Develop Culture
Culture starts with connection – Join us as a Cultural Liaison [Deadline Extended]
This fall, the Cultural Development and Initiatives Unit is looking to contract individuals to serve as Inuit and francophone culture liaisons. These roles are essential to ensuring that Ottawa’s next Municipal Culture Plan reflects the voices, experiences and cultural richness of all communities.
Whether you’re deeply rooted in the local urban Indigenous and Inuit communities or part of Ottawa’s vibrant Franco-Ontarian or francophone newcomer communities, your perspective matters!
What’s the opportunity?
Each liaison will lead community engagement and research to inform the 2026–2031 Culture Plan. This includes:
Gathering stories, ideas and feedback from community members
Identifying cultural needs, priorities and challenges
Helping shape a city-wide definition of culture
Supporting the development of a five-year action plan
Mapping cultural spaces, resources and artists
Who we’re looking for
Inuit Liaison
Must be a member of a recognized Inuit or Métis nation
Contract value: up to $30,000
Timeline: October 2025 – March 2026
Apply by: October 30, 2025
Contact: caroline.matt@ottawa.ca
Francophone Culture Liaisons (2 positions)
Must have lived experience or strong ties to Franco-Ontarian or francophone newcomer communities
Contract value: up to $10,000 each
Timeline: October – December 2025
Apply by: October 30, 2025
Contact: Thomas.Radford@ottawa.ca
How to apply?
Send your application to culture@ottawa.ca or infoculture@ottawa.ca depending on the role. Applications can be submitted in written, audio, or video format. Please include a letter of interest and a résumé or portfolio. For more info, visit our page.
New, More Comprehensive Culture Plan Engagement Survey Available Until November 1
We've heard the call for more opportunities to engage online! If you missed us at one of our pop-ups this summer, we've recently replaced the single-question pulse survey with a more in-depth survey option. Survey takers will have the option of a short (3 minute) or long (10 minute) version of the survey.
English and French-language versions of the survey can be accessed through Engage Ottawa.
We are also happy to announce that the survey is now available in a number of additional languages commonly spoken in Ottawa! Both the short and long form of the survey are available in Spanish and Persian/Dari. The short form of the survey is available through Ottawa's Next Culture Plan | Multilingual Engagement Survey in the following languages:
Arabic
Chinese
Italian
Persian/Dari
Punjabi
Spanish
Urdu
The survey is also available in Somali. Please email culture@ottawa.ca for a copy!
Upcoming Cultural Funding Deadlines
The Heritage Funding Program and Equity and Inclusion in the Arts Grow and Sustain programs are open for applications!
Apply online through our portal for support to create, learn and grow.
Heritage Funding Program Deadline: November 5, 2025, at 4 PM (ET)
Consult the website for more information: Cultural funding | City of Ottawa