Announcing Nicol Vassena as Program Curator for CTA Ottawa-Gatineau 2026: “Building Trust, Bridging Worlds”
We are thrilled to announce that Nicol Vassena has joined the Communicating the Arts (CTA) team as our Program Curator for the 2026 conference in Ottawa-Gatineau. As we prepare to bring together the world’s leading cultural professionals, Nicol’s appointment marks a significant step in ensuring CTA commitment to engage promising young professionals not only as speakers but also as curators.
A Global Perspective on Cultural Strategy
Nicol is a bright, young professional who brings a wealth of international expertise to the role. Her academic journey has been dedicated to analyzing the complex communication strategies within the museum sectors of the UK, USA, and France.
She holds a Master’s degree in Brand Strategy from CELSA - Sorbonne University, where her final dissertation explored how museums construct brand identity and navigate public controversies through curatorial decisions. This background—combined with her experience at the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris and Spintank—makes her the "perfect profile" to lead our 2026 programming.
Looking Ahead: Ottawa-Gatineau 2026
From October 13–16, 2026, our community will gather in Ottawa-Gatineau to explore how the arts can rebuild trust and strengthen community connections under the theme:
“Building Trust, Bridging Worlds” > (Construire la Confiance, Rouvrir le Dialogue)
Nicol will be curating a program designed to dive deep into four key pillars that are reshaping our industry:
Values & Mission: Refining the "why" behind our cultural institutions.
Measuring Impact: Moving beyond numbers to understand our true social value.
Digital Transformation: Navigating the tools that connect us in a digital-first world.
Crisis Management: Learning how to lead with transparency during times of change.
Call for Speakers: Share Your Story
We are now officially opening our Call for Speakers! We are looking for case study presentations that share innovative projects, bold ideas, and honest lessons learned from across the visual and performing arts sectors.
If you have led a project that embodies the theme “Building Trust, Bridging Worlds,” Nicol and the CTA team want to hear from you. We are looking for stories that cover the successes, the challenges, and the "what we’d do differently" moments.
Key Information:
Deadline for Proposals: 31 December 2025
Format: Selected speakers will present live in Ottawa–Gatineau (in French or English)
Who should apply: Leaders in data analysis, digital innovation, crisis management, and mission-driven cultural work.
Do you have a story to tell, or know someone whose work deserves the spotlight? Help us shape the dialogue for 2026.