Artengine is Ottawa’s home for art and technology

Good morning! 

Geoff jumping in here for today’s intro. As I write this Charlie is heading back home after a busy day of interviews and meetings, to finish up his part of the newsletter, so I thought now would be a good time for me to promote our new survey.

As some of you may have seen yesterday, we launched what really is our most important survey yet. We’re looking to understand our community more, figure out how to improve our journalism and deliver you more impactful stories.

Why do this? Because we think together we can build Ottawa’s most impactful local journalism publication. But it all starts with feedback from you.

(And apologies to anyone who received it twice, I accidently sent it out multiple times!).

Now without delay, let’s get to today’s newsletter. Today we’re featuring an arts story. We’d love to hear if you like these types of different stories.

— Geoff Sharpe

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WEATHER

Wednesday: 13 🌡️ 8 | 🌧️

Thursday: 11 🌡️ 6 | 🌧️

Friday: 11 🌡️ 7 | 🌧️

OTTAWA NUMBERS

🚘 1,300: The number of drivers charged on eastern Ontario roads for speeding during Canada Road Safety Week. [CTV]

🏖️ 4: The number of Ottawa beaches which will no longer receive daily water testing over the summer. Instead, Mooney’s Bay, Britannia, Petrie Island and Westboro beaches will have samples taken weekly. [CTV]

💰 $45 million: The cost of the recently reopened Kìwekì Point. Indigenous symbolism was incorporated throughout the development, including extensive collaboration with the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nations and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. [Ottawa Citizen]

THE LOOKOUT RECOMMENDS

A perfect lunch: Perfect means affordable and good. Luckily Jumak is one such spot. Our food editor Ralf says it’s a “bargain” in terms of cost, and is a great place to explore Korean banchan, small side dishes that make up a big part of Korean cuisine. Located at 151C Second Ave. 

One big story: Ottawa may finally be getting (legal) public drinking in parks. Following in the footsteps of cities like Vancouver and Toronto, city staff will present one of two potential plans on May 27 to the Community Services Committee, followed by a full vote at council later. If approved, you’ll be able to sip on a cold one this summer! [CBC]

What to do: The popular Great Glebe Garage Sale is this weekend. It’s a perfect opportunity to explore the area and pick up some knick-knacks, with part of the proceeds going to charity. Taking place Saturday from 8 am-2 pm. 

Where to go: Those looking to get out of Ottawa for a quick trip this summer that doesn’t involve a trip down south can now catch a non-stop Porter flight straight to Victoria, with your flight out leading at a reasonable 8:40 am. Need some restaurant recommendations? Our team in Vancouver put some together for when you visit the island. 

What to drink: Last year we put together a list of local brewers worth checking out, including some with a patio. The list included places like Braumeister, Chelsea & Co., Flora Hall and quite a few more which you can read here.

ARTS

For nearly 30 years, Artengine has been Ottawa’s home for art and technology 

By Nickie Shobeiry

At Artengine, mixing technology with art isn’t just a side-practice—it’s a tool for reimagining our very futures.

Since first launching in 1996, Artengine, located inside the Arts Court at 2 Daly Ave., has been a home for Ottawa’s experimental creatives. As a ‘futurelab’, the organization has spent almost three decades bringing together artists, designers, technologists and researchers to explore the social impact of emerging technologies. This is not your average group of artists.

Managing director Remco Volmer first moved to Canada from the Netherlands in 2000. At the time, Artengine was a small, volunteer-run organization. “The first staff wasn’t even hired until 10 years into its existence,” he says. 

In 2008, Volmer began working with the Artengine team, producing the Electric Fields festival—an event showcasing experimental audio-visual performances. In the years since, he’s seen the organization transform repeatedly. “Roughly every five years, the focus of the organization changes,” he says. “That shift is almost a necessity, because new ideas and technologies bubble up.”

This constant evolution is what keeps Artengine on the cutting edge. From its early work with computing hardware and internet-based art, to live stage performances featuring light projection and sound manipulation, and then to laser cutting and 3D printing, Artengine has always embraced new tools to expand artistic possibilities.

Today, the team is exploring immersive technologies—artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and multisensory environments—to create thought-provoking exhibits tackling topics ranging from climate change to racial justice to urban design. 

A space run by artists, for artists 

Based in the Arts Court, Artengine boasts a sprawling, open-space performance area, a meeting room with a large screen, wall-to-wall white boards and lounge area, and a fully decked arts workshop space (you can see a tour of Artengine here). 

