Celebrating Five Years of Growth at the CDCC and Looking Ahead to a Vibrant Future

The Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (CDCC), Carleton University’s arts, performance, and learning hub, celebrated its fifth academic year anniversary in spring 2024.
This beautiful downtown heritage building has become a dynamic space for university and community groups, playing a vital role in the cultural and academic life of Carleton University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the wider Ottawa Community.

In the 2023-2024 academic year alone, CDCC hosted fourteen Carleton courses and hundreds of events, including concerts, conferences, and lectures, welcoming over 65,000 guests. While the CDCC supports Carleton’s educational missions and offers a space for community and non-profit groups to host cultural and creative events, the United Church also continues its faith-based ministry work at the Centre.
Mara Brown, the Director at CDCC who has been instrumental in leading the Centre’s growth and cultivating its reputation as a vibrant community hub, explains, “We have a most unique space here at CDCC where we get to welcome people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. It is truly what makes this centre sparkle.”

This year, CDCC introduced “The Hive,” a collection of small meeting and practice rooms that can be booked online.
The centre was also honoured to be selected as the venue for The Honourable Ed Broadbent’s state funeral, where thousands from Canada and abroad came together in-person and online to remember and celebrate the life of one of Canada’s most impactful citizens.
Every day at CDCC brings new and exciting experiences, which Brown and her staff embrace as a sign of the Centre’s thriving, multifaceted, and welcoming nature.
“Our entire staff can attest that every single person that walks through these doors is bringing something special to broaden our sense of joy or to challenge our thinking,” says Brown. “It is people who are the most beautiful part of daily life at CDCC.”
“We are honoured and proud of the hundreds of events that have been hosted here, and I am thankful for the commitment of the extraordinarily talented team who help us continue to grow.”
What’s Next for CDCC:
As CDCC’s scope and capabilities continue to broaden, Brown aims to make the space even more inclusive. “It is well known that these are difficult times economically and emotionally for just about everyone. However, we are committed to maintaining hope and preserving this downtown heritage building, creating space for collective community healing as an arts, performance, and learning centre and remaining dedicated to truth and reconciliation within our historical context.”

Imminently, Brown plans to enhance accessibility with new door operators supported by the Audette Foundation, and with new directional signage. The centre also aims to increase opportunities to support user groups by helping to promote their events.

The Hive and other activities at CDCC have been made possible by the generosity of donors who believe in the power of arts and culture to strengthen our communities, and all those with similar perspectives and priorities are encouraged to help fuel the future at CDCC.
For more information about giving and future events, visit the CDCC website: CDCC Website
CDCC – Evolving for the Arts and Social Sciences Community and Beyond:
Revitalization projects in the last five years within the CDCC include:
- Special main hall sanctuary project for large group performances (stage extension, organ digitization, basic LED lighting updates).
- Revitalization projects for classrooms, a movement studio, the Jean Teron Green Room, and The Hive.
- Heritage and mechanical preservation projects.
- Community support during the global pandemic and other events.
- Over 200,000 guests to date, attending diverse, multi-generational programming.
Photos from the May 7th CDCC fifth year celebrations:
Photo Credit: John-Finnigan Lin