News Releases

  1. NAC 50TH ANNIVERSARY GOLDEN GALA TO FEATURE MUSIC, DANCE, THEATRE & SPECIAL SET BY ICON SARAH MCLACHLAN

    June 10, 2019

    OTTAWA, June 10th, 2019 —The 23rd annual NAC fundraising Gala marking the National Arts Centre’s 50th Anniversary will take place on Saturday, October 5th, 2019.The gala-concert showcases artists from Dance, Theatre and Music and includes a performance by Grammy and Juno award winning Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan with the NAC Orchestra. Tickets go on sale to the public on... Read more

  2. NEW MUSIC FOR LOUIS RIEL SCORE CO-COMMISSIONED BY NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE AND CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY

    June 6, 2019

    June 6, 2019 – OTTAWA (Canada) – The National Arts Centre is proud to partner with the Canadian Opera Company in co-commissioning a new work to replace the music from the Kuyas aria that opens the third act of Louis Riel by composer Harry Somers and librettist Mavor Moore. Composer Ian Cusson, of Métis and French-Canadian descent, has been commissioned to create this new work... Read more

  3. On its 50th Anniversary Thousands of Canadians made the NAC their stage

    June 3, 2019

    On Sunday, June 2, 2019 the National Arts Centre celebrated its 50th Anniversary by welcoming thousands of Canadians to its free 50th Anniversary open house. This momentous occasion provided a rare look at the magic of the backstage, lively workshops in theatre and dance, free performances by Canadian artists, and family activities throughout the NAC’s public spaces. This unique event was in... Read more

  4. THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE ORCHESTRA CONCLUDES A HISTORIC EUROPEAN TOUR ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

    May 30, 2019

    Featuring the work of six Canadian composers, presenting five Canadian soloists and offering over 60 learning and engagement activities, this unprecedented international tour by the NAC Orchestra brought Canadian art, artists and stories to the world stage. May 30, 2019 – OTTAWA (Canada)  On the occasion of its 50th Anniversary, the National Arts Centre Orchestra led by its Music... Read more

  5. NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE RESTAURANT LAUNCHES RESIDENT CHEFS PROGRAM, REVEALS NEW NAME AND LOOK

    May 29, 2019

    1 Elgin Restaurant to Provide National Stage for Canadian Chefs Starting August 14 May 29, 2019 – OTTAWA (Canada) Today, four days before its 50th anniversary, the National Arts Centre (NAC) announced a new resident chef’s program that will provide a national stage featuring some of Canada’s best and most exciting chefs. The NAC also announced that it would close its fine dining... Read more

  6. PROGRAMMING DETAILS ANNOUNCED: THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE’S FREE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE ON JUNE 2

    May 23, 2019

    May 23, 2019 – OTTAWA (Canada) – The National Arts Centre is delighted to share programming details of its free 50th Anniversary Open House on Sunday, June 2. This unique event, which takes place on the NAC’s actual 50th anniversary, will feature the largest backstage tour in 25 years; music, theatre and dance workshops; pop-up performances by Canadian artists; and activities the... Read more

  7. NAC PRESENTS WINS TOP HONOURS AT CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK’S 2019 LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY AWARDS

    May 13, 2019

    Heather Gibson and staff behind NAC Presents recognized for outstanding team work OTTAWA (Canada) --The team behind the National Arts Centre (NAC)’s Presents concert series, was recognized for their outstanding team work, winning the Best Teamwork in a Soft Seat Theatre / Performing Arts Centre award at the 2019 Live Music Industry Awards ceremony, on Friday 10 May. Created... Read more

  8. THE NEW NAC ANNUAL REPORT DETAILS EXTRAORDINARY YEAR OF RENEWAL AT THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE

    May 10, 2019

    NAC releases digital annual report for first time   OTTAWA (Canada) – The National Arts Centre’s 2017–2018 annual report, entitled The New NAC, was tabled in Parliament last week. The report documents an extraordinary year of renewal, not only of the NAC building, but also the entire institution. In addition, for the first time in its history, the NAC Annual Report... Read more

  9. National Arts Centre Compost Program to Divert 500,000 Food and Drink Containers from Landfill Annually

    May 9, 2019

    The National Arts Centre (NAC) and the Hon. Catherine McKenna, Canadian Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, today unveiled an innovative program that will introduce plant-based food and drink containers and transform them into rich compost to be put into herb gardens at the NAC. The move will divert 500,000 containers from the landfill... Read more

  10. OUR STORIES ARE MEDICINE: CANADA’S NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE UNVEILS INAUGURAL SEASON OF WORLD’S FIRST NATIONAL INDIGENOUS THEATRE

    April 30, 2019

    Season Celebrates Resilience of Indigenous Women and Features More than 10 Indigenous Languages OTTAWA (Canada)  – Canada’s National Arts Centre today unveiled details of the inaugural season of the first national Indigenous Theatre department in the world. The season will celebrate Indigenous women’s resilience, strength and beauty, with 9 productions out of 11... Read more