June’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to the Young Arts Leaders Collective, to support the inclusion of free art with take-out orders from local restaurants and businesses.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world in many ways, for local businesses and artists alike,” says Young Arts Leaders Collective member Lenore Gale. “As we navigate this strange new reality, the world continues to connect through the arts. Everything from concerts and books, to gallery and museum exhibits, are being made available for online audiences.”

“The Young Arts Leaders Collective will produce small-batch prints featuring Ottawa artists,” she continues, “which will be included in take-out orders from local restaurants. We are working to ensure that artists receive some compensation for participating.”

“This will be an opportunity for artists to share artwork that can be reproduced on physical print materials,” explains Lenore, “as well as for performing artists to showcase links to a past performance or upcoming live stream.”

Participating restaurants and businesses will include North & Navy, Town, Moo Shu Ice Cream, Little Jo Berry's, and Pure Kitchen.

The Young Arts Leaders Collective, an initiative of Arts Network Ottawa, supports the professional development of young, emerging artists and arts administrators in Ottawa.