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
Symphonie de cœurs 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 Théâtre du Nouveau Monde
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Nov 14 - Dec 13, 2023 Théâtre du Nouveau Monde (Montreal)
    Project page
  2. Presented by Brussels Major Events
    Jusqu’à ce qu’on meure Transthéâtre
    Nov 24 - Dec 31, 2023 Brussels, Belgium
    Project page
  3. Presented by Canadian Stage
    Assembly Hall Kidd Pivot
    Dec 6 - Dec 9, 2023 Bluma Appel Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  4. Presented by Le Diamant
    Assembly Hall Kidd Pivot
    Dec 14 - Dec 16, 2023 Le Diamant (Québec)
    Project page
  5. Presented by Dansnät Sweden
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Jan 5 2024 Winpos arena (Umeå, Sweden)
    Project page
  6. Presented by Norrlandsoperan
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Jan 7 2024 Swooch arena (Lycksele, Sweden)
    Project page
  7. Presented by Dansens Hus
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Jan 9 2024 Husby ice rink (Stockholm, Sweden)
    Project page
  8. Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Jan 11 2024 Kungsbacka Ishall (Kungsbacka, Sweden)
    Project page
  9. Presented by Nyköping Arena
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Jan 13 2024 Rosvalla Lilla ice hall (Nyköping, Sweden)
    Project page
  10. Presented by Gävle Theatre
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Jan 14 2024 Monitor ERP Arena (Gävle, Sweden)
    Project page
  11. Presented by the Grand Theatre
    The Invisible - Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare Catalyst Theatre
    Jan 16 - Feb 3, 2024 Spriet Stage (London)
    Project page
  12. Presented by The Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts and One Yellow Rabbit
    The Storyville Mosquito Kid Koala
    Jan 17 - Jan 19, 2024 Bella Concert Hall, Mount Royal University (Calgary)
    Project page
  13. Presented by Odyscène
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Jan 18 2024 Théâtre Lionel-Groulx (Sainte-Thérèse)
    Project page
  14. Presented by Albert-Rrousseau Hall
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Jan 23 2024 Albert-Rrousseau Hall (Québec)
    Project page
  15. Presented by Centre des arts de Shawinigan
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Jan 26 2024 Philippe-Filion du Centre des arts (Shawinigan)
    Project page
  16. Presented by SPEC du Haut-Richelieu
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Feb 3 2024 Théâtre des Deux Rives (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu)
    Project page
  17. Presented by Diffusion Saguenay
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Feb 8 2024 Théâtre C (Chicoutimmi)
    Project page
  18. Presented by Le Palace de Granby
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Feb 11 2024 Le Palace de Granby (Granby)
    Project page
  19. Presented by Centre culturel de l'Université de Sherbrooke
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Feb 13 2024 Salle Maurice-O'Bready (Sherbrooke)
    Project page
  20. Presented by Canadian Stage
    Universal Child Care Quote Unquote Collective
    Feb 13 - Feb 25, 2024 Berkeley Street Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  21. Presented by Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Feb 18 2024 Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault (Saint-Jérôme)
    Project page
  22. Presented by Société de développement culturel de Terrebonne (SODECT)
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Feb 20 2024 Salle Desjardins (Terrebonne)
    Project page
  23. Presented by Montréal en lumiére
    The Storyville Mosquito Kid Koala
    Feb 29 - Mar 1, 2024 Cinquième Salle, Place des Arts (Montreal)
    Project page
  24. Presented by Le Carré 150
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Mar 13 2024 Salle Les-frères-Lemaire (Victoriaville)
    Project page
  25. Presented by Lincoln Center
    The Storyville Mosquito Kid Koala
    Mar 14 - Mar 15, 2024 Alice Tully Hall (New York)
    Project page
  26. Rhapsodie Sylvain Émard Danse
