Inspiring Creativity and Confidence
At the Ottawa Catholic School Board, the arts were a vibrant part of student life. Through visual arts, music, dance, and drama, students learned to think critically, communicate effectively, and collaborate creatively. Arts education fostered confidence, resilience, and cultural awareness, helping students grow into thoughtful, well-rounded individuals.
Fostering Critical Thinking and Innovation
The arts encouraged students to explore ideas deeply and express themselves with creativity and purpose. Whether through visual art, drama, dance, or music, students learned to analyze, interpret, and reflect on their own work and the work of others. This process nurtured innovation and critical thinking.
A powerful example of this creativity was the creation of Standing Knocking at Your Door, the Board’s first digital spiritual theme song. Co-written and produced by students, staff, and community members, the song embodied the OCSB’s three-year spiritual theme, Open Doors, Build Bridges, Nourish New Beginnings, and was first performed chorally at Christian Community Day.
The Joy and Confidence of Creative Expression
Participation in the arts gave students the joy of creation and the confidence that came from sharing their work. Each performance, exhibit, or final project represented perseverance, growth, and achievement.
Students such as Anika Bhatnagar, now a professional dancer with the Alberta Ballet, illustrated how early experiences in the arts could open doors to extraordinary opportunities. Her journey showed how creativity could spark lifelong passion and purpose.
Collaboration and Community Through the Arts
The arts created connections across grades, schools, and communities. Collaborative projects between elementary and secondary students fostered mentorship and shared creativity. Group performances, visual arts collaborations, and community-based initiatives encouraged teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
Teachers guided students to think critically about their work, reflect on feedback, and refine their ideas, mirroring the collaborative and iterative processes found in professional creative industries. These experiences helped students develop real-world skills that extended far beyond the classroom.
The Arts in Real-World Applications
Arts education connected directly to real-world experiences. Students exhibited their work in community art shows, performed at local events, and partnered with Indigenous and cultural organizations. Through these opportunities, they gained practical experience while developing adaptability, innovation, and empathy — qualities valuable in any career path.
Cultural Awareness and Global Connections
At the OCSB, the arts helped students explore and appreciate diverse cultures and artistic traditions. By studying and creating works inspired by cultures around the world, students developed global awareness and cultural respect.
Partnerships with Indigenous artists and communities allowed students to learn about traditional art forms and the stories behind them, fostering reconciliation and understanding. Collaborations with French as a Second Language programs further broadened students’ perspectives, showing how creativity transcended boundaries and languages.
Integrating Technology in the Arts
As technology evolved, so did artistic expression. OCSB students used digital tools such as graphic design software, music production apps, and video editing platforms to bring their creative visions to life. These tools made art more accessible and prepared students for careers where creativity and technology intersected.
Celebrating the Arts Across the OCSB
Throughout the year, the OCSB celebrated how the arts inspired creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and cultural connection. The arts were not only about performance or technique; they were about exploration, expression, and community.
At their heart, the arts opened doors to new possibilities, new ways of thinking, and new connections to the world around us.
The video “Celebrating the Arts at the OCSB” received the Coup de Cœur Award at the 2025 BRAVO Awards, presented by the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education (CACE).