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Located in the southeast sector of Ottawa, (Ontario, Canada) Canterbury is a hub of creative activity for over 1100 students. It is a school with 55+ years tradition of excellence made up of students from our local community and students who have auditioned for the specialized Arts Canterbury program. Students in Arts Canterbury enroll in one of the following art programs: dance, drama, literary arts, music, or visual arts. There is rich diversity in the school population that is respected and encouraged. As a result, the students are motivated, creative, energetic and committed to their studies, their school, and their community. Extra-curricular clubs and athletics at Canterbury lend balance to both academics and arts. Our goals are to nurture excellence in our students by challenging them with the best of the academic, artistic, and athletic worlds, and to help students become well-rounded individuals who care about and understand our greater community.
IMPORTANT DATES and DEADLINES (Save the Dates!)
ARTS CANTERBURY OPEN HOUSE DATES: NOVEMBER 4 & NOVEMBER 6, 2025
(for students who wish to enter Fall 2026)
NOTE: Families are welcome to attend one or both Open Houses, but please be aware that students can only APPLY for ONE art program:
Dance
Drama
Literary Arts
Music - Strings
Music - Winds/Percussion/Brass
Music - Vocals
Visual Arts
IMPORTANT: The Open House is NOT a drop-in. The evenings starts at 7:00 pm in the auditorium with important general information and then attendees go to program specific information sessions. You do not want to miss any part! Try to arrive between 6:30 - 6:45 PM because there is construction in front of the school and the parking can take extra time. You may also park at Alta Vista Church across the street from Canterbury.
OPEN HOUSE No 1 for Drama, Dance and Music (Strings, Winds/Percussion/Brass, Vocals)
WHEN: November 4, 2025 7:00 - 9:00 PM (Plan to be there from the start - arrive early!)
WHERE: Canterbury High School, Auditorium
(You can visit 2 program specific information sessions during this open house. For example: Drama and Dance -or- Vocals and Drama -or- WInds/Percussion and Strings -or- Dance and Vocals)
OPEN HOUSE No 2 for Literary Arts and Visual Arts
WHEN: November 6, 2025 7:00 - 9:00 PM (Plan to be there from the start - arrive early!)
WHERE: Canterbury High School, Auditorium
(You can visit both Literary Arts and Visual Arts Information Sessions.)
* * * * *
APPLICATION/AUDITION DATES FOR 2026/2027
Step 1 - Apply
Apply between November 10 - December 1, 2025.
Go to the Apply! page for full information and links.
Step 2 - Receive Audition Confirmation Letter
After submitting the Application Form, applicants will receive an Audition Confirmation Letter via email (to primary email contact) with all the information about their audition process.
If the applicant does not receive an Audition Confirmation Letter after 10 business days, please contact arts.canterbury@ocdsb.ca.
Step 3 - Submit Two References
Give 2 teachers their reference form links by December 1st, 2025
Teachers must submit their references on your behalf no later than December 12th, 2025
Go to the Apply! page for full information and links
Step 4 - Auditions/Interviews/Workshops:
All auditions take place in January and February 2026 based on the art program (see potential dates below)
Step 5 - Results
Result letters will be emailed the first week of March 2026.
* * * * * *
AUDITION DATES FOR EACH ART PROGRAM
Your Audition Confirmation Letter will give you your exact audition date and time. However, please plan to be available for any and all of the dates indicated for your art form listed below as changes may be required due to inclement weather. (You will be notified if this occurs.) These dates can not be altered for appointments or vacations so please plan accordingly.
Dance
January 23, 26, 27, 28 or 29, 2026 Group Audition and Individual Interview (at Canterbury High School)
See the Dance Page for details and requirements
Drama
January 8 or 9, 2026: current Grade 9, 10, 11 Drama Group and Solo Audition (at the Masonic Centre near Canterbury High School)
January 13, 2026: current Grade 8 Drama Group Auditions (at Canterbury High School or Masonic Centre TBD)
January 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28 or 29, 2026: current Grade 8 Drama Solo Audition/Interviews (virtual)
See the Drama Page for details and requirements
Literary Arts
January 10, 2025 by 3:00 PM: Portfolios Due
January 23, 26, 27, 28 or 29, 2026: Literary Arts Virtual Individual Interviews (10 mins) (virtual)
See the Literary Arts Page for details and requirements
Music
January 7, 2026: Group Workshop/Audition/Information Session mandatory for all music applicants (at Canterbury High School - check in Main Lobby):
Winds/Percussion/Brass - Audition Prep Workshop/Information Session, 6:00 PM-7:00 PM
Vocals - Group Audition 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Strings - Group Workshop 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
January 23, 26, 27, 28 or 29, 2026: Vocal, Strings and Winds/Percussion/Brass Solo Auditions
Note: There is a music theory assessment after the audition for students applying for Grade 10, 11, and 12 (20 - 30 mins)
See the Music Page for details and requirements
Visual Arts
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 10:00 AM: Portfolios Due (via Google Slides)
January 15 or 16, 2026: Group Life Drawing Workshops - no preparation required /1 hour / groups of 20-25 (at Canterbury High School)
January 27 or 28 2026: Solo Interview (10-15 min) - by invitation only if more information is required (at Canterbury High School)
You will be notified by January 21st with the exact date/time if this is required.
See the Visual Arts Page for details and requirements
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