa to support artistic programming in professional spaces at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Arts Network Ottawa is the steward of the Fund and is responsible for its promotion, administration and sustainability.
Each year, the interest earned on the Articipate Endowment Fund is distributed in the form of grants to Resident Arts Partners (Arts Network Ottawa, Gloucester Pottery School, MIFO, Ottawa School of Art – Orléans Campus and Ottawa School of Theatre), and as Articipate Project Grants to local artists and arts organizations that will present or exhibit their work in professional spaces at the Centre.
Project Grant recipients use funding toward rehearsal and production costs, to enhance their creative team, to create original work or to support promotional efforts. Project Grants are determined through a jury process.
The Articipate Endowment Fund is made possible through the generosity of the Province of Ontario, foundations, local businesses and individuals whom we thank for their leadership and gratefully acknowledge on our Donor Wall.
Objectives of the Fund
Foster
The presentation and exhibition of high quality artistic work at the Shenkman Arts Centre
Spark
Collaborative projects involving more than one artist and/or arts organization
Invest
In local Ottawa artists and arts organizations of all levels and disciplines
Encourage
English, French and bilingual artistic activities at the Centre
Provide
Access to Shenkman Arts Centre spaces to non-resident artists and arts organizations
Support
Activities of the Resident Arts Partners of the Shenkman Arts Centre*
2020 – 2021
Updates on disbursement coming soon.
Past Recipients
2019
A total of $23,552 in funding was awarded to 16 grant projects.
2016
A total of $20,975 in funding was awarded to 10 grant projects.
2013
A total of $18,750 in funding was awarded to 14 grant projects.
2018
A total of $26,250 in funding was awarded to 16 grant projects.
2015
A total of $24,450 in funding was awarded to 14 grant projects.
2012
A total of $17,405 in funding was awarded to 13 grant projects.
2010
A total of $15,000 in funding was awarded to 8 grant projects.
2017
A total of $24 525 in funding was awarded to 13 grant projects.
2014
A total of $15,195 in funding was awarded to 12 grant projects.
2011
A total of $16,255 in funding was awarded to 11 grant projects.
Donate
Donate to the Articipate Endowment Fund and help build the cultural life in Ottawa! Due to the generosity of the Shenkman Family Foundation, all donations to the Articipate Endowment Fund were matched dollar-for-dollar before December 31, 2018 (up to $100,000). Your donation, large or small, will be doubled and have twice the impact on the arts and culture in Ottawa.
Your donation builds a stable source of funding for artists and arts organizations. Through grants, the Fund supports the artistic activities at the Shenkman Arts Centre and will do so for generations to come, not to mention benefiting the local economy.
With an Articipate grant, I will have my very first solo exhibition – a milestone that has been decades in the making. I will use the funds to prepare and frame paintings and photographs for formal exhibition, and print special postcards to advertise the show
Chinh Nguyen
Visual and Media Arts Artist
F.A.Q.
Who can apply for funding?
The Articipate Project Grant Program supports:
- Local artists and arts organizations of all levels and disciplines who wish to present or exhibit high-quality work in the Shenkman Arts Centre
- Access to Shenkman Arts Centre spaces to artists and arts organizations who are not part of our Resident Arts Partners programming
- English, French and bilingual artistic activities in the Shenkman Arts Centre
- Collaborative projects involving more than one artist and/or arts organization.
Please refer to the Project Grants Guidelines for more information on the grant application process
What is an Endowment Fund?
An Endowment Fund is a secure investment that generates interest. The original donation is invested and only the interest that is earned annually is spent on a designated purpose. In our case, the interest earned is distributed in the form of grants at the Shenkman Arts Centre. This Fund will provide an ongoing source of programming revenue in perpetuity, or forever.
What is the goal of the Articipate Endowment Fund?
The Articipate Endowment Fund enhances artistic activity at the Shenkman Arts Centre. The Fund distributes grants to support high quality artistic activities of all disciplines. Grants are awarded to local artists and arts organizations that will be presenting or exhibiting their work in the Centre.
How will the Articipate Endowment Fund provide long-term funding and support for the arts?
As a secured investment, the Articipate Endowment Fund will provide long-term funding as only the interest earned on the Fund is distributed. The original donation remains protected, and unspent. Each year, the interest earned from the Fund is distributed through Program Grants to the artists, and organizations as well as to the Centre’s Resident Arts Partners. In fact, the more the investment grows, the more it gives back to the artistic community.
Does the existence of the Endowment Fund mean there will be a reduction on the City of Ottawa’s arts funding?
No. The Articipate Endowment Fund is a separate source of private funds and is not a part of the City of Ottawa’s arts funding program, nor will it ever be. The City responds independently to applications it receives for arts and culture funding through its own annual budget.
The Articipate Endowment Fund is not for distribution by the City, but through a stewardship agreement with Arts Network Ottawa and is only available for use within the Shenkman Arts Centre.
Who will benefit from the Articipate Endowment Fund?
We all do! The community is the biggest benefactor of the Articipate Endowment Fund – as audiences, learners and participants at the Centre. The community benefits from increased and exceptional programming and arts activities at the Centre. As well, performers, artists and musicians who receive a Program Grant benefit from access to funding available through the Articipate Grant Program in support of their practice. Additionally, the Resident Arts Partners benefit, through a separate grant program to support programming in the Centre.
Who manages the Fund’s investments?
The capital of the Fund is held in trust for the local arts community as these funds are neither the property of the Arts Council nor the City of Ottawa. With guidance from our Articipate Investment Committee, the City of Ottawa’s Treasury Department is charged with investing the Fund’s capital in a designated reserve fund that follows City of Ottawa investment policies.
Where did the funds from for the Endowment Fund come from?
Initially, funds were raised through a Campaign launched in 2007 and received from many private and corporate donors in the community, as well as from the Province of Ontario. Throughout the facility you will see named spaces recognizing major gifts made to the endowment fund in perpetuity.
While major gifts built the endowment, smaller gifts made from the community have made the fund grow over the years. The Donor Wall acknowledges the vital support of all gifts made to the Fund since 2007.
Can I still make a donation to the Fund?
Yes! On-going donations of any size are most welcome from the community, in memoriam, or made through an estate. Additionally, seat plaques may also be purchased for $500 or $750. Recognition for seat plaques in the Harold Shenkman Hall are in perpetuity. To make a contribution in support of our thriving arts community, please click on the Donate button.
There are still a limited number of Naming Rights (in perpetuity) available within the Shenkman Arts Centre ($15K – $125K). Feel free to contact Margo Hébert at margo@artsnetottawa.ca for more information and a personal proposal.
Who is Arts Network Ottawa?
Arts Network Ottawa believes that the arts help build strong communities. Since 1987, we have championed the arts community in the Ottawa region to advance a thriving arts scene. As a bilingual arts service organization with over 300 members, we provide local artists, arts groups and cultural workers with paid opportunities, programs, resources and services to present and promote their work, share and learn through professional development and network. We represent an informed voice and collaborate with community partners to generate awareness about the creative, social and economic benefits of the Arts. Arts Network Ottawa is a non-profit, registered charitable organization 12177 7023 RR0001.

Contact Us
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or would like to talk with our organization about the grant program, the application process, or how to become a donor. Be sure to read our F.A.Q. for answers to many of the common questions we get from applicants and donors!
Articipate Endowment Fund
c/o Arts Network Ottawa
Shenkman Arts Centre
245 Centrum Blvd., Suite 260
Ottawa, ON K1E 0A1
Tel. 613-580-2767
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