With support from Ottawa Tourism, Debaser is supporting the creation of two site-specific installations to be mounted at Arts Court for Pique on June 13, 2026. We are looking for innovative site-specific installations that highlight the Arts Court layered history—from courthouse to contemporary arts hub—and its connection to Ottawa’s cultural evolution. Learn more and apply by March 15!
Read More2026 Audience Poll
We want to hear from you! Our annual Audience Poll is where we invite your feedback about the year behind us, so we can better serve you in the year ahead.
Thoughts? Feelings? Opinions? Let us know for a chance to win one out of ten tickets to the next edition of Pique!
Read MoreCall for programming committee members
New year, new 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 festival, Pique.
Read More2025 Year in Review
It’s amazing how many beautiful moments one year can contain. 2025 was a hyperactive and impactful year for Debaser, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who made it possible.
Read MoreRecap: Pique winter edition wrapped
That’s a wrap Pique winter edition. What an amazing way to cap off 2025! We welcomed over 800 attendees, supported more than 20 artists, and subsidized over 280 admissions.
Read MorePhoto: Curtis Perry
Pique winter edition programming revealed
Genre-bending hip hop, ambient-glitch, playful installation, and the return of the Queertopia kiki ball all under one roof at Pique winter edition. Designed for discovery, community connection and radical self-expression, Pique brings together some of the boldest ground-breaking artists from across Canada to experiment and engage with the local artistic community.
Read MorePhoto by Maxim Paré Fortin.
Radio art, Arabic pop, modal traditions, and a Transgender icon define Debaser’s fall–winter 2025 program
Debaser is back this fall and winter with a series of captivating performances that feature radio art, Arabic and SWANA club music, modal traditions, and transcendent jazz-soul songwriting. Across these four unique events, audiences will experience the breadth of sonic experimentation and community-driven artistry.
Read MoreRecap: Pique fall edition 2025
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.
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