Stage Door News
Stage Door News
OTTAWA (Canada) February 9, 2016 – The National Arts Centre (NAC) today welcomed the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage to the official groundbreaking marking the beginning of the architectural rejuvenation of Canada’s home of the performing arts. The “new” National Arts Centre will include a glittering entrance on Elgin Street, facing Confederation Square with improved performance and public spaces that will enjoy one of the most magnificent views of the nation’s capital.
The rejuvenation of the National Arts Centre is one of the largest capital investments by the Government of Canada to mark Canada’s 150th Anniversary. The grand opening will take place on July 1st 2017.
“First opened in 1969 as a legacy of the centennial of Confederation, the NAC has grown into a thriving part of Canada’s arts scene, dedicated to performance, creation and learning,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “We are proud to invest in this important institution to mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation. The NAC is writing a new chapter that will allow it to adapt to the next 50 years. We are pleased to contribute directly to this renewal project, something that will be a source of pride for all Canadians.”
The project will be a dazzling addition to the nation’s capital and proudly symbolizes excellence in the performing arts in Canada.
“As the NAC reaches towards its own 50th anniversary, we are thrilled that our audiences will be able to enjoy improved performance spaces, public areas for education and events and full accessibility for people with mobility challenges,” said Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre. “More than 1.2 million visitors come to the NAC each year. Soon they will be able to enjoy a warm and inviting space that embraces the capital for the very first time.”
The NAC is working with Donald Schmitt, one of Canada’s most celebrated architects, to design the new addition. Mr. Schmitt and the team at Diamond Schmitt Architects have built some of the most iconic performing arts venues around the world including the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Maison Symphonique in Montréal, the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia and the new David Geffen Hall (formerly Avery Fisher Hall) in New York City.
“The NAC’s digital projections on the new lantern-shaped entrance on Elgin Street will be a showcase for the performing arts, not only in Ottawa, but also right across the country,” said Mr. Schmitt. “People have often remarked that it is unfortunate that the NAC turns its back to the city. This design will change that. The NAC will finally face the city and its most important square, Confederation Square.”
The National Arts Centre presents on average 1,300 performances a year in Music, Dance and Theatre. All public performances will go ahead as scheduled during the 18-month renovation period. PCL Constructors, one of Canada’s leading construction companies is now working on the project.
“As the PCL Ottawa district celebrates more than 25 years in the nation’s capital, we are very proud to be working with the NAC in Ottawa and playing an important role in transforming this Canadian landmark,” said Kevin Skinner, Vice President and District Manager for PCL’s Ottawa operations. “We believe the renewal of the NAC will bring great energy to the downtown core by showcasing the performing arts in such an exciting venue.”
Quick NAC Facts:
•Opened in 1969 as a centennial project and designated a national historic site of Canada in 2006, the National Arts Centre welcomes more than 1.2 million visitors each year.
•The NAC is Canada’s only multidisciplinary, bilingual performing arts centre. It has a mandate to work not only in the National Capital Region, but also with artists and arts organizations across Canada to build a national stage for the performing arts everywhere.
•It presents more than 1,300 shows a year, including the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala.
•The NAC showcases Canadian artists through its biennial Scene festivals. These shine a national spotlight on established and emerging artists from different regions of the country, and will culminate with Canada Scene in 2017.
•Over the past decade, the NAC Foundation has raised more than $100 million to support performance, creation and learning.
•Arts, culture and heritage represent close to $50 billion in the Canadian economy and over 647,000 jobs across the country.
Hashtags: #BuildingBrilliance #PremièrePelletée #NAC2017 #CNA2017
Illustration: A rendering of the NAC’s new Elgin Street entrance. ©2016 Diamond Schmitt Architects.
2016-02-09
Ottawa: The National Arts Centre officially breaks ground on the "new" NAC