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
Symphonie de cœurs 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 the Citadel Theatre
    Prison Dancer Citadel Theatre
    May 11 - May 28, 2023 Shoctor Theatre (Edmonton)
    Project page
  2. Presented by Carrefour International de théâtre (Quebec)
    Jusqu’à ce qu’on meure Transthéâtre
    May 25 - May 28, 2023 Théâtre Le Diamant
    Project page
  3. Presented by Canadian Stage
    Kelly v. Kelly The Musical Stage Company
    May 26 - Jun 18, 2023 Berkeley Street Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  4. Presented by Dance Base Yokohama
    Revisor Kidd Pivot
    May 27 - May 28, 2023 Kanagawa Kenmin Hall (Yokohama, Japan)
  5. Presented by Festival TransAmériques
    In My Body Crazy Smooth
    Jun 2 - Jun 4, 2023 Monument-National (Montreal)
    Project page
  6. Presented by Festival TransAmériques
    White Out / La chambre des enfants L’eau du bain
    Jun 2 - Jun 4, 2023 Théâtre Rouge du conservatoire (Montreal)
    Project page
  7. Presented by Festival TransAmériques
    Qaumma Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory and Vinnie Karetak
    Jun 3 - Jun 6, 2023 Studio Hydro-Quebec, Monument-National (Montreal)
    Project page
  8. Rhapsodie Sylvain Émard Danse
    Jun 4 2023 Circuit-Est centre chorégraphique
    Project page
  9. Presented by Luminato and TO Live
    Scott Joplin's Treemonisha Volcano Theatre
    Jun 6 - Jun 17, 2023 Bluma Appel Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  10. Presented by FOLDA
    asses.masses Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim
    Jun 8 2023 The Isabel - Studio Theatre (Kingston)
    Project page
  11. Presented by Stages Festival
    asses.masses Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim
    Jun 9 2023 Eastern Front Theatre (Halifax)
    Project page
  12. Presented by Carrefour international de théâtre
    In My Body Crazy Smooth
    Jun 9 - Jun 10, 2023 Théâtre Le Diamant (Québec)
    Project page
  13. Presented by Luminato
    Loss Ian Kamau
    Jun 14 - Jun 18, 2023 Harbourfront Centre Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  14. Presented by the Avignon Festival
    Marguerite: le feu Productions Onishka
    Jul 7 - Jul 11, 2023 Théâtre Benoît-XII (Avignon)
    Project page
  15. Presented by DanceHouse with Indian Summer Festival & SFU Woodward's Cultural Programs
    Svāhā! Nova Dance
    Jul 14 - Jul 15, 2023 Vancouver Playhouse
    Project page
  16. Presented by the Barbican
    Mahabharata Why Not Theatre
    Oct 1 - Oct 7, 2023 The Barbican Theatre (London)
    Project page
  17. Presented by MIFO
    In My Body Crazy Smooth
    Oct 23 2023 Shenkman Arts Centre
    Project page
  18. Presented by le Théâtre du Nouveau Monde
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Nov 14 - Dec 13, 2023 Le Théâtre du Nouveau Monde (Montreal)
    Project page
  19. Presented by NAC English Theatre
    Prison Dancer Citadel Theatre
    Nov 24 - Dec 2, 2023 Babs Asper Theatre (Ottawa)
    Project page
  20. Presented by Brussels Major Events
    Jusqu’à ce qu’on meure Transthéâtre
    Nov 24 - Dec 31, 2023 Brussels, Belgium
    Project page
  21. Presented by Massey Theatre
    The Storyville Mosquito Kid Koala
    Nov 25 - Nov 26, 2023 Massey Theatre (New Westminster)
    Project page
  22. Presented by the Grand Theatre
    The Invisible - Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare Catalyst Theatre
    Jan 16 - Feb 3, 2024 Spriet Stage (London)
    Project page
  23. Presented by Canadian Stage
    Universal Child Care Quote Unquote Collective
    Feb 13 - Feb 25, 2024 Berkeley Street Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  24. Presented by Canadian Stage
    Searching for Eastman wind in the leaves collective
    Apr 4 - Apr 7, 2024 Berkeley Street Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  25. Presented by Danse Danse
    Symphonie de cœurs RD Créations
    Apr 4 - Apr 6, 2024 Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts (Montreal)
    Project page
  26. Presented by Danse Danse
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Apr 16 - Apr 21, 2024 Mont-Royal Arena (Montreal)
    Project page
  27. Presented by Shakespeare International Festival
    Jusqu’à ce qu’on meure Transthéâtre
    May 16 - May 26, 2024 Craiova, Romania
    Project page
  28. Presented by NAC Dance
    Symphonie de cœurs RD Créations
    May 30 2024 Southam Hall (Ottawa)
    Project page
  29. Presented by the Canadian Opera Company
    Aportia Chryptych: A Black Opera for Portia White Canadian Opera Company
    Jun 14 - Jun 16, 2024 Canadian Opera Company Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  30. Presented by La Strada
    Jusqu’à ce qu’on meure Transthéâtre
    Jul 30 - Aug 4, 2024 Graz, Austria
    Project page
  31. Presented by Cultura Nova
    Jusqu’à ce qu’on meure Transthéâtre
    Aug 24 - Aug 31, 2024 Heerlen, Netherlands
    Project page
View all