SPAO (School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa) created A+ in 2007 as a way to celebrate the work of its part-time students, working in the evenings and on weekends in SPAO’s studio, darkroom, and digital lab. 

With the establishment of the SPAO Centre in 2017, the School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa has been given a chance to reimagine this project. A+ is now a greater opportunity for emerging and seasoned artists to show their work in a professional and accessible gallery setting, to add to their visual arts resumés, to receive honours and awards for their work, and to be seen and considered by elevated visual arts community leaders. 

HEATHER ANDERSON

Heather Anderson is interested in art practices that engage the social, political and emotional complexities of our experiences in the world through aesthetic encounters across a range of media and approaches. She was an assistant curator, Contemporary Art at the National Gallery of Canada from 2006—2012 prior to her current position as curator at the Carleton University Art Gallery.

MIKE STEINHAUER

Mike Steinhauer has a wide range of experiences within the cultural sector including the National Gallery of Canada, the Bytown Museum and the Department of Canadian Heritage. He was recently appointed to the Manager, Exhibitions and Outreach, Art Bank, position with the Canada Council for the Arts.

DAYTANI KARUNARATNE

Dayanti Karunaratne is the Editor-in-Chief at Ottawa Magazine. Her work has appeared in the Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Magazine, The National Post, the Globe and Mail, and CBC Radio One. (photo by Jamie Kronick)

MEAGHAN HAUGHIAN

Meaghan Haughian works as a Public Art Officer with the City of Ottawa where she manages Karsh-Masson Gallery and City Hall Art Gallery. She received a BFA from Mount Allison University, NB (2004), focusing on printmaking and photography. Her work is held in private and public collections, including the Ottawa Art Gallery, City of Ottawa and National Arts Centre.