"It's another performance" says Kevin Skinner of PCL Constructors when describing the NAC's renovations. "That's what we want to make it. To make sure the public can see the whole project to completion and the ribbon cutting ceremony in 2017."
Since its opening in 1969 the National Arts Centre has been a champion for the arts in Canada and the "new" NAC will enhance that role. "With breathtaking new public spaces designed by the brilliant Toronto architect Donald Schmitt, the NAC will embrace Confederation Square and the city of Ottawa as never before." says CEO Peter Herrndorf. "An extraordinary gift from the Government of Canada, the new NAC will stand as a living symbol of Canada’s thriving artistic life."
How fitting then that the National Arts Centre's ground breaking ceremony began with a poem about creation. Spoken word artist and modern troubadour YAO reminds all of us that the driving the force behind the NAC's architectural rejuvenation is the desire to create and share our culture with others. YAO's poem closes with the following words;
Creating
Not to change the world
But to transport our childlike heart to the rest of the world.
- YAO
