The National Arts Centre is celebrating its 45th anniversary with a new brand identity.
The NAC is looking to undergo a brand change, which will include many new projects in the next five years in preparation for its 50th birthday.
The NAC was created in 1969 to be Canada’s largest performing arts centre, supporting arts from across the country.
“We’ve had the same brand for 45 years,” says Rosemary Thompson, director of communications for the NAC. “We’ve never changed it.”
Thompson says it was time to reflect on how the NAC has grown, not only in Ottawa but within the whole country.
The new branding will include more than physical changes, she says. New works and an emphasis on Canadian works will be a part of the new brand.
Thompson says the NAC is interested is making changes to the building on Elgin Street, but this is something that is in the preliminary stages.
The community will begin to see changes over the next few months, but Thompson says these are just stepping stones towards NAC’s 50th birthday in 2019.
Thompson says notable projects include the Ontario Scene Festival in 2015, showcasing 500 artists from all over Ontario. And in 2019, the NAC will celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday with a festival of Canadian artists throughout the year.
For Christopher Deacon, managing director of the NAC orchestra, heading towards 50 years means maintaining the founding vision of artistic excellence, as well as bringing new creations to the forefront of the organization.
“I hope anyone coming to the performances and the orchestra will notice there’s new work and there’s a sense of adventure around the programming.”
Deacon has been a part of the growing organization for 26 years, holding various positions.
He says the past few years have shown a shift towards developing not only local, but also international performances. Deacon hopes this continues over the next few years.
An emphasis on Canadian content is also in the NAC future.
Kathryn Prince, a professor in the department of theatre at the University of Ottawa, says she is happy with the opportunities the NAC gives to Canadian artists, especially the connections with Canada’s north and Aboriginals.
“It’s an important part of our identity as Canadians,” she says.
Prince is also a theatre historian. She says compared to English traditions, Canadian theatre is still quite young.
“Fifty years means we’re still babies,” she says.