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National Arts Centre 2017-2018 Annual Report

Highlights for 2017-2018

The National Arts Centre Foundation sincerely thanks the donors, sponsors and foundations from across Canada who support performance, creation and learning nationwide. Below are just a few highlights from the 2017–2018 season.

  • On September 16, the NAC Gala, presented by Rogers, featured Alexander Shelley, the NAC Orchestra, and a stunning performance by k.d. lang. The event raised more than $780,000 (net) for the National Arts Centre’s National Youth and Education Trust, which supports performing arts education across Canada.
  • The National Creation Fund opened on November 1, 2017. The Fund invests up to $3 million each year in the development of 15 to 20 ambitious new works by artists and arts organizations from across Canada. The Fund is supported by generous donors to the Creation Campaign.
  • The Slaight Family Foundation renewed its gift of $500,000 to bring emerging artists to the NAC as part of the NAC Presents series over the next five years. NAC Presents, in partnership with BMO Financial Group, features an all-Canadian lineup of emerging and established musicians.
  • In 2017–2018, 82 donors named individual seats in Southam Hall, pledging more than $445,000. Special thanks to Honorary Campaign Chairs Susan Peterson d’Aquino and Thomas d’Aquino, as well as everyone who named a seat in support of the performing arts.
  • English Theatre’s tour of Tartuffe to Newfoundland from September 28 to October 14 opened to a capacity crowd at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John’s. The Tour was made possible with support from Elinor Gill Ratcliffe C.M., O.N.L., LL.D., and Penney Group, as well as Rick Mercer and Gerald Lunz.
  • Donor support helped English, French and Indigenous artists create the landmark, multilingual production Gabriel Dumont’s Wild West Show, which premiered at the NAC and toured to Montreal, Winnipeg and Saskatoon.
  • Joan and Jerry Lozinski supported The National Ballet of Canada’s production of Nijinsky in January 2018. This is the sixth consecutive year the Lozinskis have supported the company’s NAC performances.
  • The NAC Orchestra’s Canada 150 Tour wrapped up with visits to Iqaluit and Yellowknife from December 4 to 9. The Tour was made possible with leadership support from Tour Patrons Gail O’Brien, LL.D., and David O’Brien, O.C.; Janice and Earle O’Born, Tour Patrons of Life Reflected at Luminato; Presenting Supporters Alice and Grant Burton; Supporting Partners Peng Lin & Yu Gu; Education Partner Dasha Shenkman, OBE, Hon RCM; Digital Partner Facebook; and First Air, Travel Partner in the North.
  • On March 1, a tribute dinner for Peter Herrndorf, outgoing President and CEO of the National Arts Centre, took place in the Canada Room with performances by Angela Hewitt, Molly Johnson and Chantal Kreviazuk. The event raised more than $1.1M (net) for Indigenous Theatre.
  • An anonymous couple gave a leadership gift to Indigenous Theatre, joining BMO Financial Group and Frank and Debbi Sobey in support of the new discipline, and bringing total fundraising to more than $2 million.
  • The NAC produced the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards show, presented by Birks, on June 2. Amoryn Engel and Ben Smith were the Co-Chairs of the National Committee of volunteers, and Emmanuelle Gattuso was the Honorary Chair.
  • The NAC’s Share the Spirit program, presented by Sun Life Financial, provided more than 2,000 complimentary tickets, allowing deserving families and community groups across the National Capital Region to experience the wonder of live performance. A total of 627 donors and sponsors contributed to the program.
  • The 20th edition of the Young Artists Program was a great success. The program is made possible by the wonderful generosity of individual donors and corporations, the NAC’s National Youth and Education Trust, and its Lead Partner Rogers. We also thank Honorary Patron Sara Vered.
  • The Institute for Orchestral Studies, presented by RBC for a third year, welcomed five apprentices for six weeks of intense training and performance opportunities with the NAC Orchestra.
  • 2017–2018 marked the 20th year of partnership between the NAC Orchestra and Mark Motors of Ottawa as title sponsor of the Audi Signature Series. The NAC Foundation is grateful for their longstanding and generous support.