About ODAC

The Orillia and District Arts Council (ODAC) is a non-profit organization based in Orillia, Ontario. It is committed to enhancing and promoting the visual, literary and performing arts. One of its primary successes was the creation of a downtown storefront office, "Spotlight...on arts and festivals" at 23 Peter Street South. The Spotlight office provides many supports to its members including clerical services, archival storage, meeting space, and a promotional venue for member events and artistic display. It also serves as an easily accessible point of contact for the local and visiting public seeking arts related information, tickets and merchandise.

ODAC was formed in 1999 by a group of committed individuals with the support of start-up funds from the City of Orillia. It has hosted several public forum on topics such as Board governance and funding opportunities and has regularly produced an art-events calendar to highlight its members' activities.

In partnership with the Mariposa Folk Foundation successful funding applications to HRDC and the Trillium Foundation have afforded ODAC the ability to staff and maintain its Spotlight Office. Since its opening in 2003 Spotlight has provided organizational support to a growing number of groups and events including the Mariposa Folk Festival, the annual Blues and Jazz Festivals, Orillia Winter Carnival, the Canada Day Committee, Mariposa Arts Theatre, Jubilee Chorale and many other groups whose activities are hosted on this website.

ODAC strives to support local visual artists by hosting a monthly rotation of work by members of the Orillia Fine Arts Association and individual featured artists.

ODAC is governed by a Board of elected individuals representing various facets of the arts and festival community and other individuals committed to the success of arts and culture in the community.