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 Espace Go
    Nigamon/Tunai ONISHKA
    May 14 - May 30, 2024 Espace Go (Montreal)
  2. Presented by Shakespeare International Festival
    Jusqu’à ce qu’on meure Transthéâtre
    May 16 - May 26, 2024 Craiova, Romania
    Project page
  3. Presented by Mayfest
    asses.masses Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim
    May 18 - May 19, 2024 Watershed (Bristol)
    Project page
  4. 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
  5. Presented by Festival TransAmériques
    asses.masses Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim
    May 25 2024 Centaur Theatre (Montreal)
    Project page
  6. Presented by Festival TransAmériques
    Surveillée et punie Théâtre Prospero
    May 30 - Jun 1, 2024 Théâtre Prospero
    Project page
  7. Presented by NAC Dance
    Symphony of hearts RD Créations
    May 30 2024 Southam Hall (Ottawa)
    Project page
  8. Presented by Festival TransAmériques
    Survival Technologies PME-ART
    May 30 - Jun 3, 2024 Édifice Wilder - Espace Bleu (Montreal)
    Project page
  9. Presented by Festival TransAmériques
    asses.masses Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim
    Jun 1 2024 Centaur Theatre (Montreal)
    Project page
  10. Presented by Festival TransAmériques
    ODE Catherine Gaudet
    Jun 1 - Jun 4, 2024 Theatre Jean Duceppe (Montreal)
    Project page
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. Presented by Théâtre Duceppe
    La traversée du siècle A collaboration with seven Montreal theatres
    Jun 15 2024 Théâtre Duceppe
    Project page
  14. Presented by the Inteatro Festival
    asses.masses Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim
    Jun 18 - Jun 20, 2024 Teatro delle Muse (Ancona)
    Project page
  15. 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
  16. Presented by the Montreal International Jazz Festival
    The Storyville Mosquito Kid Koala
    Jun 27 - Jun 29, 2024 Cinquième Salle (Montréal)
    Project page
  17. 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
  18. Presented by La Strada
    Jusqu’à ce qu’on meure Transthéâtre
    Jul 30 - Aug 4, 2024 Graz, Austria
    Project page
  19. Presented by Stratford Festival
    Salesman in China Stratford Festival
    Aug 3 - Oct 26, 2024 Avon Theatre, Stratford
    Project page
  20. Presented by Ottawa Chamberfest
    What Brings You In Leslie Ting
    Aug 5 2024 Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (Ottawa)
    Project page
  21. Presented by SFJAZZ
    The Storyville Mosquito Kid Koala
    Aug 8 - Aug 11, 2024 Miner Auditorium (San Francisco)
    Project page
  22. Presented by Edinburgh International Festival
    Nigamon/Tunai ONISHKA
    Aug 15 - Aug 18, 2024 The Studio (Edinburgh)
  23. Presented by the Edinburgh International Festival
    Assembly Hall Kidd Pivot
    Aug 22 - Aug 24, 2024 Festival Theatre (Edinburgh)
    Project page
  24. Presented by Cultura Nova
    Jusqu’à ce qu’on meure Transthéâtre
    Aug 24 - Aug 31, 2024 Heerlen, Netherlands
    Project page
  25. Presented by NAC French Theatre
    La traversée du siècle A collaboration with seven Montreal theatres
    Sep 7 2024 Babs Asper Theatre
    Project page
  26. Presented by Persephone Theatre
    The Invisible - Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare Catalyst Theatre
    Oct 23 - Nov 3, 2024 Remai Arts Centre (Saskatoon)
    Project page
  27. Presented by NAC French Theatre
    Surveillée et punie Théâtre Prospero
    Nov 14 - Nov 16, 2024 Azrieli Studio
    Project page
  28. Presented by NAC Indigenous Theatre
    Raven Mother Dancers of Damelahamid
    Nov 21 - Nov 22, 2024 Azrieli Studio, NAC (Ottawa)
  29. Presented by NAC Indigenous Theatre
    Qaumma Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory and Vinnie Karetak
    Jan 15 - Jan 17, 2025 Azrieli Studio, NAC (Ottawa)
  30. Presented by NAC English Theatre
    Salesman in China Stratford Festival
    Jan 16 - Jan 25, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  31. Presented by NAC Dance
    Fables Compagnie Virginie Brunelle
    Feb 26 - Feb 27, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  32. Presented by NAC Dance
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Mar 27 - Mar 29, 2025 Aréna Stade-Pierre-Lafontaine (Gatineau)
    Project page
  33. Presented by NAC English Theatre
    Mahabharata Why Not Theatre
    May 13 - May 24, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
    Project page
  34. 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
  35. Presented by NAC Indigenous Theatre
    Marguerite: le feu Productions Onishka
    Jun 12 - Jun 13, 2025 Babs Asper Theatre, NAC (Ottawa)
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