by Brodie Conley, Chair of Debaser Board of Directors
Another year down, and Debaser continues to show why it’s one of the most exciting, forward-thinking, and community-centered arts organizations around. Through boundary-pushing programming, steady organizational growth, and an approach centered in care, we’ve continued to build on our foundations across 2024-25. Importantly, we’ve also deepened our connections with our community, where the support we receive fuels the support we’re able to give back.
Photo by John Finnigan-Lin
PIQUE
The past year saw Debaser's flagship event, Pique, reach new heights. The quarterly festival consistently delivered eclectic and engaging experiences. For me, the success of Pique is best exemplified by its diversity across all aspects of what it does, from the composition of its audience—spanning generations, cultures, languages, abilities, gender identities, and lived experiences—to the eclecticism of its programming, which covers a huge range of both artforms and genres.
Pique has firmly established itself as an essential space for community building and gathering, that is grounded in care and intention. This is reflected not only in its consistent sellout crowds, but also in the overwhelmingly positive feedback we receive from both artists and audiences. While we’re always striving to improve and actively welcoming feedback to help us do so, the AGM is also a moment to celebrate the ways in which Debaser’s programming is genuinely embraced by its community. I wanted to quickly read some of the feedback we received from artists and audience members over the last year.
Photo by Ming Wu
“Everything was great from the very beginning. I felt taken care of as an artist.”
“...this was our first time displaying work outside of the academic sphere. To be met with so much compassion, to be treated like peers and colleagues, I am truly lost for words. Pique brings the community together in a way that needs to be studied and I still can’t believe we got to be a part of it. … I hope I get the opportunity in the future to do for young artists what you have all done for us.”
Photo by Ming Wu
“Thank you for creating such a beautiful artistic event with a wonderful creative community and atmosphere to attend. I look forward to Pique every season, stunning work.”
“PWYC has changed my life. Despite financial insecurity, I’m able to participate in the Ottawa art scene and build community with other Black queer folks.”
Photo by John Finnigan-Lin
TOPIQUE
Beyond the incredible music and arts programming, which ranged from the hyperpop of Alice Longyu Gao to the experimental audio-shredding of Evicshen, the Afro-electro sonics of GLOWZI, and more, Pique also advanced its educational mission through the Topique series, offering a range of workshops and talks that created space for learning, dialogue, and critical exchange. Once again, the diversity of Debaser programming shines through with Topique, which in 2024-25 featured sessions that ranged from skill-building, like Sarah Feldman’s “Pop Music” workshop, to community building, knowledge sharing, and activism. Debaser should be especially proud of its Creative Resistances: Practicing Solidarity in the Arts panel series, which has, to date, featured two powerful discussions bringing together essential community voices to explore Indigenous solidarities, as well as internationalist solidarities vis a vis the ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
Photo by Ming Wu
OFF-PIQUE PROGRAMMING
It would be easy to talk about how amazing Pique is for hours, but it’s also important to highlight the huge impact and value produced by Debaser’s ongoing off-Pique programming. In Spring 2025 alone, we’ve presented everything from free jazz to party-ready bangers, experimental percussion, artist talks, and more, including our Drone Day: Sound Bath, an immersive event held at the Champagne bath public pool, that invited audiences to experience experimental sound in a unique and meditative setting.
Debaser also continued to strengthen its partnership with Laylit over the past year, presenting an ongoing series of consistently sold-out events that bring together the community and showcase the incredible musical diversity, depth, and richness of the Arab and Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) regions.
The consistently strong attendance at these off-Pique events speaks to the trust our community has in Debaser’s curatorial vision, and how eager Ottawa audiences are to be challenged, surprised, and exposed to new artistic experiences.
Photo by Emilie Azevedo
WARP
One of the most important ways Debaser continues to invest in the future of the music and arts ecosystem is through its support for WARP, a groundbreaking program that fosters critical capacity building, mentorship, and the formation and expansion of vital community networks. By centering emerging and underrepresented voices and offering hands-on workshops in project development, WARP helps emerging artists and arts workers gain the skills, confidence, and connections they need to thrive. The impact of this work is profound, and we’re deeply grateful for the leadership and dedication of WARP staff Kingsley Swim and Maeve Tavakoli, whose vision and commitment have been instrumental in making the program such a success.
