Fundraising Events
National Arts Centre Gala
We invite you to walk the red carpet with us at the National Arts Centre Gala – you’ll find glittering receptions, a concert featuring talented young musicians alongside world-renowned musicians and a gourmet dinner on the Southam Hall Stage.
As the signature fundraising event, the NAC Gala benefits the National Youth and Education Trust (NYET). The NYET provides funding for the NAC’s wide array of performing arts programming and educational initiatives for young artists, young audiences and schools across the country. Programs include the NAC Summer Music Institute, the Music Alive Program and the March Break Theatre Camp.
Every year, this evening attracts more than 50 leading corporations, senior levels of government and community leaders to invest in the artistic development of young Canadians while enjoying unparalleled entertainment.
The National Arts Centre and Opera Lyra retire the Black and White Opera Soirée
The National Arts Centre (NAC) and Opera Lyra Ottawa (OLO) are proud of their longstanding artistic relationship. In 1998, they became fundraising partners through the creation of the Black and White Opera Soirée. In its heyday, the annual fundraiser was a great source of financial support.
But since the economic downturn, proceeds have dropped significantly. Both organizations were not getting the necessary net results, given the enormous effort and staff resources being devoted to the event. For this reason, the two organizations have decided to retire the event and focus their fundraising efforts in more productive areas.
The NAC would like to thank the artists, staff, volunteers, sponsors and members of the public who have supported this annual event over more than a decade. (For more information, please find the complete press release)
Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala
Is it your dream to attend the Academy Awards or the Kennedy Center Honors, or to rub shoulders with Canada’s brightest stars? If so, then the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala is an event you cannot miss! Held each spring, this annual celebration of Canada’s greatest artists in the fields of theatre, dance, classical music, opera, popular music, film and broadcasting is the cornerstone event of the NAC Creators Trust.
The Governor General’s Performing Arts Award Gala weekend pays tribute to the achievements of our most creative performing artists over a lifetime of performance at this star-studded gala. The gala evening of live performance is an opportunity for many of Canada’s favourite performers to pay tribute to the Canadian icons being honoured for lifetime achievement. The recipients are celebrated in the presence of the Governor General of Canada.
The evening includes a star-studded Gala performance by leading Canadian and international artists, along with a special performance by the participants of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Mentorship Program. Inaugurated in 2008 with the purpose of creating an “artist to artist” program in the performing arts, it gives the next generation of Canadian artists rare exposure to the national icons who have blazed the way ahead. Past participants have included Veronica Tennant, Crystal Pite, Oliver Jones and Dione Taylor.
As a young man, Oliver Jones had the good fortune to find a trusted mentor and inspiration in jazz virtuoso Oscar Peterson. The former childhood neighbours in Montreal developed a life-long friendship and bond.Learn More
