Photos by SPAO alumni L-R: Joyce Crago, Richard Robesco, Danni-Rae Mistaken Chief.
SPAO is one of Canada’s foremost photographic arts centres. It houses the only 2-year photographic arts college diploma program in Canada, a robust selection of recreational classes, a unique 6-month international artist residency as well as the only critical and independent gallery in the region dedicated to lens-based art.
WHO WE ARE
The SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre is an independent, charitable, not-for-profit photographic visual arts institution, housing a registered college diploma program. Our goal is to provide an intensive and collaborative learning experience and to enrich the photographic and visual arts culture of Ottawa and beyond.
WHAT WE DO
SPAO’s activities include exhibitions, community collaborations, educational opportunities, and various partnership and outreach initiatives. We aim to offer our community the knowledge, resources, and environment necessary for the advancement of photographic artistry, visual literacy, and personal vision.
PROGRAMS
OUR VISION
To be an internationally recognized photographic “school of thought”.
OUR MISSION
SPAO cultivates an inclusive community of distinct artistic vision, critical dialogue and technical expertise in the photographic arts through exhibition, partnerships and education.
In 2017 The School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa evolved and expanded into the SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre with the construction of our new facility.
SPAO's original facility at 168 Dalhousie St.
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Chapter 1: After several years of part-time instruction at a local college, instructor Michael Tardioli and a group of dedicated students pursued the idea of building an organization that would offer an alternative to traditional photographic arts education. Khalia Scott joined Tardioli as founding Co-Director of the School of Photographic Arts Ottawa (2005-2012) and 43 days after signing a lease, the team of students and instructors they had assembled designed, built and equipped an entire photography school. For 12 years, SPAO was located at 168 Dalhousie Street in the Byward Market, offering programming in our studio, darkroom and computer lab.
Chapter 2: In 2016 the newly appointed Executive Director, Jonathan Hobin, spearheaded an ambitious program expansion with the construction of a new purpose-built facility in Ottawa’s Little Italy. Construction was completed in the fall of 2018 and the SPAO Centre Gallery was established.
Chapter 3: Today SPAO is one of Canada’s foremost photographic arts centres. It houses the only 2-year photographic arts college diploma program in Canada, a robust selection of recreational classes, a unique 6-month international artist residency as well as the only critical and independent gallery in the region dedicated to lens-based art.
SPAO’s new facility at 77 Pamilla St.
The SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre is located on the traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe peoples who have lived on this territory for millennia. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land.
COLLEGE DIPLOMA PROGRAM
An extraordinary photographic arts education in two years.
part-time studies
Classes and workshops for students at every level.
ARTIST RESIDENCY
Join one of the most unique artist residencies of its kind.
GALLERY EXHIBITIONS
View the work of regional, national and international artists.
SPAO programming and operations are made possible in part by the support from the City of Ottawa.
