Thank you to the 1,200+ who attended Pique with open ears and hearts! It was amazing to watch so many different creative communities come together in one place to share and connect.
Read MorePhoto: Rani Jambak (courtesy of the artist)
Topique explores future-focused artist-led dialogue at Pique fall edition
On September 27, 2025 at Arts Court, Topique will bring together artists, cultural leaders, and audiences for a day of public talks, workshops, and panels designed to spark urgent conversations about the future of the arts and culture sector.
Read MorePhoto: Peter Wiercioch @pter.w
Lineup announcement: Pique fall edition brings a lineup of eclectic, inclusive multi-arts programming to Arts Court this fall
Global innovators, local creators, and underground legends converge at Pique, a building-wide party like no other
Read MorePhoto: John Finnigan-Lin
Introducing the Pique Sustainability Fund
Join us in building a more inclusive, resilient future for the arts by donating to the Pique Sustainability Fund below.
Read MorePhoto by Curtis Perry
2025 Report from the Chair: "The support we receive fuels the support we give back"
Through boundary-pushing programming, steady organizational growth, and an approach centered in care, we’ve continued to build on our foundations across 2024-25.
Read MoreRecap: Pique summer 2025, the boldest annual installment of Ottawa's most vibrant and diverse art party

Only at Pique can you experience a full spectrum of creativity—from comedy to artisan vendors, from indie bands to boundary-pushing music, from site-specific installations to immersive exhibitions—all in one place, all in one day. Thank you to the 1,400 visitors who attended Pique with open ears and hearts and to the supporters and crew who made it happen.
Read MoreDominion City Brings Back Eco-Cup Program at Pique Festival
Debaser has teamed up with Dominion City Brewing Company to strengthen sustainability efforts with the launch of a new eco-cup at Pique summer edition.
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FREE.99 is an experimental “Gay” dyad making music to reduce suffering.
Ahead of their performance at Pique on June 7, we spoke with FREE.99 members Hypha and Four about their online existence, how to disrupt the social media status quo, and the inevitable nature of death.
Read MoreBringing Light — A conversation with light artist Michaela van Beinum (MvB) by Olivia Onuk
Olivia Onuk, guest curator of Seen / Unseen multimedia exhibition at Pique summer edition, asks exhibition lighting and media designer MvB questions about her practice, how it connects to the exhibition, and what she hopes audiences will take away from the experience.
Read MorePique unveils its summer edition lineup of eclectic, inclusive multi-arts programming
A building-wide party that extends onto the street, Pique showcases groundbreaking performances and exhibitions from local and international artists.
Read MoreWelcome our new programming committee members!

Martha Adem and Nabil Bhatia join returning members Shannon Whiteduck-Odjick and Ben Compton on Debaser’s 2025 programming committee.
Read MoreRecap: Pique spring 2025, a femme-forward festival edition on International Women's Day
Wrapping up another SOLD OUT Pique full of love and gratitude for all involved! With over 1,400 people in attendance across 2 days, it's the biggest spring edition in Pique herstory.
Read More"She thinks I'm a sinner": an interview with Aylin Abbasi
“She thinks I’m a sinner” is a a multi-channel video installation based on a previous ongoing project featuring a sculptural piece "hair-bone", which is made of plaster and real hair. This collection of videos are all assembled together to form a bigger picture exploring the concepts of identity despite the constricting boundaries that can arise from one’s cultural context.
Read MoreAnnouncing Pique spring edition on March 7-8, 2025
An added day of programming and International Women’s Day focus brings even more innovative and inclusive arts programming to Ottawa’s Pique festival this spring. Pique spring edition returns this March with its second multi-day edition of the signature music and arts festival, taking over the Arts Court in downtown Ottawa. Featuring groundbreaking performances, striking art installations, and thought-provoking presentations, Pique is a convergence of creativity and innovation that welcomes international artists and communities.
Read MorePhoto by Kamara Morozuk
Call for submissions: Local Black curators/programmers
Debaser and the Ottawa Black Art Kollective (OBAK) have partnered to support a curatorial project by a local, Black arts curator/programmer. The single-day project will be presented at the summer edition (June 7, 2025) of Pique, a building-wide all-ages festival that takes place at the Arts Court complex in downtown Ottawa (Anishinaabe Algonquin territory).
Read MoreCall for programming committee members!
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.
Read More2025 Audience Poll
Announcing our 2025 Audience Poll! We want your thoughts, gut feelings, and hottest takes. Take a moment to provide feedback on the year behind us and help guide our direction for the year ahead!
Read MorePhoto: Feza Lugoma
Pique winter edition recap
The 15th edition of Pique welcomed 1,000 people to Arts Court for performances, exhibitions, installations, and an Art Market featuring nearly 50 artists and creators. What a way to cap off a beautiful year of music, art, and community.
Read More2024 in review

Thank you to everyone who made 2024 so special at Debaser <3 We’ve accomplished so much and could not have done it without our ever-growing community of artists, audience members, volunteers, and crew! Read more to see what we’ve accomplished this past year…
Read MoreLoser Lane: Experimental game design with Marie LeBlanc Flanagan

Marie LeBlanc Flanagan will be presenting two interactive “game poems” at Pique winter edition on December 14, and recently released a protest game called Loser Lane about “the terrifying reality of biking in Toronto without bike lanes.”
Grab your tickets to Pique on December 14 to explore more of Marie’s game design philosophy and experience their interactive game poems in-person.
Read More