National Creation Fund

Dream. Connect. Create.

We fund risk

The National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund makes investments of up to 2 million dollars a year in the development of 9 to 11 compelling new creations in the performing arts. Fuelled entirely by donors, the Fund offers Canadian artists room to realize creative dreams.

The Fund provides the necessary time, space and resources to make inspiring and impactful work.  We invest in creation.

"... it is really helping the Ottawa-based National Arts Centre live up to that “national” in its name."  

J. Kelly Nestruck, The Globe and Mail

Projects must be led by Canadian creators
and meet the following criteria:

  • Are artistically ambitious and compelling
  • Have a strong artistic team and committed producing and presenting partners
  • Are likely to have a national or international impact
Learn about our investment process

Discover our investments

Universal Child Care Quote Unquote Collective
Qaumma Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory and Vinnie Karetak
Raven Mother Dancers of Damelahamid
The Breathing Hole / Aglu ᐊᒡᓗ NAC English Theatre and NAC Indigenous Theatre
Symphony of hearts RD Créations
Aportia Chryptych: A Black Opera for Portia White Canadian Opera Company
asses.masses Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim
Identity: A Song Cycle Against the Grain Theatre
Human Measure Cassils
Antigone Sick + Twisted Theatre, in partnership with AA Battery and The Mariachi Ghost
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Our Season

  1. Presented by Stratford Festival
    Salesman in China Stratford Festival
    Aug 3 - Oct 26, 2024 Avon Theatre, Stratford
    Project page
  2. Presented by Théâtre Prospero
    Surveillée et punie Théâtre Prospero
    Sep 10 - Sep 21, 2024 Théâtre Prospero (Montréal)
    Project page
  3. Presented by Catalyst Theatre
    The Invisible - Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare Catalyst Theatre
    Sep 26 - Oct 5, 2024 Victoria School of the Arts - Eva O. Theatre (Edmonton)
    Project page
  4. Presented by The Cultch
    Raven Mother Dancers of Damelahamid
    Oct 9 - Oct 12, 2024 The Historic Theatre (Vancouver)
    Project page
  5. Presented by Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre
    The Invisible - Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare Catalyst Theatre
    Oct 11 2024 Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre (Vernon)
    Project page
  6. Presented by Agora de la danse
    Rhino Out Innerspace
    Oct 23 - Oct 26, 2024 Édifice Wilder (Montréal)
    Project page
  7. Presented by Persephone Theatre
    The Invisible - Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare Catalyst Theatre
    Oct 23 - Nov 3, 2024 Remai Arts Centre (Saskatoon)
    Project page
  8. Presented by Texas Performing Arts
    The Storyville Mosquito Kid Koala
    Nov 2 2024 McCullough Theatre (Austin)
    Project page
  9. Presented by Darke Hall Presents
    The Invisible - Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare Catalyst Theatre
    Nov 7 - Nov 10, 2024 Darke Hall (Regina)
    Project page
  10. Presented by BAM's Next Wave 2024
    FRONTERA Animals of Distinction
    Nov 8 - Nov 9, 2024 Howard Gilman Opera House (New York City)
    Project page
  11. Presented by Valspec
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Nov 9 2024 Aréna Salaberry (Salaberry‐de‐Valleyfield)
    Project page
  12. Presented by CAM en tournée
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Nov 10 2024 Aréna Saint-Michel (Montréal)
    Project page
  13. Presented by Le Carré 150
    Fables Compagnie Virginie Brunelle
    Nov 13 2024 Salle Les-frères-Lemaire (Victoriaville)
    Project page
  14. Presented by CINARS
    Fables Compagnie Virginie Brunelle
    Nov 14 2024 Centre Pierre-Péladeau — Salle Pierre-Mercure (Montréal)
    Project page
  15. Presented by NAC French Theatre
    Surveillée et punie Théâtre Prospero
    Nov 14 - Nov 16, 2024 Azrieli Studio
    Project page
  16. Presented by Centre de Création Diffusion de Gaspé
    Fables Compagnie Virginie Brunelle
    Nov 16 2024 Centre de Création Diffusion de Gaspé
    Project page
  17. Presented by Capas
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Nov 16 2024 Aréna Étienne-Desmarteaux (Montréal)
    Project page
  18. Presented by Alkantara Festival
    Nigamon/Tunai ONISHKA
    Nov 16 - Nov 17, 2024 Lisbon (Portugal)
    Project page
  19. Presented by Centre culturel de l’Université de Sherbrooke
    Fables Compagnie Virginie Brunelle
    Nov 19 2024 Salle Maurice-O'Bready (Sherbrooke)
    Project page
  20. Presented by NAC Indigenous Theatre
    Raven Mother Dancers of Damelahamid
    Nov 21 - Nov 22, 2024 Azrieli Studio, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  21. Presented by Festival de Otoño
    Nigamon/Tunai ONISHKA
    Nov 21 2024 Teatros del Canal (Madrid)
    Project page
  22. Presented by Penn Live Arts
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Dec 13 - Dec 14, 2024 Penn Ice Rink (Philadelphia)
    Project page
  23. Presented by NAC Indigenous Theatre
    Qaumma Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory and Vinnie Karetak
    Jan 15 - Jan 17, 2025 Azrieli Studio, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  24. Presented by NAC English Theatre
    Salesman in China Stratford Festival
    Jan 16 - Jan 25, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  25. Presented by Les Plateaux Sauvages
    Surveillée et punie Théâtre Prospero
    Jan 16 - Jan 18, 2025 Les Plateaux Sauvages (Paris)
    Project page
  26. Presented by McCarter Theatre Centre
    Noli Timere Rebecca Lazier
    Feb 7 - Feb 8, 2025 Berlind Theatre (Princeton, NJ)
    Project page
  27. Presented by Théâtre du Trident
    Surveillée et punie Théâtre Prospero
    Feb 13 2025 Théâtre du Trident (Québec)
    Project page
  28. Presented by the University Musical Society
    asses.masses Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim
    Feb 15 - Feb 16, 2025 Stamps Auditorium, Walgreen Drama Center (Ann Arbor)
    Project page
  29. Presented by The Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Feb 21 - Feb 22, 2025 Magness Arena (Denver)
    Project page
  30. Presented by NAC Dance
    Fables Compagnie Virginie Brunelle
    Feb 26 - Feb 27, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  31. Presented by Espace GO
    Créatures L'eau du bain
    Mar 2 - Mar 22, 2025 Espace GO
    Project page
  32. Presented by Danse House with Canada Ice Dance Theatre
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Mar 20 - Mar 23, 2025 Kerrisdale Cyclone Taylor Arena (Vancouver)
    Project page
  33. Presented by NAC Dance
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Mar 27 - Mar 29, 2025 Aréna Stade-Pierre-Lafontaine (Gatineau)
    Project page
  34. Presented by Canadian Stage
    Mahabharata Why Not Theatre
    Apr 8 - Apr 20, 2025 Bluma Appel Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  35. Presented by HTP Mainstage Dance
    Scott Joplin's Treemonisha Volcano Theatre
    May 2 - May 4, 2025 Harris Theater (Chicago)
    Project page
  36. Presented by NAC English Theatre
    Mahabharata Why Not Theatre
    May 13 - May 24, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  37. Presented by NAC French Theatre
    The Rise of the BlingBling – Le diptyque Empire Panique
    May 31 - Jun 1, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  38. Presented by NAC Indigenous Theatre
    Marguerite: le feu Productions Onishka
    Jun 12 - Jun 13, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
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