The Ottawa Art Gallery / La Galerie d'art d'Ottawa
The Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG; French: La Galerie d'art d'Ottawa) is a Canadian nonprofit organization and municipal gallery dedicated to collecting, preserving, and promoting visual arts in Ottawa, Ontario. Established in 1988, the OAG operates as a cultural hub, emphasizing regional artistic heritage while fostering national and international dialogue through exhibitions and public programs[1][2][5].

History
Founded by a grassroots collective of artists and community advocates, the OAG emerged to address the lack of a dedicated public gallery for Ottawa-based artists[1]. Initially housed at Arts Court, a historic downtown venue, the gallery expanded significantly over three decades. A major renovation completed in 2018 introduced a modern facility adjacent to the original building, designed to accommodate its growing collection and increasing community engagement[3].

Collection
The OAG houses a permanent collection of over 1,020 works, including paintings, sculptures, and graphic arts, with a focus on artists from the Ottawa-Gatineau region[2]. The gallery also stewards the Firestone Collection of Canadian Art, a City of Ottawa-owned assemblage of over 1,600 works by prominent Canadian artists, acquired through the Firestone family’s patronage[3].

Exhibitions and Programs
The gallery curates rotating exhibitions showcasing contemporary and historical works, often emphasizing underrepresented voices. Its programming includes artist talks, workshops, and educational initiatives tailored to diverse audiences. The OAG prioritizes accessibility, offering bilingual (English-French) resources and free public admission[4][5].

Governance
Governed by a board of directors and led by executive director Alexandra Badzak, the OAG operates under the charitable registration number 137078960RR0001[3]. It collaborates with local institutions, artists, and community groups to advance its mandate of fostering artistic innovation and cultural exchange[4].