If you’ve ever asked yourself, “where can I find out what’s going on in the nation’s capital?”— then you’re the very reason apt613.ca was created.
For more than 16 years, this community-driven media platform has been a central hub for people wanting to experience all that Ottawa’s vibrant arts and culture scene has to offer.
Visitors can browse everything from Q&As with local authors and concert recaps, to writeups on neighbourhood events. And if you’re ever stuck for weekend plans, you can find regular “Quoi Faire” roundups of recommended activities co-presented through an exciting new partnership with CIRA.
For the community, by the community
Apt613 operates as a not-for-profit organization with a small core team and a large volunteer base. Today, about five part-time staff work alongside roughly 50 regular volunteers, and a database of over 200 volunteers who write, photograph and cover events and happenings across the city.
“Our volunteers are really the backbone of this organization, without them we wouldn’t exist,” says Apt613 executive director Willemijn Bunskoek. “Some of our volunteers have been with us, contributing since the start, because they care about getting local stories out there, having a consistent platform for their writing, or want to connect audiences to what’s going on in our city.”
What sets Apt613 apart is its grassroots, bottom-up approach to storytelling. Instead of dictating a particular narrative, the platform invites contributors to help shape the story how they see fit.
“Part of our mandate is to make sure stories that are under-represented on other platforms do find a place with us,” says Willemijn.
This allows Apt613 to go well beyond event listings or reviews. Rather, it’s a living archive of Ottawa’s creative life, documenting festivals, exhibitions, performances and the evolution of neighbourhood culture year after year.
Creating a consistent web presence
Straight out of the gate, Apt613’s founders chose to create a standalone website, apt613.ca, rather than relying solely on emerging social media platforms. A decision that’s proven vital to its success and longevity, says Willemijn.
In a fast-moving digital landscape dominated by algorithms and fleeting content, Apt613’s website offers something totally different—a sense of stability.
“Strong growth depends on showing up consistently and building relationships,” she says. “We’ve created a reliable online space where stories can be shared, and we’ve maintained that consistency for 16 years.” That permanence benefits readers, contributors, and the local arts and culture sector alike.
For Ottawa’s up-and-coming writers, seeing their byline on an established website is a meaningful milestone.
“To be published is a huge thing,” notes Willemijn. “It’s really cool to see your name above an article on a real platform.”
Apartment613 – powered by .CA
Apt613’s identity is inseparable from Ottawa. Even its name is a direct reference to the city’s 613 area code. So, choosing a .CA domain was essential to reinforcing Apt613’s pride and commitment to all things local.
“Apt613 has to be rooted in where we are, in our presence, in the place where we live, in the place we call home,” says Willemijn. “It just makes sense.”
Having a .CA domain signals belonging, telling readers, contributors and community partners that Apt613 is producing content by and for Canadians.
The future: stability and growth
Currently, Apt613 is focused on clarifying its mandate, deepening partnerships with local organizations and continuing to serve as a connector across Ottawa’s creative space and audiences.
“Every ingredient that you need to tell our city’s story is already here,” says Willemijn. “You just have to go out and look for it, because you will be surprised, amazed and inspired by what’s already happening right around us.”
Head to the apt613.ca website for more information and articles or follow Apt613 on Instagram for all the latest updates and news of Ottawa’s arts and culture hub!
