National Creation Fund

Dream. Connect. Create.

We fund risk

The National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund makes investments of up to 2 million dollars a year in the development of 9 to 11 compelling new creations in the performing arts. Fuelled entirely by donors, the Fund offers Canadian artists room to realize creative dreams.

The Fund provides the necessary time, space and resources to make inspiring and impactful work.  We invest in creation.

"... it is really helping the Ottawa-based National Arts Centre live up to that “national” in its name."  

J. Kelly Nestruck, The Globe and Mail

Projects must be led by Canadian creators
and meet the following criteria:

  • Are artistically ambitious and compelling
  • Have a strong artistic team and committed producing and presenting partners
  • Are likely to have a national or international impact
Learn about our investment process

Discover our investments

Universal Child Care Quote Unquote Collective
Qaumma Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory and Vinnie Karetak
Raven Mother Dancers of Damelahamid
The Breathing Hole / Aglu ᐊᒡᓗ NAC English Theatre and NAC Indigenous Theatre
Symphony of hearts RD Créations
Aportia Chryptych: A Black Opera for Portia White Canadian Opera Company
asses.masses Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim
Identity: A Song Cycle Against the Grain Theatre
Human Measure Cassils
Antigone Sick + Twisted Theatre, in partnership with AA Battery and The Mariachi Ghost
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Our Season

  1. Presented by Soweto Theatre
    Obeah Opera Asah Productions
    Aug 2 - Aug 11, 2024 Gibson Kente Theatre (Soweto, South Africa)
  2. Presented by Stratford Festival
    Salesman in China Stratford Festival
    Aug 3 - Oct 26, 2024 Avon Theatre, Stratford
    Project page
  3. Presented by Ottawa Chamberfest
    What Brings You In Leslie Ting
    Aug 5 2024 Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (Ottawa)
    Project page
  4. Presented by SFJAZZ
    The Storyville Mosquito Kid Koala
    Aug 8 - Aug 11, 2024 Miner Auditorium (San Francisco)
    Project page
  5. Presented by the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State
    Obeah Opera Asah Productions
    Aug 15 - Aug 17, 2024 Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (Bloemfontein, South Africa)
  6. Presented by the Edinburgh International Festival
    Nigamon/Tunai ONISHKA
    Aug 15 - Aug 18, 2024 The Studio (Edinburgh)
    Project page
  7. Presented by the Edinburgh International Festival
    Assembly Hall Kidd Pivot
    Aug 22 - Aug 24, 2024 Festival Theatre (Edinburgh)
    Project page
  8. Presented by the Vavasati Festival
    Obeah Opera Asah Productions
    Aug 23 - Aug 25, 2024 RAMA at SA State Theatre (Pretoria, South Africa)
  9. Presented by NAC French Theatre
    La traversée du siècle A collaboration with seven Montreal theatres
    Sep 7 2024 Babs Asper Theatre
    Project page
  10. Presented by Théâtre Prospero
    Surveillée et punie Théâtre Prospero
    Sep 10 - Sep 21, 2024 Théâtre Prospero (Montréal)
    Project page
  11. Presented by The Cultch
    Raven Mother Dancers of Damelahamid
    Oct 9 - Oct 12, 2024 The Historic Theatre (Vancouver)
    Project page
  12. Presented by Agora de la danse
    New Creation Out Innerspace
    Oct 23 - Oct 26, 2024 Édifice Wilder (Montréal)
    Project page
  13. Presented by Persephone Theatre
    The Invisible - Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare Catalyst Theatre
    Oct 23 - Nov 3, 2024 Remai Arts Centre (Saskatoon)
    Project page
  14. Presented by Texas Performing Arts
    The Storyville Mosquito Kid Koala
    Nov 2 2024 McCullough Theatre (Austin)
    Project page
  15. Presented by BAM's Next Wave 2024
    FRONTERA Animals of Distinction
    Nov 8 - Nov 9, 2024 Howard Gilman Opera House (New York City)
    Project page
  16. Presented by NAC French Theatre
    Surveillée et punie Théâtre Prospero
    Nov 14 - Nov 16, 2024 Azrieli Studio
    Project page
  17. Presented by NAC Indigenous Theatre
    Raven Mother Dancers of Damelahamid
    Nov 21 - Nov 22, 2024 Azrieli Studio, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  18. Presented by the Festival de Otoño
    Nigamon/Tunai ONISHKA
    Nov 21 2024 Teatros del Canal (Madrid)
    Project page
  19. Presented by NAC Indigenous Theatre
    Qaumma Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory and Vinnie Karetak
    Jan 15 - Jan 17, 2025 Azrieli Studio, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  20. Presented by NAC English Theatre
    Salesman in China Stratford Festival
    Jan 16 - Jan 25, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  21. Presented by Les Plateaux Sauvages
    Surveillée et punie Théâtre Prospero
    Jan 16 - Jan 18, 2025 Les Plateaux Sauvages (Paris)
    Project page
  22. Presented by McCarter Theatre Centre
    Noli Timere Rebecca Lazier
    Feb 7 - Feb 8, 2025 Berlind Theatre (Princeton, NJ)
    Project page
  23. Presented by Théâtre du Trident
    Surveillée et punie Théâtre Prospero
    Feb 13 2025 Théâtre du Trident (Québec)
    Project page
  24. Presented by ArtsEmerson
    Prison Dancer Citadel Theatre
    Feb 22 - Mar 16, 2025 The Cutler Majestic Theatre (Boston)
    Project page
  25. Presented by NAC Dance
    Fables Compagnie Virginie Brunelle
    Feb 26 - Feb 27, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  26. Presented by NAC Dance
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Mar 27 - Mar 29, 2025 Aréna Stade-Pierre-Lafontaine (Gatineau)
    Project page
  27. Presented by Canadian Stage
    Mahabharata Why Not Theatre
    Apr 8 - Apr 20, 2025 Bluma Appel Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  28. Presented by NAC English Theatre
    Mahabharata Why Not Theatre
    May 13 - May 24, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  29. Presented by NAC French Theatre
    The Rise of the BlingBling – Le diptyque Empire Panique
    May 31 - Jun 1, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  30. Presented by NAC Indigenous Theatre
    Marguerite: le feu Productions Onishka
    Jun 12 - Jun 13, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
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