Importantly and unlike more traditional art spaces, anyone can get involved with Artengine, the team is always open to meeting new creatives. “We’re rooted in ideas of open source and accessibility,” Volmer says. “At the core is the belief that technology is never neutral. It carries power dynamics based on who develops it, who has access, and who controls it.”

Artengine’s mission, then, is to disrupt those dynamics through art. “We want to take these technologies out of the ‘mystical realm’,” says Volmer. “We want to show people how things work, to demystify the power structures behind them.”

One example of this ethos is Artengine’s ‘pirate interruption’ of YouTube algorithms. The team scraped Canadian cultural content from YouTube and built their own searchable database with full transcripts called the ‘CanCon AV Index’, making it easier for users to find videos by theme—such as Indigenous futurism—without being subject to opaque search engines that “don’t necessarily favour certain content,” Volmer says. “We were trying to interrupt algorithmic oppression,” Volmer says.

As well as public exhibits, Artengine is a hub for artist gatherings, hosting events like GroupChat, described as a ‘book club for artwork’, bringing people together to discuss everything from extended reality experiences to indie gaming.

From Saturday June 7, during Ottawa Doors Open and Pique, Artengine will unveil ‘New Suns’: a major project rooted in speculative fiction, running for two weeks. Over the past year, the team hosted a residency for eight artists across Canada. Guided by sci-fi author and Nebula-awards finalist Suyi Davies Okungbowa, artists were encouraged to imagine humanity’s future. The residency culminates in a collaborative ‘biopunk’-inspired exhibit that unpacks the implications of biotechnology. 

Highlights of the upcoming showcase include a futuristic sculpture by Melanie Barnett, a ceramist from Medicine Hat, a meditative sound installation paired with a futuristic rocking chair by Victoria-based artist, Kemi Craig, and a bioprinter printing biological materials, created by Dr. WhiteFeather Hunter: an internationally recognized, award-winning Canadian artist and PhD researcher. 

Dr. Hunter’s bio-printer has been picked up for conferences in Slovenia and France. “That’s an amazing result from this project already,” Volmer says.

Another 30 years of Artengine

Next year is Artengine’s 30th anniversary. As the arts sector grapples with post-pandemic instability and shrinking budgets, Volmer sees this moment as a call to action rather than a retreat. “Even in uncertain or fearful times, the arts have an essential role in how we live together and how we see ourselves—individually and collectively,” he says.

Looking ahead, Artengine plans to double down on its commitment to community, accessibility, and imagining better futures. “We want to ask: how do we make a beautiful life for ourselves that isn’t extractive, but grounded in empathy, care, and respect?” Volmer asks.

For Volmer, that question is at the heart of Artengine. “Art is a system of care,” he says. “It allows us to model and build better worlds, even if temporarily. That work is more important than ever.”

Nickie Shobeiry is a freelance journalist covering arts and culture, and an award-winning filmmaker (you can find her work on CBC and Bell). Find Nickie’s website here.

Other arts performances

🎶 It’s the Capital Music Awards tomorrow, with a whole host of performances celebrating Ottawa’s music scene. Tickets start at $64.

🎥 ByTowne has a whole host of movies this week, including the Friendship which if you’ve seen any Tim Robinson sketches, has to be on your list. Also the 4k restoration of Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece Ran is showing on Saturday. 

🎷 If you have any interest in jazz music, then you’ll want to see Afro Jazz with John Dapaah Quintet at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa on Friday. Its soulful rhythms that blend African, Caribbean and jazz music

THE AGENDA

🏒 Ottawa’s PWHL women’s hockey team continues to dominate. Emily Clark scored at 2:47 of overtime on Tuesday night to lead the Ottawa Charge to a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Frost. The women’s team has a 1-0 lead in the Professional Women's Hockey League best-of-five championship series for the Walter Cup. [TSN]

📌 The City of Ottawa has hired Marcia Wallace as the new General Manager of Planning, Development and Building Services, effective June 16, 2025. She most recently served as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the Corporation of the  County of Prince Edward where she managed a diverse portfolio of 10 departments. [CBC]

👑 King Charles and Queen Camilla are coming to Ottawa next week and there are multiple locations where residents can catch a glimpse of the Royal couple. On Monday they will begin their tour at Lansdowne Park at 1:50 pm to meet with members of the public and community organizations. Then a tree planting at Rideau Hall will follow. On Tuesday the public can catch a glimpse of the King and Queen as they take a carriage down Wellington Street. Following that, they will take the short walk over to the National War Memorial to lay a wreath. [CBC]

