Debaser is seeking new board members who share our passion for boundary-pushing creative music and art, and our commitment to fostering safer and more inclusive cultural spaces. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about music and art presentation, enthusiastic (to learn) about governance and policy, dedicated to diversity and inclusion, and interested in supporting the growth of a developing arts organization.

We invite artists and sound-makers of all kinds to join us in celebrating this international day of drone!  Deadline to apply is April 7, 2024.

In Elusive Illusion: A Study of the African Nude, Zineb Allaoui and LuCille Giwa-Amu contend with both racial and gendered values and morals placed upon them as African artists in Canada. Exhibition curator Sandra Ngenge Dusabe presents a critical essay focused on these themes and the artists’ work.

Debaser and Indigenous Curatorial Collective / Collectif de Commissaires autochtones (ICCA) have partnered to support curatorial projects by two emerging Indigenous curators. The single-day projects will be presented at the summer (June 8, 2024) and fall (September 28, 2024) editions of Pique. Curators of any artistic medium will be considered.

We are seeking feedback from COVID-conscious communities on the types of COVID-safer programming that they would like to see, and the types of safety policies that would help them feel safer at events. We invite COVID-conscious community members to fill in our survey, and artists to submit to our call!

Ahead of their debut set at Pique on March 9, digital polyglot has curated a playlist full of Black artists from varying genres that have caught their ear over the past couple of years.

Topique, a forum for idea and knowledge exchange at Pique festival, returns this spring with three days of artist talks, workshops, and more. Topique invites attendees to dig deeper into the ideas and processes behind its artists’ groundbreaking work, exploring a range of topics including digital and analogue production techniques, mindful listening, womanhood and representation, and accessible improvisation.

The Program Coordinator will assist with the development and implementation of a new mentorship and development program that guides and resources emerging event organizers through the organization of a self-directed event or program, including facilitating group learning sessions focused on knowledge sharing and skill-building, informed and guided by diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Pique is back with the spring edition opener of its 2024 season bringing groundbreaking international and Canadian artists to the Arts Court in downtown Ottawa. For the first time, Pique will present a multi-day edition of its acclaimed music and art festival series happening on March 8–10, 2024. Transforming the Arts Court into a dynamic venue-wide celebration, Pique is a seasonal showcase of underground and avant-garde performance, visual art, and more.

Want to make your dream underground arts lineup a reality? Join our programming committee!

We're looking for knowledgeable members of the Ottawa-Gatineau arts community (and beyond!) to help shape the artistic direction of upcoming Debaser events and programs, including our quarterly festival, Pique.

Ahead of their performance opening for Siaka Diabaté and Raphael Weinroth-Browne this Saturday, January 13, Mars Aspen has curated a playlist of songs that inspired them in 2023, as well as some songs that they’ve loved for a long time. “No genres specifically,” says Mars. “Just pure vibes!”

4 editions of Pique. 15 events in between. 148 artists. 7000+ attendees. 10 years of Debaser.

2023 was a massive year for us, and we feel more connected to our community than ever. Thank you to all of the artists, volunteers, partners, and team members who we worked with in 2023.

Pique winter edition was an incredibly special edition! Over 1,000 audience members came through for more than 25 performances and presentations, 40+ vendors, and only 2 power outages, all under one roof.

“Beyond Prettier Cages: Where are the Dreamers” is a new installation by Lealem Abebe, a community builder, musical mentor and performer/producer under the name 4theworld. We sat down with Lealem to discuss this installation as well as his work in the community, revealing a limited number of spoilers ahead of the must-see exhibition happening this Saturday December 9th at Pique winter edition '23!

Ahead of their debut set at Pique happening this Saturday, December 9th, DJ Kookum has curated a playlist filled with inspirations, music by Indigenous friends and some of their favorite EDM bass tracks.

Ahead of her performance curated by Kingsley Swim at Pique this Saturday, we asked Naïka Champaïgne some questions to get to know her better. An active artist and community organizer in Montreal, one half of hip hop band Strange Froots, a solo singer-songwriter, and co-founder of the Black Healing Fund and Fruition MTL, it’s a good thing Naïka is so into being on the move and doing a lot.

Ahead of their performance at Pique winter edition, we asked poolblood’s Maryam Said to curate a playlist of tunes to get audience members warmed up. Warmth they delivered on this cozy playlist of soft sweet songs perfect for a wintery night.

The Pique winter edition schedule is here! Take it in because there is a lot to experience.