Image detail by SPAO alum Allison Morris

November 24th, 2023 5:00pm - 9:00pm | SPAO Centre 77 Pamilla St.

**THE SPAO ANNUAL** 2022/2023

SPAO is proud to launch *PARADISE*, the latest edition of the SPAO Annual publication. Purchase a copy at this year’s Open House, or **order online** before December 31st to receive your copy at a significantly discounted rate.

**PRINT SALE** PREVIEW

Preview our holiday print sale! These art prints are made by our college diploma students and are perfect gifts for the holiday season. Prints are only available for purchase at Open House, and will *not* be available for advance online purchase.

**BENT** EXHIBITION RECEPTION

SPAO is pleased to present ‘**Bent**,’ an exhibition featuring the photo-based work of **Naomi Kronen**, **Ann Piché**, **S. Maria Brandt**, and **Allison Morris**.

**SPAO PHOTO WALK** KICKOFF

The **SPAO PHOTO WALK** is an ongoing and evolving outdoor installation featuring large-scale photographic artworks designed to enhance Ottawa’s Little Italy.

Rebecca Noelle joins Open House for a must-see performance.

SPAO is excited to announce that internationally renowned Canadian vocalist Rebecca Noelle will provide a live musical performance at 7:00 pm. With a career spanning 20 years, Rebecca has shared bills with artists such as B.B. King, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, Norah Jones, Bonnie Raitt and even P!NK. Check out Rebecca Noelle’s final performance on La Voix here.

Learn more about the SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre’s facility by navigating through our 3D walkthrough tour.

Can’t make it to our Open House? Don’t worry! We also provide year-round tours for prospective students, high schools, and anyone interested in learning more about our facility.

Our studio is equipped with industry standard lighting, camera and support equipment for shooting in a large studio and a selection of 35mm, medium and large format cameras available to full-time students.
The SPAO Centre is also home to the Ottawa region's only independent and critical gallery space dedicated to photographic and video art, free for the public and wheelchair accessible.
SPAO’s multi-station, multi-format darkroom for both silver gelatin and alternative printmaking, allows for comprehensive study and technical instruction in historic and alternative photographic processes.
On the second floor our media lab is equipped with inkjet printmaking capabilities including large format printers, a drum scanner and flatbed scanners.
SPAO prides itself on one of the largest photobook collections in the Ottawa region, thanks in a large part to the generosity and commitment of its community.
Accompanying the indoor gallery space is the Photo-Synthesis Garden, a unique outdoor exhibition space juxtaposing photographic arts with the natural world.

Book an in-person tour

COLLEGE DIPLOMA

See the work by our current diploma students and more.

PART-TIME STUDIES

ARTIST RESIDENCY

Join our six-month international artist residency.

Gallery Exhibitions

View our latest exhibition in the SPAO Centre Gallery online.

Where vision and skill come into focus.

SPAO houses the only two-year photographic arts college in Canada.

The Photographic Arts and Production Diploma is an intensive, hands-on, community-oriented and collaborative learning experience. We pride ourselves on offering students a one-of-a-kind college diploma program and an unparalleled opportunity to launch a career in the photographic arts. Our students’ talent and vision are cultivated through small classes, individualized hands-on learning, and access to rare photographic techniques and renowned experts.

LEARN MORE

A different kind of school – for a different kind of artist.

About **SPAO**

SPAO is one of Canada’s foremost photographic arts centre housing the only two-year photographic arts college in Canada, numerous evening and weekend part-time classes, a unique 6-month artist residency and the only critical and independent gallery in the region dedicated to lens-based art.

The **SPAO** Centre

Designed by Ottawa’s premier architecture firm, Hobin Architecture, the new SPAO Centre building officially opened its doors to the public in fall 2017. The nondescript warehouse at 77 Pamilla St underwent a purpose-built renovation, converting it into a unique cultural amenity for the National Capital Region.

**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.

Photo detail by SPAO alum Linh VH Nguyen⁠

Artistic Pathways Fund

If you are considering making a charitable donation this Giving Tuesday, please consider donating to SPAO’s Artistic Pathways Fund.

Some of this generation’s most promising artistic voices will never be able to pursue their calling unless we come together to help.

We are asking our community to raise $15,000 for the Artistic Pathways Fund, half of the amount required to maintain targeted financial programs and bursaries for a three-year period. SPAO is willing to do whatever we can to guarantee these vital programs, including asking our community for support.

There are numerous ways to give your support, here are the three main ways to make an impact:

Become a monthly donor: Even a small monthly amount makes a significant difference
Buy a brick: Proudly immortalize your name or the name of someone you love on the SPAO Donor Legacy Wall.
Make a targeted donation to the program of your choice

DONATE NOW

SPAO is primarily self-funded.

All bursaries, exhibitions, events and special programming are accomplished through grants, partnerships, sponsorships and individual donations like yours. These include critical exhibitions featuring regional, national and international artists as well as panel discussions, portfolio reviews and artist bursaries. SPAO donations have not only enabled us to outfit our new facility with much-needed equipment but also make a number of free public and youth programming opportunities possible.

Donate to SPAO