📢 After hearing from more than 40 public delegations in support and opposed to a proposed “bubble bylaw”, councillors on the emergency preparedness and protective services committee and public works and infrastructure committee voted 14-2 in favour of proceeding with the development of a “Vulnerable Infrastructure Bylaw.” City staff will have nine months to look into such a rule, which takes into consideration distance, time periods, targeted application, and offences/penalties. [CTV]

🏒 Everyone wants to see a new Ottawa Senators arena at LeBreton Flats, but recently released documents reveal the National Capital Commission is emphasizing the need for eco-friendly transportation and carbon-neutral construction as key conditions in the deal. The NCC wants fans to arrive by light rail or active transportation such as by foot or bike. The group is also requiring the Sens to pay for a bridge connecting Preston Street to the future arena site. [CTV]

🗑️ The City of Ottawa has said it will be banning commercial, industrial and institutional waste at the Trail Waste Facility Landfill starting in July. All waste produced by these sectors are subject to the ban, according to a memo sent out on Friday. This includes all commercial vehicles, vehicles larger than a half-ton pickup truck, trailers with more than one axle, and any vehicle or trailer with dumping mechanisms and company markers. [Ottawa Citizen]

🐎 If you’re around Ottawa you might notice police on horseback. The force says it has begun training of a new mounted unit which should be in full effect by 2026. “This launch of the Unit marks an important step in enhancing public safety and operational efficiency, reflecting the Ottawa Police Service’s commitment to improving community engagement and meeting diverse policing needs across the city,” a police press release said. [Ottawa Citizen]

HOME OF THE WEEK

I wouldn’t consider this the fanciest two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit. The positives are, besides the aforementioned bedrooms and bathrooms, so that it’s right downtown, has around 900 square feet of living space and the unit itself feels larger than it is.

So why feature such a ho-hum-looking place? Because it’s one of the cheapest places in downtown Ottawa that you’re likely to find.

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Funding cuts for the Canadian Tulip Festival means doing more with less

The yearly festival will have many activities over the Victoria Day long-weekend, but is having to do more with less. Plus, the city is debating whether or not to implement a "bubble bylaw"

Read the story

MUSIC SHOW LISTINGS

Elijah Woods | Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave | May 21 | Emotive pop, blending heartfelt lyrics with polished production - a free all-ages show as part of Capital Music Week. Free Show.

August John | House of Targ, 1077 Bank St | May 22 | Alternative rock band blending hints of psychedelia, alternative, and indie. Tickets $15.

Brian An | Bar Robo, Queen St. Fare | May 22  | A powerhouse jazz trio delivers swinging standards, deep grooves, and spontaneous improvisations.  Free Show.

Double Experience | Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray St | May 23 | Rock duo merging geek culture into soaring alt-rock anthems. Tickets $24.50.

The Halluci Nation | Club SAW, 67 Nicholas St | May 24-5 | Electronic music duo blending instrumental hip hop, reggae, moombahton, and dubstep with First Nations music and values. Tickets $35.

Listings for music shows are provided by Ottawa Gigs, the best place to discover live music in Ottawa. Check out Ottawagigs.ca for full listings across the city.

GOOD NEWS

Our team stumbled upon this wonderful post on Reddit from a family that visited Ottawa this summer. We thought we’d share it with our Lookout community, just as a way to brighten up everyone’s day. 

“My family and I just got back from a long weekend trip -- our first time in Ottawa. We stayed near Parliament Hill, toured the temporary digs of the House of Commons and the Senate, and took in some great museums. Almost everyone we met was SO friendly and truly hospitable. I've never experienced that level of hospitality traveling in the U.S. Every waiter, every tour guide, every desk clerk was trained on the meaning of the word "welcome". So incredibly pleasant to deal with, literally going out of their way to show us where things were personally. So kudos to you, Ottawa! You are a beautiful city with some terrific ambassadors. Thanks for having us.” — Reddit user

PHOTO OF THE DAY

This one was pretty funny. Obviously, Ottawa has better shawarma!

OTTAWA GUESSER

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• See why this sandwich spot is our food editor’s favourite in the city.

• The new Natural History Bar has opened in the Somerset area. [Kitchissippi Times]

• Congrats to Ottawa’s own Vanessa Gilles who joins Bayern Munich starting in July! [CBC]

• The Churchill School of Rock concert is scheduled for May 22. [Kitchissippi Times]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

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