Moh Faris and Family Donate $1 Million to National Arts Centre in Honour of the Late Yulanda Faris

The National Arts Centre Foundation is honoured to announce a generous gift of $1 million from Mohammed (Moh) Faris and his family in honour of the late Yulanda Faris.

Wife of Moh and mother of three daughters, Yulanda – who died at the age of 77 on April 23, 2015 – was a passionate supporter of the performing arts in her home city of Vancouver and beyond. She was Chair of the Vancouver Opera Foundation where she founded the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program with Moh, and an active member of the National Arts Centre Board of Trustees from 2013-2015.

The gift will establish the Yulanda M. Faris Fund at the National Arts Centre to support the NAC’s investment in new works. “Yulanda’s love for the performing arts is something that she shared with her family and friends throughout her lifetime,” said Mr. Faris. “By supporting the work of Canadian artists through the National Arts Centre, we are honouring Yulanda in a very meaningful way.”

Jayne Watson, CEO of the National Arts Centre Foundation added: “We are humbled that the Faris family chose to make this gift so that Yulanda’s impact on the performing arts in Canada can be felt for years to come. Thank-you so much to the Faris family”

The April 26, 2016, performance of São Paulo Companhia de Dança at the National Arts Centre will be dedicated to Mrs. Faris.

ABOUT THE NAC

The National Arts Centre collaborates with artists and arts organizations across Canada to help create a national stage for the performing arts, and acts as a catalyst for performance, creation and learning across the country. A home for Canada’s most creative artists, the NAC strives to be artistically adventurous in each of its programming streams – the NAC Orchestra, English Theatre, French Theatre and Dance, as well as the Scene festivals and NAC Presents, which showcase established and emerging Canadian artists. The organization is at the forefront of youth and educational activities, offering artist training, programs for children and youth, and resources for teachers in communities across Canada. The NAC is also a pioneer in new media, using technology to teach students and young artists around the globe, by creating top-rated podcasts, and providing a wide range of NAC Orchestra concerts on demand. The NAC is the only bilingual, multidisciplinary performing arts centre in Canada, and one of the largest in the world.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Rosemary Thompson
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
National Arts Centre
613 947-7000 x260
rthompson@nac-cna.ca

Carl Martin
Senior Advisor, Communications
National Arts Centre
613 947-7000 x560
carl.martin@nac-cna.ca

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