News Releases

  1. A MUSICAL ADVENTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: THE BIG BANG IS BACK AT NAC

    January 15, 2020

    An explosion of fun, shows and free activities… and much more! Get ready: the BIG BANG festival is back... and it will blow your socks off! The fun begins in just one month, on February 16 and 17 at the National Arts Centre (NAC). For one festive week-end, the BIG BANG will again transform the NAC into a joyful musical maze, full of adventures in sound to explore.... 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. BOUNDLESS RANGE OF MUSIC, DANCE AND THEATRE NAC Orchestra, Dance, NAC Presents, English Theatre and Théâtre français announce their 2019-2020 seasons

    March 16, 2019

    News Release   BOUNDLESS RANGE OF MUSIC, DANCE AND THEATRE NAC Orchestra, Dance, NAC Presents, English Theatre and Théâtre français announce their 2019-2020 seasons! March 16, 2019 – OTTAWA (Canada) – As the National Arts Centre continues to celebrate 50 years of delivering the best in the performing arts in 2019, we look ahead to the excitement of the... Read more

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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