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Girls+ Rock Ottawa

Using musical programming to foster empowerment, inclusivity and community - all while having fun!

Sustainable Development Goals

  • Sustainable Development Goals - 4. Quality Education
  • Sustainable Development Goals - 5. Gender Equality
  • Sustainable Development Goals - 10. Reduced Inequality

Quick facts

  • Founded: 2007

Music with a Mission

Girls+ Rock Ottawa creates the conditions for a diverse and inclusive world where girls, women, femmes, non-binary, two-spirit, and gender non-conforming folk are empowered, confident, and welcome in music environments, and dreams of a music community and industry in which they are proportionately represented, compensated, and recognized for their contributions both on and off stage.

Launched in 2007, Girls+ Rock Ottawa’s flagship program is an annual three-day rock camp for girls, during which participants learn an instrument, join a band, and showcase their achievements at a live performance – currently held at the National Arts Centre.

 

Friends & Key Partners

  • National Arts Centre (NAC)
  • City of Ottawa – Community Arts and Social Engagement
  • Music festivals and promoters such as MEGAPHONO, Debaser
  • Public and charitable organizations: Ottawa Public Library, Kind Space, Youth Ottawa, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization – Youth Branch (YOCISO), TD Musicounts
  • Local businesses such as Spaceman Music, Dave’s Drums, Nando’s, Little Jo Berry’s,  Buchipop, Happy Goat Coffee, Hunter’s Gastropub, Pressed, Victoire, Record Centre, Mediastyle, McMillan, Panago Pizza, Metro Music
  • Community radio and media such as CKCU, CHUO, ELMT FM, Apt613
13

Number of rock camps held in Ottawa since 2007

200

Number of campers since 2007

3

Number of new programs added since 2017 (monthly Jam Sessions, Rock Camp for women, and workshops) - with more to on the way!

    Timeline

  • 2007

    Girls+ Rock formed

  • 2016

    Began offering monthly jam sessions on a sliding scale, pay-what-you-can (PWYC) basis where participants can access studio space and instruments to practice with a band or jam with new friends.

  • 2016

    Awarded a $25,000 grant from the TD Musicounts Community Music Program to purchase instruments, making music more accessible.

  • 2017

    Girls+ Rock began partnering with the National Arts Centre to host the final showcase at the NAC Fourth Stage.

  • 2017

    Awarded a $1,000 JustChange micro-grant as well as a $1,000 Ottawa Music Micro-Grant as part of the 2017 Junos to host a music event.

  • 2018

    Partnered with organizations such as the Ottawa Public Library and Kind Space to implement workshops throughout Ottawa.

  • 2018

    Named the United Way Ottawa’s GenNext Community Builder of the Year, and honorable mentions of the Impact Hub Social Impact Award.

  • 2019

    Announced partnership with Youth Ottawa to host the jam sessions on a monthly basis at their Youth Engagement Studio. To date, they have hosted 36 jam sessions.

The Ecosystem

Girls+ Rock Ottawa is an active participant in our business ecosystem. Here are a few of the services they’ve used:

Impact Hub Ottawa

United Way Ottawa

Get in touch

Get Social

Rock Camp for Girls+ 2018

Girls+ Rock Ottawa Year in Review

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