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Articles by Willemijn Bunskoek
Apt613 one year later: Our wins, and how you can help us keep going
It’s been almost a year since we put out a call for community help, and thanks to all of you, a lot has changed. We wanted to give you a short update on where Apt613 stands today, what we’ve been working on, and some of our plans for the future.
OMIC and OFN seek input after Algonquin College recommends suspension of 30 programs
Last week, a recommendation was made to Algonquin College’s Board of Governors, on Feb. 23, to suspend around 30 programs at the college. “If the recommendation is approved by the Board of Governors, no new students will be admitted to these programs starting Fall 2026,” reads the update. According to the announcement, the recommendation is described as a strategic decision, due to funding shortfalls at both the federal and provincial level.
A year in one article - everything Apt613 in 2025
It’s a new calendar year, and we’re stepping into it with fresh energy. Happy New Year from all of us at Apt613! At Apt613, we had to draw clear attention to our financial situation at the end of 2025. To everyone who responded to that message positively by donating, engaging, or sharing, with friends, colleagues, and people in our scene, or letting us know how much you appreciate us: thank you. Your support truly means the world. We saw an unprecedented response from our community.
When local, independent media survives, communities thrive
This week, the University of Ottawa’s campus community radio station, CHUO, aired its final live broadcast and a vital voice in Ottawa-Gatineau’s independent media ecosystem has gone quiet. For those of us working in community-powered media, this moment brings concern for our volunteers, staff, readers, and listeners. It is a reminder of how fragile local media infrastructure can be, and of what is at stake when platforms that hold space for community voices disappear.
Apt613 partners with CIRA: get to know the ‘CIRA Canadian Shield’, a free Canadian cybersecurity tool anyone can use
If you have been reading our Weekend Roundup lately, you may have noticed a new name beside it. We recently welcomed CIRA, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, as a co-presenting partner. At first glance, it might look like an unexpected pairing: a community-powered arts and (city) culture platform teaming up with the organization that manages the entire .CA domain ecosystem. But for us, it feels like a natural fit.
Giving Tuesday: Apt613 needs your support now
Hey Ottawa, We want to share a transparent update about where we are as a community-powered media platform. We need your help. For 16 years, Apt613 has uplifted Ottawa’s arts and culture scene. Today, we need the community to help uplift us. TL;DR: Apt613 needs your support to bridge the next few months. If we’ve helped amplify your work or helped you discover something you love in Ottawa, please consider donating now so we can keep doing what we do.
Tonya Davidson’s Ottawology invites readers to look at Ottawa through the lens of sociology in an accessible way
Those who’ve met me through my work with Apt613 might already know that I have a background in urban sociology, and I’ve always enjoyed looking at cities through that lens. I remember my professors in Rotterdam telling me that once you put on your sociology glasses, you’d never be able to take them off. And I think, in part, they were right.
The Future is Now: Housing Forever Bonds campaign aims to create more affordable housing in Ottawa
Affordable housing is one of Ottawa’s most urgent challenges, and two local organizations have united their missions—taking an innovative approach to address the issue. On Sept. 17, Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC) and the Ottawa Community Land Trust (OCLT) launched the Housing Forever Bonds campaign, inviting residents, businesses, and anyone willing to invest directly in the city’s housing future.
Q&A: Mathieu Grondin on one year of being Ottawa’s Nightlife Commissioner
We’ve been hearing buzzing sounds in Ottawa’s nights — there’s movement after dark, just what we like to see! The city’s scene seems to be in an upward stream, and with our Nightlife Commissioner now a little over one year into the job, it feels like the right moment to reflect on how things are going.
Changemakers Social: Get On Boards Edition invites board-curious people to speed date non-profits and charity professionals
Volunteer Ottawa is partnering with Heartfelt IT to do something new: launching a series of , starting with the first of a series of four events on Sept. 23 at Impact Hub. You might know Volunteer Ottawa from their annual VOscars Volunteer Awards Gala. Many volunteers and non-profits participate in the event, highlighting Ottawa’s vibrant spirit by recognizing individuals, organizations, and businesses that have made a difference in the community. This year’s gala takes place on Oct. 23.
New Shared Ground event explores who will lead the transformation of Ottawa’s empty spaces
Participants of the brand new Shared Ground event walked away with a renewed excitement for the future of Ottawa’s unused spaces on June 25. The event — a new long-term initiative by Arts Ottawa in collaboration with ArtsBuild Ontario, Memetic Media, and the Ottawa Art Gallery’s ACE District Initiative — brought together artists, cultural workers, nonprofit leaders, business owners, BIAs, and place-makers. Together, they reimagined the potential of underused downtown spaces for the arts.
Canada After Dark shines light on night life
By Asher Essien & Willemijn Bunskoek On May 21–22, 2025, Canada After Dark, a two-day nightlife forum, was held as part of Ottawa’s first Capital Music Week (CxMW). Co-presented by Ottawa’s Nightlife Office and the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC), the event spotlighted Ottawa’s nightlife within both national and international contexts.
City at Night & Afterlight team aim to push Ottawa’s nightlife to the next level with new venue
A new venue is coming to 221 Rideau St. later this March, replacing the old Mavericks location. The venue, named Gridwrks, was announced last Wednesday by the team behind City at Night and Afterlight. “After we started City at Night in 2016 and renovated to launch Afterlife during the pandemic, we felt electronic music became more prominent and more popular within the city,” says Farid Dagher, one of the team members.
Apartment613 is seeking new board members
Apartment613, an incorporated not-for-profit, is seeking dedicated volunteers to join our Board of Directors and help shape our organization’s future. As part of a team of up to 11 directors, you’ll guide strategy, support operations, and ensure Apt613 thrives in 2025 and beyond. These are key positions, as the organization is currently undergoing transformational changes, and we will value your input throughout this process. Our main activity is apt613.ca, a hyper-local and award-winning blog.
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