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
View all

Our Season

  1. Presented by Festival de Otoño
    Nigamon/Tunai ONISHKA
    Nov 21 2024 Teatros del Canal (Madrid)
    Project page
  2. Presented by Public Energy Performing Arts
    Raven Mother Dancers of Damelahamid
    Nov 26 2024 Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (Peterborough)
    Project page
  3. Presented by Danceworks
    Raven Mother Dancers of Damelahamid
    Nov 29 2024 Fleck Dance Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  4. Presented by Penn Live Arts
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Dec 13 - Dec 14, 2024 Penn Ice Rink (Philadelphia)
    Project page
  5. Presented by The Apollo
    Loss Ian Kamau
    Jan 9 - Jan 11, 2025 The Apollo Stages at The Victoria (New York)
    Project page
  6. Presented by NAC Indigenous Theatre
    Qaumma Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory and Vinnie Karetak
    Jan 15 - Jan 17, 2025 Azrieli Studio, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  7. Presented by NAC English Theatre
    Salesman in China Stratford Festival
    Jan 16 - Jan 25, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  8. Presented by Les Plateaux Sauvages
    Surveillée et punie Théâtre Prospero
    Jan 16 - Jan 18, 2025 Les Plateaux Sauvages (Paris)
    Project page
  9. Presented by NAC Indigenous Theatre
    Raven Mother Dancers of Damelahamid
    Jan 20 - Nov 22, 2024 Azrieli Studio, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  10. Presented by Dance Victoria
    Raven Mother Dancers of Damelahamid
    Jan 24 2025 McPherson Playhouse (Victoria)
    Project page
  11. Presented by McCarter Theatre Centre
    Noli Timere Rebecca Lazier
    Feb 7 - Feb 8, 2025 Berlind Theatre (Princeton, NJ)
    Project page
  12. Presented by Perth Festival
    Mahabharata Why Not Theatre
    Feb 8 - Feb 16, 2025 His Majesty's Theatre (Perth, Australia)
    Project page
  13. Presented by Théâtre du Trident
    Surveillée et punie Théâtre Prospero
    Feb 13 2025 Théâtre du Trident (Québec)
    Project page
  14. Presented by University Musical Society
    asses.masses Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim
    Feb 15 - Feb 16, 2025 Stamps Auditorium, Walgreen Drama Center (Ann Arbor)
    Project page
  15. Presented by The Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Feb 21 - Feb 22, 2025 Magness Arena (Denver)
    Project page
  16. Presented by NAC Dance
    Fables Compagnie Virginie Brunelle
    Feb 26 - Feb 27, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  17. Presented by Espace GO
    Créatures L'eau du bain
    Mar 2 - Mar 22, 2025 Espace GO
    Project page
  18. Presented by Danse House with Canada Ice Dance Theatre
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Mar 20 - Mar 23, 2025 Kerrisdale Cyclone Taylor Arena (Vancouver)
    Project page
  19. Presented by NAC Dance
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Mar 27 - Mar 29, 2025 Aréna Stade-Pierre-Lafontaine (Gatineau)
    Project page
  20. Presented by Canadian Stage
    Mahabharata Why Not Theatre
    Apr 8 - Apr 20, 2025 Bluma Appel Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  21. Presented by Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Kimiko’s Pearl Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts
    Apr 9 2025 Toronto Symphony Orchestra - Roy Thomson Hall (Toronto)
    Project page
  22. Presented by Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Kimiko’s Pearl Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts
    Apr 11 2025 Toronto Symphony Orchestra - Roy Thomson Hall (Toronto)
    Project page
  23. Presented by HTP Mainstage Dance
    Scott Joplin's Treemonisha Volcano Theatre
    May 2 - May 4, 2025 Harris Theater (Chicago)
    Project page
  24. Presented by NAC English Theatre
    Mahabharata Why Not Theatre
    May 13 - May 24, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  25. 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
  26. Presented by NAC Indigenous Theatre
    Marguerite: le feu Productions Onishka
    Jun 12 - Jun 13, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
View all