The National Capital Region offers many opportunities for schools to visit museums, theatres and concert halls, as well as to invite artists into the classroom for workshops, performances and readings. The following is a listing of Ottawa-area arts organizations offering programs for schools.
Multi-Disciplinary Organizations
Education Foundation of Ottawa (613) 596-8211 ext. 8303
Workshop: The Education Foundation of Ottawa administers the annual Marjorie Loughrey Award, which provides one school with a free, week-long, artist residency.
MASC (613) 725-9119
Workshops: MASC offers workshops with professional artists in drama, dance, music, visual arts, media and literary arts. Most half- and full-day workshops cost $275-$375.
Residencies: MASC administers an "Artist in Residence" program, which offers schools curriculum-integrated (ArtsSmarts) and other arts experiences over a 3- to 10-day period.
Performance:MASC offers performances for up to 300 students for a fee of $325-$800.
Inquire about subsidies for workshops, performances and residencies, especially for under-serviced schools, special needs students and rural schools.
National Arts Centre (613) 947-7000
Workshop: The English Theatre program offers in-school workshops at $150 (one hour), $250 (half-day) or $350 (fullday). For schools attending matinee plays at the NAC, pre- or post-performance workshops are available for $150. French Theatre offers day packages in partnership with the National Gallery and the Canadian War Museum.
Performance: Student Matinees at the NAC in music, dance and theatre cost $7.50 to $15 per student. The NAC Orchestra’s Student Open Rehearsals are free for students in Grades 8 to 12. For elementary classes attending a French Theatre matinee, theatre professionals offer conferences a week before and a week after the performances, at a cost of $5 per student. In the Musicians in the Schools program, members of the NAC Orchestra perform at schools to audiences of up to 300, for $190-$340.
Ontario Arts Council “Artists in Education” program (416) 961-1660, toll-free 1-800-387-0058
Workshop: The Ontario Arts Council provides grants to professional artists – in drama, dance, visual arts, music and literary arts – for residencies of at least 5 days. Artists run hands-on workshops, typically working with 2 to 4 classes a day (and sometimes whole schools). Participating schools pay as little as $60 a day; cost can be as low as $1 per student
for 5 hours of instruction.
Ottawa International Children’s Festival (613) 241-0999
Performance: The Ottawa International Children’s Festival is a five-day festival of performing arts from Canada and around the world, which takes place each year at the end of May or beginning of June. The school group rate for each performance is $8 per student.
Dance
Ottawa School of Dance (613) 622-5566
Workshop: The DanceONTour program offers 90-minute workshops in schools at a cost of $3 per student. An optional visit to the dance studio, including a performance and workshop, costs an additional $2 per student.
Performance: DanceONTour includes the option of a 90-minute performance, in schools, by students of the Professional dance program. The performance costs $3 per student.
Drama
Centrepointe Theatre (613) 580-2424
Performance: Performance: Centrepointe Theatre offers the EduStage program, with student matinee performances at $8 - $10 per ticket, including study guides.
Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC) “Edgeucation” Program 236-5192 ext. 226, e-mail.
Performance: GCTC has a Student Matinee Program that includes a theatre show, a Fact Sheet and a post-show Talkback. Plays are geared towards students in Grades 7 & 8, high school, and post-secondary. Students pay $10 each.
La Nouvelle Scène (613) 241-2727
Performance: The four theatre companies of La Nouvelle Scène offer student matinee programs that are appropriate for Francophone or French Immersion students. Group rates are $5 to $9 per student.
Ottawa School of Speech and Drama (OSSD) (613) 567-6788
Workshop: OSSD offers numerous workshops and classes, as well as professional development opportunities for teachers. Sessions can be tailored to the school’s needs. Fees range from free to $300 for a half-day workshop.
Performance: OSSD offers performances throughout May in the Natalie Stern Studio Theatre in Westboro. Student matinees can be arranged, with group rates at $5 per student, including Q & A session. Some performances and busing are subsidized.
Salamander Theatre (613) 569-5629
Workshop: Salamander Theatre offers numerous workshops and classes. They will provide assistance to schools wishing to set up a drama production or program. Fees vary; regular half-day workshops cost $250. Funding assistance is available for schools with limited resrouces.
Performance: Salamander Theatre offers numerous performances, charging $660 for an audience of up to 300.
Literary Arts
Writers’ Union of Canada ‘Writers-in-the-Schools’ program (416) 703-8982
Workshop/Reading: The Writers’ Union, with the support of the Ontario Arts Council, provides writers’ presentations and workshops. Schools pay as little as $100 for a half-day and $150 for a full day.
League of Canadian Poets “Poets in the Schools” program (416) 504-1657
Workshop/Reading: The League of Canadian Poets, with assistance from the Ontario Arts Council, offers poets’ readings and workshops. Schools pay $100 for a half-day and $150 for a full day.
Music
‘Blues in the Schools’, Cisco Systems Bluesfest (613) 247-1188
Workshop/Performance: Cisco Systems Bluesfest sends professional musicians into Ottawa schools for 2-week residencies, presenting educational performances and conducting workshops with classes. The program takes place during the first two weeks in May. Applications are due in the preceding fall. The cost is $900 per school; in most cases, every student can participate in some capacity.
‘Music Monday’, Coalition for Music Education in Canada (416) 298-2871
Activity: Music Monday takes place across the nation in the first week of May. Schools obtain free teaching packages including musical scores (instrumental and vocal) for an original song, to be played and sung outdoors at the same time across the country.
Odyssey Showcase (613) 321-2066
Performance: Odyssey Showcase is an annual musical event that recounts the history of Canadian culture, arts and music. Performances will be held from June 10 to 18, 2009, at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Group tickets are $15 per student.
Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (613) 231-7802
Performance: With its “Symphony for Schools” program, the OSO offers Grade 5 classes a free concert, performed at Albert Street School. Priority is given to schools with few resources. Program notes are available to educators for pre-teaching, and the performances include discussions and demonstrations. The “Students at the Symphony” program distributes a number of free tickets for regular OSO concerts to Grade 7, 8 and 9 students.
Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy (613) 233-9318
Performance: Student musicians from the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy (OYOA) offer free performances in schools.
Visual Arts
Ottawa City Hall Gallery Info (613) 580-2424, ext. 28425. Tours (613) 244-4433.
Karsh-Masson Gallery, Info (613) 580-2424, ext. 14167. Tours (613) 244-4433.
Tour: The Ottawa City Hall Gallery and Karsh-Masson Gallery offer free guided tours. The City of Ottawa also programs a number of smaller gallery spaces in the west (Atrium and Centrepointe Theatre and east ends (Gloucester and Cumberland, for which tours can also be arranged.
National Gallery of Canada and Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography (CMCP) (613) 990-4888
Workshop: The National Gallery and CMCP School Programs offer guided tours with hands-on workshops for $3 per student (Discovery Visit) or $6 per student (Studio Activity). Add $2 for Grades 7-12.
Tour: The National Gallery and CMCP offer group tours for $2 per student ($4 for Grades 7-12).
The Ottawa Art Gallery (613) 233-8699
Tour: Informal guided tours of the Ottawa Art Gallery are provided free of charge.
The Ottawa School of Art (613) 241-7471
Workshop: The Ottawa School of Art offers custom-designed workshops for children of all ages in ceramics, computer graphics, photography, printmaking, papermaking and sculpture. Price for a 3-hour session vary, starting at $175 per group.
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