20 GIFTS OF GRATITUDE

SPAO will soon be celebrating our 20th anniversary year, something that would not be possible without the vision, dedication and financial support from our passionate community. SPAO is eternally grateful and we want to share the love!

As 2025 fast approaches, we are excited to launch our 20 Gifts of Gratitude Campaign – a heartfelt initiative celebrating 20 years of creativity and community at SPAO. From now until Dec 31st 2024 we are asking you to help us raise $20,000 for 20 Gifts of Gratitude, gifts that will be announced over the course of our upcoming 20th anniversary year.

Conceived as an advent calendar of sorts, SPAO’s 20 Gifts of Gratitude Campaign is designed to surprise our community with new opportunities, expand artistic resources, and amplify the achievements of photo-based artists.

THE 20 GIFTS OF GRATITUDE COUNTDOWN STARTS NOW!

All 2025 students are gifted a free SPAO T-shirt
20th Anniversary Alumni Exhibition at the OAG
Photo Ed Editorial partnership

More to be announced!

Donate

Why donate to SPAO?

SPAO is primarily self-funded through grants, partnerships, sponsorships, and individual donations like yours. These contributions support various activities such as exhibitions, events, educational programming, bursaries and more. Donations fuel our organization's growth and initiate transformative changes in people's lives. Without your support, we would be unable to continue our mission, and the impactful work we do might cease to exist.

There is a place for donors at all levels to support SPAO, and to help shape the future of photographic artists locally, nationally, and internationally.

What Makes SPAO Unique

SPAO is one of Canada’s foremost photographic arts centres. It houses the only two-year photographic arts college diploma program in Canada, a six-month international artist residency, numerous recreational classes, as well as the only independent and critical photographic art gallery in the region. In addition to nurturing contemporary approaches to photography, SPAO also maintains the most well-appointed darkrooms in Ottawa, preserving access to traditional, historic and alternative processes.

4 Pillars of Support

Donations to this pillar will support:
- Investment in contemporary technology, as well as traditional photographic processes and equipment
- Expand our library and research resources
- Enhancing and beautifying the SPAO facility

Donations to this pillar will support:
- Students and artists in financial need through bursaries
- Students and artists from racialized and underrepresented communities through bursaries
- Raising the profile of photographic artists from the region through Project X and our Apex Awards

Donations to this pillar will support:
- Operating the only independent and critical photographic art gallery in the region showcasing local, national, and international artists
- Bringing some of the most important photographic artists of our time to Ottawa
- Working with the diplomatic community to enhance Ottawa’s position within the international photographic arts sector

Donations to this pillar will support:
- Free artists talks and virtual programming
- Community projects and free events
- Free educational opportunities for youth and community groups

Other Ways to Donate

By becoming a monthly donor, you are truly making a difference. Monthly giving enables us to take planned, long-term approaches towards our mission and goals in these uncertain times through reliable and stable support.
By joining SPAO's community of monthly donors through Canada Helps, you can select an affordable automatic monthly donation (for example: a gift of $10 a month, $25/month, $60/month, etc.).
Monthly donor benefits include: pre-registration for Part-Time Classes, free submission to the APEX Exhibition, a complimentary copy of our SPAO Annual, an end-of-year tax receipt, and more!
To become a monthly donor click here.

Please don’t throw out your photography gear! Every little bit counts for us. Older equipment is invaluable for teaching and training, and can supply us with hard-to-find replacement parts.
Before donating, please contact advancement@spao.ca to ensure that we can accommodate your donation.
To donate photography gear click here.

With a donation of $1,500 or more, a brick with a name of your choosing will become a permanent fixture on SPAO’s donor legacy wall. Donor bricks will evolve to reflect accumulated contributions to SPAO overtime.
Tiered Bricks:
$1,500 - Bronze entry level brick
$5,000 - Silver
$10,000 - Gold
$25,000 - Ruby
$50,000 - Diamond
One 8" x 8" brick can hold up to two individuals’ names or one company, group or foundation name. No logos. Font size and colour (black) are standardized.
To buy a brick click here.

- By Mail: Donation cheques made out to “School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa” can be sent to our address.
- In-person: Come by the facilities and see where your support is going. Please email advancement@spao.ca to set up a meeting.