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Professional Pathways: learning opportunities for artists and arts professionals
August 15, 2023This year, 46 talented young artists from around the world came together for the annual NAC Orchestra Mentorship Program – a unique, three-week professional development program for emerging orchestral musicians, conductors, and librarians. NACO musicians served as principal faculty,…
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Sector Recovery: cross-Canada partnerships, co-productions, and touring
August 15, 2023It was full speed ahead for Mani Soleymanlou's first NAC French Theatre season as Artistic Director. Un. Deux. Trois., an epic performance written and directed by Mani, opened at the NAC in September 2022 before going on tour to eight other Canadian cities—Sudbury, Toronto, Montréal,…
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Sarah Jennings: Sharing a lifelong passion for opera
June 15, 2023Sarah Jennings, political and cultural journalist and author of the book Art and Politics: The History of the National Arts Centre is a longtime friend and champion of the NAC. Her most recent gift to the NAC Foundation supports the NAC Orchestra’s in-concert performances of Mozart’s Don…
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Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer’s Journey to the NAC Stage
June 2, 2023Some things are worth waiting for. Over the past 18 months, NAC Indigenous Theatre Artistic Director Kevin Loring’s satirical play, Litte Red Warrior and His Lawyer, has challenged and entertained audiences from Victoria to Ottawa. A huge impact from its first performance, this play has…
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An Investment for Tomorrow
June 2, 2023On Thursday, May 11, the National Arts Centre Foundation celebrated a very special group of donors: those who have chosen to support the future of the performing arts by leaving a gift in their Will. Members of that special group—the Emeritus Circle—enjoyed an afternoon tea before watching…
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Bringing the Power of Reggae Music and More to Students Across the...
June 2, 2023It has been an eventful first season for Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, the National Arts Centre’s Orchestra’s Principal Youth Conductor and Creative Partner, full of wonderful music making and important firsts. In February 2022, Daniel became the first Black titled conductor in the NAC…
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Donald Meakin — Grateful Memories
April 17, 2023Memory is a wonderful thing, and for Don Meakin the many performances he has enjoyed at the National Arts Centre over the years have enriched his bank of memories tremendously. And he is profoundly grateful. From a young age Don valued creative arts such as painting and writing poetry and,…
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Samantha Wrenshall Plavins – Giving with a Passion
April 17, 2023Samantha Plavins is unequivocal: “I love the NAC and am proud of all it does!” And those heart-felt feelings are based on first-hand experience. Sam was raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After graduating from Lakehead University in 1998 with a HBMus. specializing in piano, she moved to…
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The Stories We Share
March 27, 2023I always knew that the NAC was special, a place where hearts and minds are transformed through the power of music, dance and theatre. But little did I know when I became head of NAC Communications in 2001 (and then CEO of the Foundation in 2009) what an amazing adventure I was embarking on,…
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To The Moon and Back with Sarah Garton Stanley and the National...
March 27, 2023In July 2022, Sarah Garton Stanley (SGS) joined the NAC’s National Creation Fund as its new Artistic Producer. As an award-winning theatre maker, a change maker and a highly sought-after director and dramaturg, SGS seeks to forge connections between the performing arts and the questions of…
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Give while you live: Donald K. Johnson’s historic $1M gift to the GGPAA
February 24, 2022Canadian philanthropist and businessman Donald K. Johnson was born and raised in Lundar, Manitoba and currently lives in Toronto, Ontario. Known for being one of the most successful investment bankers on Bay Street, Mr. Johnson is also recognized for advocating tax changes to encourage…
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Dancers in the Sky
February 14, 2022The Kipnes Lantern is often referred to as the NAC’s “Fifth Stage”, and rightly so. The Lantern, named after longtime NAC Foundation donors Dianne and Irv Kipnes, is a signature feature of the NAC’s architectural rejuvenation. Since 2017, the Lantern has served as a beacon for the…
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Earth Medicine: Dancing the Land
February 14, 2022To support performing artists during the pandemic, NAC Indigenous Theatre invited artists from across the country to create brief digital works using the land as their source of inspiration. The result is Dancing the Land—passionate, raw and beautiful explorations of the artists’…
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BIG BANG: An Incredible Celebration of Music
March 8, 2021Thanks to generous donors like you, thousands of children from across the country were transported on a magical, musical adventure from the comfort of their homes the weekend of February 13 and 14 during the BIG BANG festival. This year BIG BANG’s Artistic Director and Associate Artistic…
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Livestreams: Creating a New Stage for Canada’s Performing Artists
February 3, 2021Thanks to your generous support, the NAC Orchestra and performing artists from across the country have found a new stage through the NAC’s livestreams. In response to the closure and limited capacity of performing arts venues, the NAC has showcased many beloved artists through livestream…
