Can you imagine growing up without the arts?

For many children, it’s a privilege they simply can’t afford. Just think about the cost of art supplies, drama classes, dance classes, writing workshops, or filming equipment!

At MASC, we aim to bring arts to all children.

That’s why we do most of our work in schools, where students – regardless of economic background – can all benefit from the same arts experiences.

We reduce the barriers that prevent children and their families from accessing the tools they need to explore their own creativity.

Oftentimes the barriers aren’t just financial. Children in remote neighbourhoods can’t always get a ride to a downtown art class; their parents don’t have time to take them to a theatre production, or a music festival. 

We actively seek out funding so that our professional artists are paid fairly, and our programs are affordable for all schools.

We never ask our artists to work for free: each program has a fee attached to it, and the schools are responsible for covering costs. However, thanks to our incredible supporters and funders, MASC offers subsidies to underserved schools and communities that may not be able to afford the full fee.

MASC artists offer over 2000 workshops and 800 performances in schools and communities, to over 250,000 people per year. 

We want to continue growing so that even more children – regardless of who they are and where they come from – can see a live performance, create a mural together, make a music video, learn about hoop dancing, meet a published author, and so much more. 

This GivingTuesday, we invite you to help us open more doors to creativity and ensure that these transformative moments continue to thrive.

Together, we can make a lasting impact — one student, one class, one community at a time.Your gift brings the arts to life:

$25 inspires a student through a multi-day workshop with a professional artist.

$50 supplies an entire class with quality art supplies for a MASC workshop.

$100 gives dozens of students the joy of experiencing a live, professional performance.

Your generosity doesn’t just support a program — it transforms lives. Give today and help us inspire the next generation of creators and leaders.

Honouring Bonnie Mabee: A Legacy of Dedication and Generosity 

For 35 years, MASC has been fortunate to count on a community of volunteers whose energy, compassion, and commitment have helped the organization thrive. Among those extraordinary individuals, one shines brightly: Bonnie Mabee. 

As a teacher, Bonnie welcomed MASC artists into her classrooms and encouraged her students to participate in MASC Festivals and Programs. Upon retiring, she didn’t step away — she stepped closer. Bonnie became an integral part of the MASC family, volunteering tirelessly with MASC Young Authors and Illustrators Festival, MASC Arts Awards, and countless other initiatives. From transporting artists and assembling brochures to lending a hand wherever needed, no task was ever too large or too small for Bonnie. 

Although Bonnie is no longer able to join us as a volunteer, her spirit of generosity continues to inspire. Her husband, Dick, daughter, Jennifer and son Peter, have furthered her legacy through a significant donation to establish the Bonnie Mabee Endowment Fund. This fund will ensure that the MASC Arts Awards, a program dear to her heart, — continues in perpetuity, nurturing the creativity of young artists or generations to come. 

As we celebrate Bonnie as MASC’s most outstanding volunteer, we also celebrate the enduring impact of her kindness, passion, and belief in the transformative power of the arts. 

Your Guide to MASC’s 2025–2026 Arts Programming

Discover 170+ inspiring programs from 51 incredible artists and groups – including performances, workshops, and artistic residencies.

Perfect for students, children, and communities ready to spark creativity, celebrate culture, and make unforgettable memories.

Don’t wait – book your MASC artist today!

“You might not reach a hundred kids, but you might reach the one or two. Perhaps they want to become a movie maker or wanna do cartoons… and then use their cultural background to bring that to life.”

– Stephanie Tenasco, Algonquin artist

“ MASC is the best!
As a Drama and Dance teacher with the OCDSB, I’ve worked with MASC since the 1990s. Their artists consistently inspire students and staff alike. The workshops and performances are always impactful, professional, and leave us wanting more. Thank you for being a wonderful community partner!”

– Teacher, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)

“ What a truly special evening celebrating the arts — we were blown away! I truly loved every moment and left feeling deeply inspired! It was an honour to attend this beautiful evening of celebration!  We love our partnership with MASC. ”

– Chantale Donaghy and Kelly McCarthy, Arts Consultants, Ottawa Catholic School Board (SILVER SPONSOR)

“This festival showed me that stories can live in words and pictures—and that I can create both.”
– Grade 6 student, Gatineau

🌸 May is Asian Heritage Month! 🌸

Celebrate the incredible diversity of Asian cultures with MASC! From the graceful movements of Indian classical dance to the lively rhythms of Lebanese dabke, our talented artists offer a wide range of traditional and contemporary artistic practices. Experience the vibrant rhythm of Bollywood dance and immerse yourself in the thunderous beats of Japanese drumming.

Book a MASC artist and bring these vibrant cultural experiences to your school or community. Our programs provide a unique opportunity for participants to connect with the rich history, traditions, and contributions of Asian cultures.

Make this Asian Heritage Month unforgettable with hands-on learning, creative exploration, and cultural celebration!

St Kateri Mural’s opening with Grandmother Irene Compton (first nations Saulteaux from the Keeseekoose band in Saskatchewan) and Aurora Jade (Plains Cree from Peepeekisis First Nation)

On March 25 Grandmother Irene Compton conducted an opening ceremony for the mural on Indigenous Womanhood painted by MASC artist Aurora Jade in collaboration with 200 students from St. Matthew High School. The mural has been permanently installed at the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Elementary School.  

In Aurora’s words: “You are beautiful, you are strong, you are capable. You are not alone. I decided on those words to represent women standing together, strength, and unity. It is often you can feel alone especially as an indigenous woman“.   

Mural description as shared by Aurora: 

The image depicts mother nature, the strawberry plants and growth to honour the connection and stewardship of this land. The piece also depicts the red road. On the red road there are baby footprints that slowly turn into more mature adult moccasins with each step (these moccasins grow in size and have the corresponding beadwork and designs to represent the walk of life) .  

The woman in the middle of the red road has a small family and represents motherhood and strength, as well as the nurturing and caring nature of youth. She wears the same ribbon skirt as the woman at the end of the road because they are the same woman.  

At the end of the road, she has white hair and is being welcomed into the spirit world by the ancestors above her. I wanted the sky woman to wear a red dress to acknowledge our MMIWG and sisters in the spirit world.  

Underneath the sky woman is a sky dome design which is the spirit world above us. The night sky above includes the moon which has 13 dots inside to represent 13 moons to show our connection to grandmother moon as well as our moon time and the passing of seasons and time. The sky has a gradient of night to day, sun to moon. 

The Elder and Artist in Residency Program is an arts education program that pairs an Indigenous Elder with an Indigenous artist and offers students an in-depth and enriched artistic experience, providing an alternative lens to understand Indigenous ways of Knowing, Thinking, Feeling, and Being. The project introduces students to Indigenous culture through the arts. The Elder introduces students to Indigenous teachings through storytelling and songs, exploring concepts like land-based knowledge, the sacredness of water, holism, interrelatedness, reciprocity, Turtle Island, and the Medicine Wheel, among other teachings. Each project results in a mural installed permanently in the school.

This project was produced in partnership with the OCSB Indigenous Education team and the OCSB Arts consultants. We are grateful for the financial support of the Ottawa Community Foundation through the MASC Reconciliation Legacy Program.