News Releases

  1. National Arts Centre mourns the passing of celebrated Canadian screen legend Gordon Tootoosis  

    July 6, 2011

    Ottawa (Canada)—It was with great sadness the National Arts Centre (NAC) today learned of the passing of Gordon Tootoosis, one of Canada’s most celebrated actors.  In addition to a long and illustrious career in film and television, Mr. Tootoosis recently appeared at the NAC last May, making his long-awaited return to the stage in the title role of the provocative play Gordon... Read more

  2. National Arts Centre mourns the passing of Canadian composer Malcolm Forsyth

    July 5, 2011

    Ottawa (Canada)—It was with great sadness the National Arts Centre (NAC) today learned of the passing of Malcolm Forsyth, one of Canada’s most esteemed composers, and beloved father of NAC Orchestra Principal Cellist, Amanda Forsyth.  The legendary composer had a profound impact on the cultural life of this country. Most recently, Mr. Forsyth travelled to the NAC to attend the... Read more

  3. National Arts Centre Foundation honours Peter Herrndorf by creating $1.2 million CEO’s National Fund in support of performing arts programs across Canada

    July 4, 2011

    Ottawa, Canada – The National Arts Centre Foundation today honoured the longtime, visionary leader of the National Arts Centre (NAC) by creating a $1.2 million CEO’s National Fund in support of the Centre’s performing arts programs across Canada.   Since his appointment as President and CEO of the National Arts Centre in 1999, Mr. Herrndorf has upheld his strategic... Read more

  4. Celebrate Canada at the National Arts Centre! Free Canada Day concerts with the NAC Orchestra, Unisong and other fun activities

    June 24, 2011

    Ottawa, Canada – The National Arts Centre’s Canada Day tradition continues with fun activities for the whole family. The incredible lineup includes:  the NAC Orchestra and the 250 choristers Unisong Choir with guest conductor Scott Leithead the popular Kids Corner with storyteller Michel Farant and a coloring postcard activity break-dance performance by Canadian dance... Read more

  5. The National Arts Centre’s Board of Trustees extends Peter Herrndorf’s contract as President and CEO until 2013.

    June 23, 2011

    Ottawa (Canada) –The Board of Trustees of the National Arts Centre (NAC) announced today that Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the NAC, has agreed to extend his contract for two more years (September 1, 2011 - August 31, 2013). “Peter Herrndorf has firmly stamped the ‘national’ back into the National Arts Centre and extended its reach to all Canadians” said... Read more

  6. More than one million people visited the National Arts Centre during its 40th Anniversary Year

    June 23, 2011

    Ottawa (Canada)—The 2009-2010 Annual Report of the National Arts Centre (NAC) tabled in Parliament last week, shows that a total of 1,084,233 patrons took part in performances, events and commercial activities during the NAC’s 40th anniversary season. This included an increase in the organization’s paid attendance for both its Music and English Theatre performances, as well as... Read more

  7. Call for nominations for the National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring

    June 14, 2011

    Ottawa (Canada) —The National Arts Centre and the Canadian Arts Presenting Association  (CAPACOA) are once again extending a call for nominations for the National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring. The deadline for nominations is Friday, September 16, 2011. The National Arts Centre award will be presented at a special dinner on Sunday, November 6, 2011, during... Read more

  8. New interactive NACmusicbox TIMELINE offers 200 free NAC Orchestra recordings and explores Canada’s contribution to music history

    May 31, 2011

    Ottawa (Canada) – The National Arts Centre in partnership with the Virtual Museum of Canada today launched the NACmusicbox TIMELINE, a free online music collection and interactive learning resource for students, teachers and music lovers.  TIMELINE, offered through the NAC’s wildly popular ArtsAlive.ca website, maps 80 Canadian works and 134 international works on an interactive... Read more

  9. NAC PresentsRUFUS WAINWRIGHT Saturday, November 12, 2011 in Southam HallTickets on sale June 1st at 10 a.m.

    May 27, 2011

    For immediate release OTTAWA, May 27, 2011 – NAC Presents is delighted to announce that Rufus Wainwright will perform solo for the very first time at the NAC’s Southam Hall on Saturday, November 12, 2011. The two-time JUNO award winner will perform an intimate show on grand piano for this special concert, one night only, at the NAC. This concert is part of the NAC Presents 2011-2012... Read more

  10. The NAC’s Arts Education website ArtsAlive.ca wins prestigious national award at the Mesh Conference in Toronto

    May 26, 2011

    Ottawa (Canada) –The National Arts Centre (NAC) is thrilled to announce that the NAC’s educational website  ArtsAlive.ca  has received a .CA Impact Award in the eLearning category at the annual Mesh Conference in Toronto. The ArtsAlive.ca website was competing against 600 entries from across the country. The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) announced the award... Read more