NAC Launches 2016-17 Share the Spirit Program for Deserving Children and Families
The National Arts Centre (NAC), with the help of Presenting Sponsor Sun Life Financial and generous partners and donors, is bringing the magic of live performing arts this holiday season and throughout the year to hundreds of deserving children and their families in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
This is the eighth year for Share the Spirit, an initiative aimed at families who, for economic or health reasons, may not have the opportunity to enjoy live performances at the NAC. Share the Spirit will enable them to attend performances of holiday classics such as Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker and English Theatre’s A Christmas Carol. Families will also attend performances by the NAC Orchestra including Stavinsky’s Italian Ballet, The Music of Star Wars, Pinchas Conducts Haydn and All Night Long: The Music of the 80’s, French Theatre’s 26 Lettres à danser, and many other wonderful productions throughout the NAC’s entire performance season – for free.
The NAC also announced today that Ottawa REDBLACKS mascot Big Joe will act as Share the Spirit Honorary Chair for a second consecutive year. Big Joe will be in the NAC foyer tonight to greet audience members during the Nutcracker's Sugar Plum Parties. He will also be making an appearance on the Southam Hall stage during the welcome speeches.
“Share the Spirit has touched so many hearts in 2015-16.” said Jayne Watson, CEO of the NAC Foundation. “We’re proud of the success of the program so far and hope to reach even more deserving families this holiday season and throughout the entire year. We’re so excited to be working with a dedicated group of community partners whose clients are benefiting from the program.”
This year Share the Spirit is delighted to welcome new partner Refugee 613 along with returning partners: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Candlelighters, CHEO Foundation, Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa, Christie Lake Kids, Community Living Renfrew County South, The Ottawa Food Bank, Interval House, the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, the Snowsuit Fund, United Way, and the YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region.
"Sun Life is incredibly proud to once again support the National Art Centre’s Share the Spirit program as the Presenting Sponsor," said Paul Joliat, Assistant Vice-President, Philanthropy & Sponsorships, Sun Life Financial. "We believe arts and culture should be made accessible to everyone regardless of their means and the holiday season is a perfect time to celebrate the arts with loved ones and share magical moments just like these."
Share the Spirit is made possible through the support of Presenting Sponsor Sun Life Financial, a Donor- Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of Ottawa at the Associate Partner level, and Supporting Partners The Honourable John Manley, P.C. O.C. & Mrs. Judith Manley, Glenview Management Limited and the Leacross Foundation, as well as other donors who have contributed to Share the Spirit through the NAC Foundation Donors’ Circle.
Visit nac-cna.ca/en/foundation/sharethespirit to donate.
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