Photo by Tanitoluwa Olorunyomi
PARTNERSHIPS
Debaser’s success is fundamentally rooted in partnership. Our work is not done in isolation, but through deep, reciprocal collaboration with a wide network of artists, organizations, and community builders who help bring our vision to life. Programs like WARP exemplify this spirit. Developed in partnership with Produced by Youth, The Framework, DARC, MAG, and SAW, WARP is a testament to what becomes possible when organizations come together around shared values. While I can’t name every Debaser partner here, I want to give special thanks to a few of the many partners and supporters who have amplified Debaser’s work and impact this year including: Kilam Media, SAW, Carleton University Art Gallery, the Artengine, the Indigenous Curatorial Collective, Ottawa Black Artist Kollective, Bourses Tontine, and out-of-town partners at the Music Gallery, Suoni per il Popolo, Art in the Margins, Venus Fest, Women from Space fest, and so many others. Each of these collaborations strengthens our ability to support artists and audiences, and makes Debaser’s work more vibrant, connected, and meaningful.
Photos by Felicity Hauwert
TEAM
Debaser’s success is, of course, driven by its incredible team, as well as its dedicated community of volunteers.
First, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Sandra Ngenge Dusabe, who concluded her time with Debaser this year after more than three years with us. Sandra’s dedication and care were instrumental in shaping Debaser into the organization it is today. We’re grateful for all that she brought to Debaser and wish her the very best in what comes next.
At the same time, I want to recognize the ongoing work and incredible contributions of our current staff: Rachel Weldon, our Executive Director and Debaser’s founder, and Katie Manners, our Programming Manager. Rachel’s vision, commitment, and leadership continue to be the backbone of the organization. She brings not only deep care for the community, but also sharp strategic thinking that keeps Debaser thriving. Katie, in turn, has brought remarkable energy, care and creativity to her role, curating standout programming, thoughtfully attending to artist needs, and helping expand Debaser’s reach and resonance.
On the governance and programming fronts, we said a warm thank you and farewell to board member Megan Aubin, and are now officially welcoming Guillaume Decouflet to the board. Guillaume has already made impactful contributions as an external member of the business development committee, and we’re very happy to have him join the board as a full member.
We also expanded our Programming Committee this year, welcoming Martha Adem and Nabil Bhatia, who join returning members Shannon Whiteduck-Odjick and Ben Compton, in supporting Debaser’s visionary curation.
Photo by Feza Lugoma
ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH
This year marked a period of meaningful organizational growth for Debaser, as we continued to strengthen our internal structures to better support our team, our sustainability, and our mandate and vision. We made important strides toward more sustainable employment, including the introduction of benefits packages for full-time staff and continued emphasis on worker-centric policies.
We also launched a new Business Development Committee, formed in response to increasing cultural funding austerity. This committee has been instrumental in exploring new partnerships and deepening our understanding of the impact of our pay-what-you-can ticketing model, which is a reflection of our core values of financial accessibility, self-determination, and collective solidarity.
On the policy side, Debaser made significant progress, passing new partnership and conflict of interest policies, with more policies in development, positioning us as a leader in nonprofit arts governance and best practices. Meanwhile, our HR Committee reviewed and updated internal employee policies to improve clarity and communication among staff.
Photo by Ming Wu
SOCIAL LEADERSHIP
Finally, I wanted to also note that Debaser has taken an active and principled stance in support of Palestinian liberation—work that is both urgent and essential as the Canadian government continues to maintain its complicity in Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians. Over the past year, Debaser has publicly demonstrated solidarity with Palestine through multiple actions: signing on to the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), endorsing the Arms Embargo Now campaign, and supporting grassroots initiatives like the Vote Palestine pledge and the No Pride in Genocide: Queer and Trans Solidarity event here in Ottawa. Debaser has also played a key role in organizing community mobilizations and creating space for collective resistance. It has, for example, hosted Ottawa Artists & Cultural Workers for a Free Palestine coalition events, including a sign-making event ahead of April’s National March for Palestine. This is a critical extension of our values-driven mandate and vision, and we are proud to stand in solidarity with Palestinians in their struggle for justice and freedom.
Photo by John Finnigan-Lin
LOOKING FORWARD
As we look ahead to the coming year, the energy and momentum behind Debaser continue to build. With an incredibly dedicated and talented team driving the work forward, there's every reason to feel excited about what’s next. Debaser’s impact is the result of a broad and committed community, and I want to extend deep thanks to our staff, board, committee members, volunteers, collaborators, and all those who show up, contribute, and believe in what we’re doing. You make Debaser what it is.