News Releases

  1. THE NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT OF THE BIG BANG FESTIVAL A ROUSING SUCCESS!

    March 5, 2019

    8000 people enjoyed the family-friendly two-day Festival of sound By all accounts the North American debut of Europe’s BIG BANG Festival was a rousing success! On February 17 and 18 the NAC opened its doors to 8000 participants who enjoyed adventures in sound, dozens of shows, performances and sound installations dreamed up by artists from here and abroad in celebration of the joy of... Read more

  2. NAC TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH POWERFUL PERFORMANCES AND FREE EVENTS

    March 1, 2019

    March 8th features free events and performances including the REDdress project, experimental vocalist and artist Tanya Tagaq, and the NAC Orchestra’s groundbreaking performance Life Reflected OTTAWA — On March 8, the National Arts Centre will celebrate International Women’s Day with a lineup of powerful events and activities honouring inspiring women. The day is an occasion... Read more

  3. CITY OF OTTAWA PROCLAIMS “NAC ORCHESTRA COMMUNITY WEEK” AS THE ANNUAL, HALLMARK OUTREACH PROGRAM BEGINS

    January 21, 2019

    The annual community collaboration reaches hundreds in the NCR through side-by-side workshops and concerts in schools, hospitals and senior living centres. OTTAWA — The annual NAC Orchestra Community Week begins today. To mark the occasion, Mayor Jim Watson has proclaimed January 21st to 27th NAC Orchestra Community Week in Ottawa. The program’s mission is to reach students, youth,... Read more

  4. NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE APPOINTS ARNA EINARSDÓTTIR AS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE ORCHESTRA

    December 3, 2018

    News Release NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE APPOINTS ARNA EINARSDÓTTIR AS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE ORCHESTRA December 3, 2018 – OTTAWA (Canada) – The National Arts Centre is very pleased to announce that Arna Einarsdóttir, Managing Director of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra (ISO), will become the new Managing Director of Canada’s National Arts Centre... Read more

  5. NAC Marks the End of the First World War Anniversary with Concerts, Free Events, Digital Displays

    November 1, 2018

    As Canadians commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, and remember the Canadian soldiers who fought and were killed in that terrible conflict, the National Arts Centre will offer solemn performances, free public events and displays of stunning digital images on and leading up to Remembrance Day. These events represent a coda to the NAC’s First World War centennial... Read more

  6. 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

  7. NAC Lifts the Curtain on Performance Hall Upgrades, Including Stunning New Orchestra Shell

    September 6, 2018

    The National Arts Centre (NAC) today lifted the curtain on dramatic production upgrades in its performance spaces, including a stunning new orchestra shell in its signature Southam Hall venue. These upgrades are part of the Production Renewal Project, a $114.9 million investment by the Government of Canada since 2014. Much of the NAC’s aging electrical and theatrical equipment has now been... Read more

  8. NAC Flag Flies at Half-mast in Honour of Canadian Theatre Icon Albert Millaire

    August 15, 2018

    The National Arts Centre mourns the loss of award-winning actor and director Albert Millaire. He was 83. Mr. Millaire had a significant impact on the cultural life of Canada, having received their country’s highest distinction in the performing arts, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2006. The National Arts Centre’s flag will fly at... Read more

  9. National Arts Centre Flags Fly at Half-mast in Honour of Jazz-Great Tommy Banks

    January 26, 2018

    The National Arts Centre (NAC) has lowered its flag at half-mast in memory of the legendary Canadian pianist and international conductor Tommy Banks, who has died at the age of 81. Tommy Bank’s career spanned more than six decades and included performances with international celebrities including Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett. He was an avid supporter of other Canadian artists, equally... Read more

  10. 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

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