MISSION

SPAO cultivates an inclusive community of distinct artistic vision, critical dialogue and technical expertise in the photographic arts through exhibition, partnerships and education.

WHAT MAKES SPAO UNIQUE?

SPAO is an independent, charitable, not-for-profit photographic visual arts institution. SPAO is home to the only 2-year photographic arts college diploma program in Canada, a unique 6-month international artist residency, numerous recreational part-time classes, and the only independent and critical gallery in the region dedicated to lens-based art. SPAO also maintains the most well-appointed darkroom and alternative processes lab in the region, enabling education and exploration in historic and alternative photographic techniques.  

WHY DONATE TO SPAO?

SPAO is primarily self-funded. All exhibitions, events and special programming is accomplished through grants, partnerships, sponsorships and individual donations like yours.  These include critical exhibitions featuring regional, national and international artists as well as panel discussions, portfolio reviews and artist bursaries. SPAO donations have not only enabled us to outfit our new facility with much-needed equipment but also create a number of free public and alumni programming opportunities. 

Through community support and donations, SPAO plans on expanding our SPAO bursary opportunities, exhibition programming, education and residency opportunities as well as form partnerships that will enable our voice to reach farther than ever before. 

Our 4 Pillars of Offerings:

Facility and equipment: SPAO teaches traditional and historic photographic processes and maintains access to antiquated equipment; maintenance of this can be costly.

• Maintenance for the largest accessible darkroom in the region
• For well-rounded and multi-practice artists, we invest in the newest and most critical technologies
• Facility beautification for our students and community

 Bursaries and Awards:

• With our bursaries and awards, we strive to highlight and recognize high-achieving students with financial need
• Nurturing the next generation of artists/photographers through the Luna, Sphinx, Jason Michaels and Solstice bursaries
• To remove barriers in education, the Spectrum Bursary was established to support artists of racialized and underrepresented communities
• In collaboration with the Ottawa Arts Council and the Ottawa Art Gallery, the Project X Award brings recognition to the further Ottawa arts community

Gallery Programming:

• Operating the only independent and critical photographic art gallery in the region
• Our gallery programming brings some of the most important Canadian and International photographic artists to Ottawa
• Operating as the nation’s capital, we believe Ottawa is an important location for artistic discourse and connection within the diplomatic community

Free Public Programming:

• Online artists talks and virtual programming
• In-person community events
• Educational opportunities for schools, youth and community groups