Cutting the Ribbon

On August 22 the ribbon was cut on the latest named space in the National Arts Centre. The Mohammad Al Zaibak Lantern Room, formally known simply as The Lantern Room, has pride of place as one of the signature spaces on the Terrace level of the “new” NAC.

The room is named in honour of Mohammad Al Zaibak, a Toronto-based philanthropist with a long history of supporting the arts, to recognize his $1 million leadership gift in support of diversity in NAC programming in music, theatre and dance, with a focus on greater representation for Arab-Canadian artists and works.

“Mohammad Al Zaibak is a generous patron of the arts in Toronto, but also grateful to Canada for the opportunities he and his family have had since arriving in Canada in 1989”, said NAC Foundation CEO Jayne Watson. “The family’s gift underlines their belief in the importance of national cultural organizations and the role that the NAC plays in supporting performance, creation and learning in the performing arts across Canada.  We are profoundly grateful for this latest gift.”