Annabelle Cloutier Named NAC Executive Director of Communications

The National Arts Centre (NAC) today announced the appointment of Annabelle Cloutier as NAC Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs, and Corporate Secretary.

Annabelle Cloutier is currently the Director of Communications and Public Affairs with the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. On May 7, Ms. Cloutier will take over the position from Rosemary Thompson, who recently became Vice-President of Marketing and Communications at the Banff Centre in Alberta.

“As the National Arts Centre prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year and present its first season of Indigenous Theatre, I am delighted to join the dedicated team who strive to make the NAC a home for Canada’s most creative artists,” said Annabelle Cloutier “I look forward to sharing my experience and leadership skills to help tell the story of the NAC’s exceptional success.”

“We are delighted to welcome Annabelle Cloutier to the NAC,” said Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre. “Annabelle’s unique experience and extensive contacts will be invaluable as we continue working with artists, arts organizations and arts educators across the country.”

As a fluently bilingual communications expert at Rideau Hall for the past nine years, Annabelle Cloutier has worked for the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean during the last years of her mandate, took the lead on communications during the mandate of the Right Honourable David Johnston (2010-2017), and has since been advising and supporting Canada’s current Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette.

As head of communications at Rideau Hall, Ms. Cloutier has overseen issues management, communications strategies, media relations, social media, marketing and creative services. She has been actively involved in planning Royal Tours by members of the Royal family, numerous international visits undertaken by governors general, and official visits to Canada by dignitaries and heads of State. She has been providing strategic advice for the Order of Canada and the Canadian Honours System, and was involved in the creation and launch of the Governor General’s Innovation Awards, the incubation of the Rideau Hall Foundation and the publication of two books by the Right Honourable David Johnston, The Idea of Canada and Ingenious.

Prior to joining Rideau Hall in 2009, she worked with francophone film and television producers after living for a couple of years in Western Africa where she was actively involved in the visual arts community. She also did advocacy for the arts and culture with la Fédération culturelle canadienne-française (FCCF) from 2001 to 2005.

Ms. Cloutier holds a Law Degree (LL.B.), was trained as a lawyer and studied in communications at the Université de Sherbrooke. She loves music and the arts, plays piano, and is married with two children. She is originally from the Eastern Townships of Québec.

Annabelle Cloutier has worked with the NAC on numerous occasions through functions such as the annual Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards and last July’s Royal Visit to open to new NAC Atrium. She is also a long-time NAC Orchestra subscriber.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Carl Martin
Director of Communications (Acting)
National Arts Centre
613 947-7000 x560
carl.martin@nac-cna.ca

 

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