Canada's National Arts Centre

Canada’s National Arts Centre

Performance / Creation / Learning

2011-2012 Season

Education & Training

At the National Arts Centre

Planning Your Visit

School Buses

Arriving by bus, students may be dropped off at the canal/Box Office entrance located at the rear of the NAC Building (from Elgin St. onto Lawrence Freiman St.).

  • Buses cannot park onsite at the NAC; they should proceed to the parking area located at Landsdowne Park

Public Transit

The NAC is easily accessible via Ottawa public transit, and is only a 5 to 10 minute walk from major bus interchanges including the Mackenzie King and Rideau Street stations. For more information visit the Ottawa public transit site at www.octranspo.com.

NAC Underground Parking

Arriving by car, the NAC underground parking entrances are located on Elgin (at corner of Slater) and on Albert Street. (Rates*: $3 per half hour, $16 maximum before 4 p.m., $9.25 maximum after 4 p.m.).

*Parking rates are subject to change

IMPORTANT NOTE: The NAC cannot guarantee available underground parking during matinee performances or other education events. So, please arrive early to allow yourself enough time to locate suitable parking. For a list of additional parking near the NAC, refer to Parking Info on the NAC’s website.

Lunch

Please note that the National Arts Centre is not equipped with a cafeteria nor lunchroom. However, groups are welcome to eat lunch off site at one of the following locations close by:

  • Rideau Centre – Ottawa’s major downtown shopping mall with a large food court is a short walk away (across the canal).
  • Sparks Street promenade – this pedestrian street west of the NAC stretches between Elgin and Lyon and offers a number of popular restaurants.
  • ByWard Market – a fifteen minute walk east of the NAC, this famous market area offers everything from coffee shops to restaurants for sit down dining (and a little bit of shopping too).
  • Bagged lunch – you are welcome to bring your own bagged lunches and enjoy them within designated areas of the NAC lobby area. Please speak with the NAC department Education Coordinator for further details.

Picking Up Your Tickets

If you are picking up tickets on the day of performance they will be available in the Box Office.

If you are attending a Music, Studio Theatre, or Dance performance, seating is general admission and you will not receive individual tickets; a letter of admission will be issued and you will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis at the time of the performance.

Accessibility / Special Needs

All three performance halls are wheelchair accessible and equipped with an Assistive Listening System to provide assistance to hearing-impaired students; please ensure you inform us of your requirements prior to arrival by contacting Gaston Roussy in Patron Services at 613-947-7000 ext. 212.

Know before you go...

Etiquette

We recognize that there will be a diverse range of experience amongst your students (from those attending their first live performance to those who have attended many times) and so we encourage you to review these guidelines with them to ensure a positive event for all.

Arrive Early

For Theatre and Dance performances, please arrive at least 15 minutes early. For NAC Orchestra performances please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the performance.

Be Respectful!

  • Dress code: whatever your school requires you to wear is appropriate for a performance.
  • Food or drinks are not permitted in the performance hall. # Please do not leave/return during the performance – it disrupts the performance for audience and performers and ruins the magic!
  • Please don’t talk – save your thoughts to share at intermission or after the performance.
  • Definitely no cell phones, cameras or iPods – no texting, music or recording of any kind is allowed in the performance hall.

Show Appreciation

Save your applause until the end.

  • In a Music performance, if you get confused about when a piece of music is finished, watch the performers on stage. You’ll know when the piece is over when the conductor turns and faces the audience.
  • In a Dance or Theatre performance, wait until there is a curtain or a lengthy blackout and the audience lights come back on.

Enjoy!

Performers on stage rely on the audience for the energy to perform – so have fun, enjoy the experience and where it takes you! Through the performing arts we can explore other points of view, learn new and varied things about ourselves and about others. Everyone who views a performance will experience it in a different way. It is important to respect this process of exploration in yourselves and those around you.

  • We ask that Teachers and/or supervisors remain with students at all times.
  • Please also note: Some school matinees in the Theatre will be shared with an adult audience.
  • Please be advised that some NAC presentations may deal with mature themes and/or may contain coarse language, violence, sexuality or nudity. Grade level recommendations have been made with this in mind. For information on specific show content, please contact the appropriate NAC department Education and Outreach Coordinator.