THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE OFFICIALLY BREAKS GROUND ON THE “NEW” NAC

The National Arts Centre (NAC) 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 150^th Anniversary. The grand opening will take place on July 1^st 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 150^thanniversary 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 50^th 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.”