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The 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 Ohrt is a highly respected programmer and manager in the cultural and business communities with over 20 years’ experience in dance and visual art. Since 2015 she has served in various leadership roles – including Artistic Co-Director – at Montreal’s Danse Danse, one of Canada’s foremost contemporary dance presenters.
At Danse Danse, she programmed and collaborated with some of the world’s most acclaimed dance artists, including the U.K.s Akram Khan Company, Sénégal’s École des Sables, Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT), Australia’s Bangarra Dance Theatre and, closer to home, BJM – Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, Virginie Brunelle and the Dancers of Damelahamid.
“The NAC is thrilled to welcome Caroline Ohrt, an outstanding arts programmer with a proven track record as a dance producer and cultural leader. She will greatly contribute to the NAC’s vision to lead and support the performing arts sector in Canada,” said Christopher Deacon, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre. “After an extensive search, we have found a worthy successor to Cathy Levy who has taken the NAC’s Dance programming to new heights.”
"The National Arts Centre is an exceptional place,” said Caroline Ohrt. “It is a place where art forms converge and spark dialogue. What a privilege it is for me to lead the NAC’s Dance Department and to contribute to the development of so many artists I admire. I am honored to build on Cathy Levy’s exceptional legacy. I am excited to work with Christopher Deacon and the entire NAC team. I am grateful to them for putting their trust in me.”
About Caroline Ohrt
Caroline Ohrt has held a variety of positions in various cultural organizations, acquiring a solid knowledge of the arts ecosystem, management and governance. She has built strong local, national and international professional network which allowed her to present the highest calibre artists from all over the world at the Place des Arts, Danse Danse’s home. While there, she developed many partnerships. She cultivated opportunities for artists and audiences to meet on multiple platforms, whether at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, at the Arsenal Art Contemporain Art or virtually. She actively contributed to the growth of the organization and took to heart the support and development of artists, which remains a cornerstone of her work.
She has also held multiple positions in the world of contemporary arts, including with other dance organizations such as Compagnie Marie Chouinard and, more recently, at the Domaine Forget in Saint-Irénée. With a background in art history, Caroline has advised visual arts collectors and carried out assignments at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. She is recognized widely as a person in constant dialogue with the forces that shape contemporary creation.
Recognized for her innovative strategic vision, she is actively involved in the community through her participation on prominent boards and juries. Her advice is highly valued for her keen understanding of the cultural milieu and artistic realities.
