The National Arts Centre - Ottawa Attractions

North America's most diversified complex, the National Arts Centre (NAC) is located in the heart of downtown Ottawa at 53 Elgin Street (main entrance faces the Rideau Canal at the junction of Elgin and Queen Streets). It hosts hundreds of Canadian and international musical, theatrical, dance and variety performances each year and offers public parking and fine dining year-round. The following will give you a brief introduction to many of the services the NAC offers. For more information please call (613) 947-7000.

Choose from these Attractions:

Things You Should Know

NAC Policy concerning cameras and recording equipment:
Photographic and recording equipment is strictly prohibited inside the hall without prior written permission from the NAC; infringement of this rule can lead to immediate suspension of admission privileges.
NAC Latecomers policy:
Latecomers will be permitted to reach their seats only during a suitable pause in the programme.
Special Services
For wheelchair, backrests, opera glasses, booster seats and other special services, ask for Patron Services, (613) 947-7000, ext. 212.
Services for hearing impaired
Since 1983, the NAC has been providing patrons with impaired disabilities, FM receivers including several accessories such as a headset for use without a hearing aid, a teleloop and a Cochlea Implant Patch Cord. There is no charge for this service, however, patrons are asked to leave a piece of identification. The device can be borrowed from the Communication Centre, adjacent to the Theatre Checkroom.
Emergency Calls
Patrons can be reached during performances. Leave the Foyer phone number, (613) 947-7000 ext. 682, and seat location with anyone who may need to call.
Checkroom Service
From October to May, we provide a checkroom service from our two checkrooms located in Southam Hall and Theatre foyers.
Guided Tours
Private and group tours may be arranged by calling Patron Services at (613) 947-7000 ext. 212.
Assistance to the disabled
The NAC is a barrier-free environment accessible to the disabled.
Patron feedback
During your visit to the National Arts Centre if there is something that hinders your enjoyment, please ask an usher to refer you to the Patron Services Supervisor on duty.
Reception Centre
The Reception Centre is opened until the end of every performance to answer your questions or provide services such as wheelchair assistance, arrange for taxi service, para-transpo service, etc.

Box Office

Location:
Located just inside the entrance (Closest to The Canal) to the NAC.

Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 to 9:00
Sunday and Holidays: 12:00 until 15 minutes after curtain time.

Methods of Payment:
Cash, American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Debit Cards

Student Prices:
A limited number of half-price student tickets are available in person only at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. One ticket per student ID subject to ticket availability.

NAC Seating
Seating Info:
Performances in The Studio are all General Admission.
Opera Seating Plan Theatre Seating Plan Accessibility

Wheelchair & Disabled Seating:
The NAC is fully accessible.

Special tickets are available for those patrons in wheelchairs. If a customer remains in his/her wheelchair for a performance, the ticket price will be that of the least expensive ticket in the hall. If a wheelchair-bound patron wishes to transfer from the wheelchair to an actual seat, they will be sold a specific wheelchair location at the regular price. The customer must also advise House Management in advance that he/she will require special assistance from the ushers on the night of the show.

All accessible seating is available through your local Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone or Ticket Centre.

Hearing Devices:
None

Infant Policy: "Babes in Arms" tickets are available for children under two years of age for "children" shows only! These tickets have no seat location indicated on them thereby permit a child to sit on a parent's lap. "Babes in Arms" tickets are the price of the lowest ticket sold in the hall for a particular event.
If a child is using a seat, he or she will need a regular ticket.
For events other than childrens' shows, ALL patrons will need a regular ticket.

Getting to the NAC:

Directions:
By Car: Take The Queensway east or west bound. Exit at Nicholas, turn left onto Laurier, right onto Elgin. For more maps of Ottawa please click here

Local Public Transit:
Call OC Transpo information line at (613) 741-4390.

Parking

The underground parking entrances are located on Elgin (at corner of Slater) and on Albert Street.

Parking Hours:
Monday to Friday: Open 24 hrs.

Parking Rates:
From 6:00 to 19:30 : $3.00 per half hour ($13.00 maximum) ($16.00 for 24 hours)
From 16:00 to 02:00: $3.00 per 30 minutes with a maximum of $10.00
Monthly parking permits are available. Call 947-7000 ext. 488 for info

Le Cafe Restaurant

The NAC has it's own restaurant - Le Cafe, (613) 594-5127.
There are also a number of restaurants and hotels within a short walking distance of The NAC.

Le Cafe Winter Hours:
Monday to Friday: 12:00 to 15:00 & 17:30 to 20:30
Saturday: 17:30 to 20:30

Le Cafe Summer Hours:
Monday to Friday: Noon to Midnight
Saturday: Noon to 9pm

General Information
E-Mail: info@nac-cna.ca

Mailing Address:
National Arts Centre
P.O. Box 1534, Stn B
Ottawa Ontario
K1P 5W1

Phone Numbers:
General: (613) 947-7000
Box Office: Ext 280
Group Sales: Ext 280
Parking: Ext 488
Lost And Found: Ext 666
On Stage Tonight Line and Rush Seats: English: ext. 565; French: ext. 569
NAC Subscription: (613) 594-9400
Le Cafe: (613) 594-5127

History of the NAC

Conceived as the major project of the Federal Government as part of the Centennial celebrations, the National Arts Centre was opened to the public on June 2, 1969. Focusing on artistic excellence, diversity, and youth, the National Arts Centre has played an important role in the development of almost all Canadian artists.
Situated in the heart of the nation's capital across from Confederation Square and Parliament Hill, the Centre is among the largest performing arts complex in Canada. The only multidisciplinary, bilingual performing arts centre in North America, the NAC features one of the largest stages on the continent.
The National Arts Centre is home to the internationally acclaimed 46-member National Arts Centre Orchestra.
The Centre also plays host to the Canada Dance Festival. In addition, the NAC is also an active partner in numerous regional and local festivals.
The current year funding from the federal government (including payment-in-lieu of taxes) supports approximately 50% of the Centre's 1999-2000 budget of $45 million. The balance is covered by earned revenue which includes ticket sales on NAC performances, net revenues on commercial attractions as well as revenues from restaurant and catering operations, garage parking, performance hall rentals and leases and revenues generated by the Centre's own fundraising activities.
the NAC is one of the country's most active co-producers of English and French Theatre and dance. the NAC has worked with PPS Danse, The Banff Centre for the Arts, Ballet British Columbia, Theâtre du Nouveau-Monde, Theâtre du Rideau vert, Cercle Molière Manitoba Theatre Company, Neptune Theatre, and Citadel Theatre to name only but a few.

Mandate

The National Arts Centre Corporation was established by an Act of the Parliament of Canada in 1966. The National Arts Centre (NAC) opened its doors in 1969. The NAC's mandate is to play a leadership role in fostering artistic excellence in all of the performing arts disciplines. Specifically, it is charged with the following responsibilities:

To operate and maintain the National Arts Centre;
To develop the performing arts in the National Capital Region;
To assist the Canada Council in the development of the performing arts elsewhere in Canada.

Mission

To develop and promote the performing arts by:

Partnering with the National Capital Region, regional and national community and artists
Seeking out excellence in the arts of the stage
Fostering new talent
Making the NAC a world-class gathering place

See a Virtual Tour

The hypertext link(s) below will connect you to a site(s) outside of ottawakiosk.com. These sites are not part of ottawakiosk.com. ottawakiosk.com has no control over their content or availability.

Visit the Official Web Site