News Releases

  1. National Arts Centre a Gradual Return to Live Performances and a Continuation of Online Programming this Fall

    September 8, 2020

    The National Arts Centre (NAC) today unveiled details of its exciting September artistic lineup, which includes a gradual return to live performances in front of small audiences at the NAC and across Canada, as well as new online offerings.  Live shows get underway Friday September 11 at the NAC. They will take place in front of small, invited audiences due to the... Read more

  2. The 12 Highlights of the National Arts Centre's 50th Anniversary Year

    December 17, 2019

    The National Arts Centre enjoyed an extraordinary 50th anniversary year in 2019. It included exquisite performances by The National Ballet of Canada; the highly successful North American premiere of the popular BIG BANG festival; the landmark programming announcement for the inaugural season of Indigenous Theatre; a triumphant 50th Anniversary European Tour by the NAC Orchestra; a celebratory Open... Read more

  3. September 11 to 29: Mòshkamo Festival Kicks-off Inaugural Season of First Indigenous Theatre of its Kind at National Arts Centre

    September 6, 2019

    The inaugural 2019–2020 season of the world’s first national Indigenous Theatre of its kind gets underway in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre (NAC) with Mòshkamo: Indigenous Arts Rising, a unique Indigenous arts and community festival featuring exciting all-Indigenous programming in the NAC’s performance and public spaces September 11-29, 2019 The festival will take... Read more

  4. 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

  5. National Arts Centre Extends Alexander Shelley's Contract to 2023

    September 6, 2018

    The National Arts Centre (NAC) announced today that Alexander Shelley, Music Director of the NAC Orchestra, has agreed to extend his contract for four years, from September 1, 2019, to August 31, 2023. Since Mr. Shelley joined the NAC as Music Director in 2015, the Orchestra has strengthened its national role and focus on Canadian creation and artists, in addition to receiving... Read more

  6. Highlights of an Extraordinary and Historic Year at Canada's National Arts Centre

    December 27, 2017

    In the midst of Canada’s 150th year, the National Arts Centre had one of the most successful years in its 48-year history. Here are some of the highlights of 2017: 1) The appointment of Kevin Loring as the NAC’s first-ever Artistic Director of Indigenous Theatre Kevin Loring is a Nlaka’pamux from the Lytton First Nation in B.C., a Governor General’s Award-winning... Read more

  7. NAC Launches 2017-18 Share the Spirit Program for Deserving Children and Families

    November 30, 2017

    The National Arts Centre (NAC), with the help of Presenting Sponsor Sun Life Financial and generous partners and donors, is bringing the magic of live performing arts this holiday season and throughout the year to hundreds of deserving children and their families in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. This is the ninth year for Share the Spirit, an initiative aimed at families who, for economic or health... Read more

  8. Slaight Family Foundation Donates Another $500,000 to put Emerging Artists on NAC Stages

    October 3, 2017

    The National Arts Centre (NAC) is delighted to announce a $500,000 gift from the Slaight Family Foundation to support the up-and-coming Canadian artists who appear on its stages as part of NAC Presents, the Centre’s all-Canadian contemporary music series. Emerging artists who have been featured in the NAC Presents over the past five seasons include Lisa Leblanc, The Once, Lindi Ortega,... Read more

  9. NAC Gala Featuring k.d. lang Raises $747,000 for Arts Educations Programs Across Canada

    September 16, 2017

    Tonight’s 2017 National Arts Centre Gala presented by Rogers and featuring five Grammy- and Juno-Award winning singer/songwriter k.d. lang and the NAC Orchestra, under the leadership of its Music Director Alexander Shelley, has raised $747,000 (net) for the National Youth and Education Trust (NYET) in support of the NAC’s arts and education programs across Canada. The annual NAC Gala... Read more

  10. Transformational gift of $5 million and new named spaces at the NAC

    June 5, 2017

    The National Arts Centre (NAC) today announced a transformational gift of $5 million from Dr. Dianne Kipnes and Mr. Irving Kipnes of Edmonton. The Kipnes’ generosity in supporting the NAC and the performing arts in Canada will be recognized by naming the NAC’s new signature architectural feature, the “Kipnes Lantern”, located over the Centre’s Elgin Street entrance.... Read more