The National Arts Centre Foundation today launched the Name your Seat in Southam Hall Campaign in support of the National Arts Centre’s work in performance, creation and learning across Canada. The Campaign was announced the same week as the re-opening and major renovation of Southam Hall – the first in the NAC’s 47-year history.

The goal of the 5-year Name your Seat in Campaign is to raise $500,000 – 100 seats at $5,000 each – from current and new NAC donors. The honorary chair for the Campaign is Ottawa philanthropist Barbara Crook, an outstanding community volunteer and longtime supporter of the National Arts Centre.

For more information about the Name your Seat in Southam Hall Campaign visit nac-cna.ca.

“I am delighted to lead this wonderful initiative,” said Barbara Crook. “This campaign provides our donors and the public at large a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help us bring breathtaking performance to Canada’s stage, inspire new creation and provide life-changing learning opportunities for young people.”

Thousands of the world’s greatest artists – including Rudolf Nureyev, Charles Aznavour, Leonard Cohen, Celine Dion, Christopher Plummer, to name a few – have performed here since 1969. The improvements to the 2,000-seat venue include the addition of two aisles which will dramatically improve accessibility, allowing people to move more freely and provide an easier journey to an assigned seat. There will be up to 16 places for wheelchair seating on the Orchestra floor, depending on the configuration of Southam Hall and the type of performance taking place (e.g. classical concert, rock show, Broadway, etc.). In addition, there are new seats and a new oak floor which will dramatically enhance the listening experience in Southam Hall and give the audience the sense of being embraced by the sound.

ABOUT THE NAC FOUNDATION

The National Arts Centre Foundation (NACF) raises funds to support the National Arts Centre’s work in performance, creation and learning across Canada. Since its founding in 2000, the National Arts Centre Foundation has raised over $100 million to enrich the lives of Canadians through the performing arts and champion our country’s artists, students and educators. The NACF’s mission is to inspire Canadians to support the National Arts Centre’s priorities in performance, creation and learning by:

• Strategically planning meaningful ways to engage donors, potential donors and volunteers;
• Developing annual fundraising plans to achieve maximum support for the performing arts and education activities of  the NAC;
• Designing and implementing stewardship plans to ensure long term donor relationships;
• Raising the profile of the NAC and promoting and supporting the performing arts across Canada; and
• Becoming a recognized leader in philanthropy through adoption of best practices and commitment to our values.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Carl Martin
Communications
National Arts Centre
613 947-7000 x560
carl.martin@nac-cna.ca