    Mar 15 2024 Culture Trois-Rivières (Trois-Rivières)
    Project page
  27. Presented by Centre culturel Desjardins
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Mar 16 2024 Centre culturel Desjardins (Joliette)
    Project page
  28. Presented by Théâtre Hector-Charland
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Mar 19 2024 Théâtre Hector-Charland (L'Assomption)
    Project page
  29. Rhapsodie Sylvain Émard Danse
    Mar 20 2024 Le Carré 150 (Victoriaville)
    Project page
  30. Rhapsodie Sylvain Émard Danse
    Mar 22 2024 Théâtre des Deux-Rives (St-Jean-sur-le-Richelieu)
    Project page
  31. Rhapsodie Sylvain Émard Danse
    Mar 28 2024 Théâtre Hector-Charland (L'Assomption)
    Project page
  32. Rhapsodie Sylvain Émard Danse
    Apr 2 2024 Centre Culturel de Sherbrooke (Sherbrooke)
    Project page
  33. Rhapsodie Sylvain Émard Danse
    Apr 4 2024 Théâtre des Muses (Laval)
    Project page
  34. Presented by Canadian Stage
    Searching for Eastman wind in the leaves collective
    Apr 4 - Apr 7, 2024 Berkeley Street Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  35. Presented by Danse Danse
    Symphonie de cœurs RD Créations
    Apr 4 - Apr 6, 2024 Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts (Montreal)
    Project page
  36. Presented by [co]motion
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Apr 5 2024 Salle André-Mathieu (Laval)
    Project page
  37. Presented by Théâtre de la Ville
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Apr 10 2024 Salle Pratt & Whitney Canada (Longueuil)
    Project page
  38. Rhapsodie Sylvain Émard Danse
    Apr 16 2024 Centre des arts de Baie Comeau (Baie-Comeau)
    Project page
  39. Presented by Danse Danse
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Apr 16 - Apr 21, 2024 Mont-Royal Arena (Montreal)
    Project page
  40. Presented by Théâtre La Licorne
    La traversée du siècle A collaboration with seven Montreal theatres
    Apr 20 2024 Théâtre La Licorne
    Project page
  41. Presented by Culture 3R
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Apr 23 - Apr 24, 2024 J.-Antonio-Thompson (Trois-Rivières)
    Project page
  42. Rhapsodie Sylvain Émard Danse
    Apr 25 2024 Théâtre de la Ville (Longueuil)
    Project page
  43. Presented by Salle Odyssée
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Apr 26 - Apr 27, 2024 Salle Odyssée (Gatineau)
    Project page
  44. Presented by Maison des arts Desjardins Drummondville
    Projet Polytechnique Porte Parole
    Apr 30 2024 Maison des arts Desjardins Drummondville
    Project page
  45. Presented by Shakespeare International Festival
    Jusqu’à ce qu’on meure Transthéâtre
    May 16 - May 26, 2024 Craiova, Romania
    Project page
  46. Presented by Théâtre de Quat’Sous
    La traversée du siècle A collaboration with seven Montreal theatres
    May 25 2024 Théâtre de Quat’Sous
    Project page
  47. Presented by NAC Dance
    Symphonie de cœurs RD Créations
    May 30 2024 Southam Hall (Ottawa)
    Project page
  48. Presented by Théâtre du Rideau Vert
    La traversée du siècle A collaboration with seven Montreal theatres
    Jun 8 2024 Théâtre du Rideau Vert
    Project page
  49. Presented by the Canadian Opera Company
    Aportia Chryptych: A Black Opera for Portia White Canadian Opera Company
    Jun 14 - Jun 16, 2024 Canadian Opera Company Theatre (Toronto)
    Project page
  50. Presented by Théâtre Duceppe
    La traversée du siècle A collaboration with seven Montreal theatres
    Jun 15 2024 Théâtre Duceppe
    Project page
  51. Presented by FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
    Kimiko’s Pearl Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts
    Jun 22 - Jun 23, 2024 Partridge Hall (St. Catharines)
    Project page
  52. Presented by Théâtre du Nouveau Monde
    La traversée du siècle A collaboration with seven Montreal theatres
    Jun 29 2024 Théâtre du Nouveau Monde
    Project page
  53. Presented by La Strada
    Jusqu’à ce qu’on meure Transthéâtre
    Jul 30 - Aug 4, 2024 Graz, Austria
    Project page
  54. Presented by Cultura Nova
    Jusqu’à ce qu’on meure Transthéâtre
    Aug 24 - Aug 31, 2024 Heerlen, Netherlands
    Project page
View all