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Championing change and celebrating diversity in classical music
March 10, 2023Chineke! Orchestra kicks off its Canadian tour with a performance at Southam Hall on March 16. The orchestra, making its debut in Canada, was founded in 2015 to provide career opportunities for Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians in the UK and Europe. After its first concert…
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Spotlight on Women Leaders at the NAC
March 8, 2023On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate, elevate and support women leaders in the arts. The contribution of women to the vibrancy of the performing arts in Canada was in the spotlight at the NAC Gala on November 5, 2022. We took the opportunity to introduce some of the women who…
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“Canada’s Secret Source of Funding”
February 28, 2023This one goes out in honour of the memory of Peter Herrndorf. Peter passed away on Saturday February 18th, and is survived by his family and thousands upon thousands who were lucky to have known him. The National Creation Fund was established under his watchful eye, and every success the…
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Yao, artist and educator: Sharing a passion for words
February 22, 2023Throughout his career, Yao has struck the perfect balance of singer-songwriter and artist-educator. Hailing from Ottawa, with roots in Togo and Côte d’Ivoire, Yao is most famous for his work as a rapper and slammer and has led over a decade’s worth of writing workshops for high schoolers.…
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The NAC mourns the loss of Peter Herrndorf
February 20, 2023The National Arts Centre is mourning the loss of Peter A. Herrndorf, C.C., O. Ont., one of Canada’s greatest cultural leaders, who died on February 18 at the age of 82. He was the NAC’s visionary former President and CEO who served from 1999 to 2018. Peter led the NAC for nearly 19 years…
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“Onah,” or the Idealism of Black Art
February 13, 2023In February, Jimmy Baptiste’s Onah is featured on the National Arts Centre’s Kipnes Lantern, lighting up the downtown area. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the Afrofuturistic colours of the Haitian-Canadian artist’s work, which was specially commissioned by the NAC for Black…
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Caroline Ohrt Named Next Executive Producer of NAC Dance
February 13, 2023The NAC has announced the appointment of Caroline Ohrt as the next Executive Producer of NAC Dance, effective March 20, 2023. She succeeds Cathy Levy, C.M., who will be stepping down March 31, 2023, after planning and programming her 23rd and last NAC Dance season for 2023-2024. Caroline…
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Jayne Watson to step down as CEO of the NAC Foundation
February 9, 2023The National Arts Centre has announced that Jayne Watson will step down as CEO of the NAC Foundation on May 31, 2023. Jayne Watson joined the NAC in 2001, serving as Director of Communications and Public Affairs until 2009 before she was appointed CEO of the Foundation. Under her…
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Twelve for Twelve
January 26, 20232023 is dedicated to experiments. Here’s 12. One for each month. Why? Because that’s really what it’s all about. Experiments! Happy New Year! (And…in true storytelling style I am saving the most exciting news – about our latest investment – for the end). 1. Previous Track Record. You need…
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Is God Is introduces the first NAC Black Out night
January 16, 2023NAC English Theatre is excited to begin 2023 with the Dora Mavor Moore Award-winning presentation of Aleshea Harris’ Is God Is, running February 9-18. As one of the milestones in a series of offerings over Black History Month, this genre-smashing production will introduce the first of two…
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Workshopping the Movement of Fall On Your Knees
January 13, 2023National Arts Centre English Theatre, Vita Brevis Arts, Canadian Stage, Neptune Theatre and Grand Theatre are preparing for unprecedented partnership that will bring the world premiere stage adaptation of the Canadian classic Fall On Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald to four cities –…
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KEEP GOING. CELEBRATE. KEEP GOING.
December 20, 2022Last month I asked what works of performance had changed the world around you. Responses were eclectic and fascinating. From Wagner's Parsifal at the Met, to a first experience with Holy Body Tattoo, through to Neworld's King Arthur, it was a list of introductions and recollection. I loved…
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Pangawogo Ninga Akì: The art of walking gently on the land
December 14, 2022In some Indigenous cultures, the days leading up to the December 21 Winter Solstice is a time of storytelling. “It’s a season of change, when the autumn harvest makes way for the period when elders gather the children and share knowledge,” said Emily Akikodjiwan Brascoupé-Hoefler, an…
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When your dream tastes like coffee!
December 1, 2022With its equally popular music and choreography, the holiday classic The Nutcracker transports us instantly to the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Rat King, and enchanted figurines. A few notes from Tchaikovsky's magnificent score and a Pas de deux will make even the grumpiest in the…
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Rethinking the Role of the Producer
December 1, 2022First National Producer Gathering to leverage the strength of a network Some 15 Canadian producers will gather at the National Arts Centre (NAC) from November 30 to December 3 to share their knowledge, reflect on the various issues they face, and envision the future. The result of two…