AACO- Alliance of Arts Councils of Ontario

06/17/2026

📢 Registration is now open for the AACO 2026 Symposium!

Join arts service organizations from across Ontario on Monday, July 27, 2026, at CoMotion in Hamilton, Ontario, for a day of collaboration, learning, and advocacy.

This year's symposium will focus on policy influence and how our regional composition and distinctions enrich our collective voice. Together, we will explore how local priorities can inform both municipal and provincial advocacy efforts while strengthening our shared vision for the arts and culture sector.

Participants will:
✅ Engage in collaborative workshop exercises
✅ Explore regional and collective opportunities and challenges
✅ Identify the value arts and culture bring to communities and local economies
✅ Develop stronger policy and advocacy approaches
✅ Learn practical pathways for engaging government representatives
✅ Contribute to a vision of an enabling arts and culture ecosystem for all corners of Ontario

📍 AACO 2026 Symposium
Monday, July 27, 2026
CoMotion
62 King St E, Hamilton, ON

Pre-Symposium Networking Reception
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Vero Café
659 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON

🔗 Register today: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/hamiltonartscouncil/events/aaco-2026-symposium-1/

🚗 AACO Members: If travel costs may be a barrier to attending, please reach out to discuss our Travel Stipend opportunities. We would be happy to connect about your travel plans and explore how AACO can support your participation.

The stronger our regional voices, the stronger our collective impact.

AACO would like to thank the Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario for their support with this symposium.

06/16/2026

Meet the AACO 2026 Symposium Consultants

The Alliance of Arts Councils of Ontario (AACO) is pleased to welcome Bernadette Johnson and Tara Mazurk, Co-founders and Partners of Nonprofit Policy & Research (NP&R), as consultants for the AACO 2026 Symposium.

NP&R is a women-founded consulting practice dedicated to building the capacity of purpose-driven organizations to engage effectively in public policy, government relations, advocacy, and systems change.

Bernadette Johnson is a nonprofit policy strategist and charity sector leader with extensive experience advancing national coalitions and public policy reform. During her time at Imagine Canada, she helped secure changes to program funding, federal data collection, tax policy, and legal frameworks affecting the nonprofit sector. Her previous roles include Parliamentary staffer and archival research team lead for Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Bernadette holds master's degrees in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership from Carleton University and Conflict Studies from the University of Ottawa.

Tara Mazurk brings more than a decade of experience in lobbying, government relations, coalition building, organizational strategy, and policy development. A co-founder of Mass Culture and current Board member of Arts Build Ontario, Tara combines policy expertise with lived experience as a wellness practitioner and visual artist.

Together, Bernadette and Tara bring a deep understanding of how organizations can build influence, strengthen advocacy efforts, and create meaningful change through collaboration and public policy engagement.

ASO's - Join us in Hamilton as we explore how arts service organizations can work together to build a stronger, more connected, and more influential arts sector across Ontario.

Register 👉 https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/hamiltonartscouncil/events/aaco-2026-symposium-1/

06/12/2026

Arts service organizations from across Ontario are invited to join us in Hamilton for the AACO 2026 Symposium on Monday, July 27, 2026.

Hosted by the Alliance of Arts Councils of Ontario (AACO), this gathering brings together arts leaders, service organizations, sector partners, and advocates for a day of conversation, learning, collaboration, and shared vision for the future of the arts in Ontario.

📍 Symposium
CoMotion, Hamilton
Monday, July 27, 2026

We also invite attendees to join us for a Pre-Symposium Networking Reception on Sunday, July 26 at Vero Café, a vibrant local café and art gallery showcasing the work of local and regional artists. The reception offers an opportunity to connect with colleagues, partners, and speakers before the symposium begins.

📍 Networking Reception
Vero Café, Hamilton
Sunday, July 26, 2026

AACO is committed to supporting participation from organizations across the province. Members travelling longer distances are encouraged to connect with us regarding available travel support opportunities.

The strength of Ontario's arts sector lies in our ability to come together, share ideas, build partnerships, and advocate collectively for thriving communities where arts and culture are recognized as essential economic and social infrastructure.

Ticket registration - https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/hamiltonartscouncil/events/aaco-2026-symposium-1/

We look forward to welcoming you to Hamilton.

The AACO - Alliance of Arts Councils of Ontario would like to thank the Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario for their support!

04/19/2026

Application deadline: June 9, 2026 at 1 p.m. ET

🌱 Invest in Your Creative Growth: Support for Indigenous Arts Professionals & Arts Professionals of Colour
Looking to deepen your practice, build new skills or learn alongside mentors and peers? The Skills and Career Development: Indigenous Arts Professionals and Arts Professionals of Colour program supports meaningful professional growth through learning opportunities that strengthen artistic practice and advance careers.
This program is open to Indigenous arts professionals and arts professionals of colour, including ad hoc groups and collectives, working in both traditional and contemporary art forms. Supported activities include training, mentorship, apprenticeships, and other skill‑building opportunities.
📅 Application deadline: June 9, 2026 at 1 p.m. ET
Learn more about eligibility and how to apply: https://ow.ly/ua2N50YIrxJ
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🌱 Investissez dans votre développement créatif : soutien aux professionnel·le·s des arts autochtones et de la diversité culturelle
Vous souhaitez approfondir votre pratique, acquérir de nouvelles compétences ou apprendre aux côtés de mentor·e·s et de pair·e·s ? Le programme Développement de compétences et de carrière – professionnel·le·s des arts autochtones et de la diversité culturelle soutient un développement professionnel significatif grâce à des occasions d’apprentissage qui renforcent les pratiques artistiques et font progresser les carrières.
Ce programme s’adresse aux professionnel·le·s des arts autochtones et aux professionnel·le·s de la diversité culturelle — y compris les groupes ad hoc et les collectifs — travaillant dans des formes d’art traditionnelles et contemporaines. Les activités admissibles comprennent la formation, le mentorat, les stages et apprentissages, ainsi que d’autres occasions de développement des compétences.
👉 En savoir plus sur les critères d’admissibilité et la procédure de candidature : https://ow.ly/VXWm50YIrxH
📅 Date limite de candidature : 9 juin 2026 à 13 h (HE)

📸 KW Flamenco Fest

04/16/2026

At the recent National Summit for AI & Culture, one thing stood out — the voices of artists, the people most impacted, were largely missing.

That’s not just a gap. It’s a call to action.

We believe artists need to be part of shaping how AI intersects with arts and culture — not reacting to it after the fact. Your perspective matters. Your experience matters. Your voice matters.

Mass Culture / Mobilisation culturelle has launched a short Curiosity Poll for Artists to better understand how you’re engaging with AI — your thoughts, your concerns, your curiosity.

This isn’t a technical survey. It’s a listening exercise.

Take a few minutes. Speak up. Help shape what comes next.

📣 CALLING ALL ARTISTS!
AI is moving fast. Decisions are being made. But where are the artists?
At the recent National Summit for AI & Culture, one thing was missing for us - the voices of artists, the people most impacted.
We believe this gap is an opportunity and a responsibility. We’ve launched a short Curiosity Poll for Artists to understand how you’re actually engaging with AI. This is is not a technical survey. It’s a listening exercise. We’re curious about what you think?

👉 Take 5 minutes and share your perspective by April 27: https://survey.zohopublic.ca/zs/JLBwR0

Let’s make sure the future of AI in arts and culture is shaped with artists, not without them.

04/11/2026

A Welcoming Invitation by the Quinte Arts Council We invite arts organizations, artists, and community members to come together in a spirit of respect, curiosity, and shared responsibility. This gathering offers a space to listen, learn, and build relationships grounded in allyship and understanding...