This is part three in our week-long series The Future of Ottawa (arts and culture edition). In this guest column, Rosemary Thompson, the director of communications at the National Arts Centre, describes the planned renovations at the NAC. Twitter users: use hashtag #futott if you want to discuss this series on Twitter. (Note: For details on the redevelopment of Arts Court, see part 1 and part 2 of our previous two-part look of this latter project).
On Canada Day in 2017, all of Ottawa is invited to take part in the grand opening of the National Arts Centre. On that day, Canadians will be able to enter the building from Elgin Street, into a glittering glass entrance and atrium that will embrace one of the most beautiful views of our city.
The NAC is very grateful to the Government of Canada for the historic re-investment of $110.5 Million which is making this wonderful renovation possible. The new addition to the NAC, designed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects from Toronto, will include a new atrium entrance, public spaces, event, performance and education space and an expanded Panorama Room with a great view of the Rideau Canal.
We are thrilled to be part of the renaissance in the City of Ottawa coinciding with Canada’s 150th anniversary. The NAC will be closely situated to the new Light Rail Transit system, and some great re-development projects near Confederation Square.
The NAC recently celebrated its 45th Anniversary, conceived as a centennial project, the institution is very happy to be able to modernize and present a new, transparent, welcoming addition that will finally embrace the capital.
The architects will use the existing footprint of the building, creating the glass extension on the underutilized NAC terraces that face the War Memorial and the Rideau Canal, which have a spectacular view of the nation’s capital. The original design and rigourous geometry of the building, designed by Canadian architect Fred Lebensold, will be respected and enhance by the Diamond and Schmitt expansion.
The re-development speaks to the importance of the performing arts in Canadian society. The NAC believes the transparent, warm and inviting expansion will attract more people to an already beloved institution. More than 1.2 million Canadians participate in events at the NAC every year, and we stage 1,300 performances in Music, Dance, Classical Music, Contemporary Music and Theatre.
Rosemary Thompson is the director of communications at the National Arts Centre and a former correspondent for CTV and CBC.
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