NAC Terms of Service

Booking Requests, Payments & Policies

Online Reservations

If you wish to attend an NAC event (in-person and/or virtual), you must complete the online registration form.

To make a reservation, please visit the Arts Alive website and register for the event you wish to attend. Requests must be received prior to the indicated event period deadline. Once we receive your reservation request, we will follow up by email to confirm details. We will then send you an invoice confirming the number of seats, performance date and time, amount payable.

Payment Process

Immediately upon receiving your invoice, please check that it is accurate. The deadline by which you must submit payment is three weeks prior to the performance. 

We accept one payment per invoice* for the total amount indicated, payable by credit card (American Express, VISA, MasterCard), money order or cheque.

*Please note that we cannot accept multiple payments for one invoice, nor can we accept one cheque for multiple invoices. Cheques should be made payable to the National Arts Centre.

Out of respect for groups on the waiting list, please understand that the NAC reserves the right to cancel any orders or release any tickets that have not been paid by the payment deadline.

Ticket Policy

One free adult chaperone ticket will be issued for every 15 student admissions purchased. Special Needs Assistants are admitted free of charge. Any additional chaperones are allowed at the discretion of the National Arts Centre and are charged the ticket price (HST included).  

Cancellation / Refund Policy

All sales are final. Cancellations of tickets will not be accepted after the payment deadline indicated on your invoice. You will be liable for full payment. 

PLEASE NOTE: Tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged unless a performance is cancelled by the NAC or if school buses are cancelled by the school board due to inclement weather. Please ensure that numbers are correct before making the final payment. 

The NAC is unable to refund or resell unused tickets due to student absences on the day of the performance.

Financial Assistance

The NAC can help cover the cost of artist fees for arts education activities this season, as our funds permit, for schools requiring financial assistance. To submit a request for financial assistance, please follow the instructions in our online registration form.

Planning your visit

School buses

Arriving by bus, students may be dropped off at the Rideau Canal side of the NAC (accessed from Freiman Lane off Elgin Street). Buses cannot park onsite at the NAC; please see here for more information about parking buses downtown. An NAC representative will greet your group upon arrival and will direct you to the performance hall.

Public transit

The NAC is only a 5-to-10-minute walk from major bus interchanges, including the Mackenzie King and Rideau Street stations. For bus schedules and maps please refer to your bus website.

NAC underground parking

Tickets

Please note student matinee performances general seating events and physical and/or digital tickets are not issued. An NAC representative will be onsite on the day of the performance to confirm your attendance.

Accessibility

All performance halls are wheelchair accessible and equipped with an Assistive Listening System; please ensure you inform us of any accessibility requirements your group has when placing your reservation request.

Universal Washrooms

The NAC has designated universal (gender neutral) washrooms on the main floor of the Southam foyer and the second level of the Studio foyer.

Lunch

School groups are permitted to eat lunch or snacks on site in the NAC’s public spaces. If you would like to purchase lunch or snacks, the NAC is near the Rideau Centre, Elgin Street, Sparks Street and the Byward Market. 

General

Teachers and/or supervisors must remain with their students at all times. Students are solely responsible for their personal belongings.

Please be advised that some NAC presentations may deal with mature themes and/or may contain coarse language, violence, sexuality or nudity. Grade level recommendations have been made with this in mind.

Parental Consent

Each student under the age of a majority must have parent/legal guardian consent prior to attending the event.

By completing this application form, you understand and agree to the information noted above.

Etiquette

You are required to review the following guidelines with your students to ensure a positive event for all.

Arrive early

Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the performance to allow NAC staff to scan tickets.

Be respectful!

• Dress code: Whatever your school requires you to wear is appropriate for a performance.
• No food or drink is permitted in the performance hall.
• Please limit leaving/returning during the performance – it can be disruptive for both the audience and the performers.
• Please limit talking during the performance – save your thoughts to share at intermission or after the performance.
• No cell phones, cameras or other mobile devices – no texting or recording of any kind is allowed in the performance hall. Turn your phone to airplane mode or better yet, turn it right off.

Enjoy!

Performers on stage rely on the audience for the energy to perform – so have fun and enjoy the experience! Everyone who views a performance will experience it in a different way. It is important to respect this process of exploration in yourselves and those around you.

For information on specific show content, please contact the NAC Arts Alive team at education@nac-cna.ca.