Five years ago, in the middle of the pandemic, Pique was just an idea: a new space for underground, experimental, and multidisciplinary art in Ottawa at a moment when many of the city’s independent festivals and DIY spaces had disappeared.
Inspired in part by Debaser’s earlier pay-what-you-can series Fryquency (2013–2015) at the old Jail Hostel bar beside Arts Court, Pique was built to fill a growing gap in the region’s music and arts landscape — a place for adventurous programming that felt accessible, community-driven, and deeply collaborative.
Originally planned for 2020, the festival was postponed by the pandemic and instead launched online in June 2021. A few months later, the first hybrid edition welcomed a sold-out crowd back into Arts Court for a lineup spanning live music, drag, comedy, installations, DJ sets, and performances from artists including recent Polaris Prize winner
@backxwash (who returns for the 5th anniversary this June).
Since then, Pique has grown far beyond what we imagined: 20 editions, hundreds of artists and collaborators, international partnerships, visionary guest curators, artist residencies, site-specific interventions, legendary kiki balls, and packed rooms full of people showing up for boundary-pushing work.
On June 13, we celebrate Pique’s 5-year anniversary and 20th edition in the place that has shaped the festival since day one:
@artscourt , alongside the incredible host partners and organizations that helped bring it to life —
@saw_centre @ottawaartgallery @digitalartsresourcecentre @artengine @ottawadancedirective @ottawafringe @ottawa.animationfestival
Looking back at Pique’s first five editions and the people, performances, and moments that built this festival from the ground up.
20 editions later, Pique is still here: championing experimentation, celebrating collaboration, and creating space for Ottawa’s creative underground to thrive.
Pique #20 - 5-year anniversary 🎉
📆 June 12-13, 2026
📍
@artscourt
🎟️ link in bio to grab a ticket
Image list in comments
