“The National Arts Centre gave me my start. It’s where I first sat in an audience, and first acted on a stage. The NAC develops the careers of diverse and emerging artists and makes the dreams of Canadian creators come true. I am so honoured to be part of The Next Act.”
Sandra Oh, Honorary Chair, The Next Act campaign
On April 29, 2023, the National Arts Centre Foundation announced The Next Act, a bold new campaign to raise $100 million in support of the performing arts in Canada.
By contributing to The Next Act, you will be investing in the creation of ambitious new works, enabling them to triumph on Canadian and international stages. You will be elevating the voices and stories of Indigenous artists from across the land. You’ll help further the careers of arts professionals, especially those from equity-seeking groups. And you will help young people discover the wonder of the performing arts.
Together with arts organizations across Canada and donors like you, we can shape a more equitable, diverse and inclusive future for the performing arts in Canada.
More about The Next Act
Why is the NAC Foundation doing a campaign? Why now?
The arts and culture sector was among the hardest hit by the pandemic. The National Arts Centre is championing the recovery and renewal of the performing arts sector. The NAC Foundation is raising funds through a comprehensive fundraising campaign to enable the NAC to: invest in ambitious new works so they can triumph on Canadian and international stages; elevate the voices and stories of Indigenous artists from across the land; further the careers of arts professionals, especially those from equity-seeking groups; collaborate with arts organizations from across the country; and make it possible for children and youth to discover the wonder of the performing arts.
What is the campaign goal?
The campaign goal is to raise $100 million in philanthropic support by 2028.
How did you arrive at that number?
The National Arts Centre Foundation set the $100 million fundraising goal in consultation with the NAC Board of Trustees, the NAC Foundation Board of Directors, and the executive leadership at the NAC.
How much has the NAC Foundation raised so far?
As of April 2023, generous donors have made commitments to the National Arts Centre Foundation totaling more than $38 million. This represents 38% of our goal.
The NAC is a Crown Corporation and receives support from the federal government. Why is a campaign necessary?
Much like the funding model for Canada’s hospitals and universities, which receive significant government support and have among the most ambitious and successful fundraising campaigns in the country, the not-for-profit arts sector relies on both public and private funding to achieve their missions.
The National Arts Centre Foundation is a separate legal entity from the NAC, and was founded in 2000 to raise the additional funds necessary to support the NAC's work in performance, creation and learning across Canada. The NAC Foundation has since raised more than $170 million to enrich the lives of Canadians through the performing arts and champion our country’s artists, students, and educators.
Through The Next Act campaign, the NAC Foundation will raise transformational funding needed to support the NAC’s bold vision for a vibrant, renewed performing arts ecosystem that includes a wider spectrum of stories, cultures and artists; greater access and opportunities for engagement with the performing arts for all; and a strong, adaptable sector that embraces innovation and fosters the next generation of performing artists, audiences and cultural leaders.
Is this a capital campaign?
No, The Next Act is not a capital campaign targeted at a specific need, such as the construction of a new building. The Next Act is a comprehensive campaign which supports the NAC’s multiple strategic priorities, including programs and initiatives to champion the recovery and renewal of the Canadian performing arts sector.
How will my donation be used?
Your donation can be directed toward a program or artistic discipline of your choice, or toward the National Arts Centre’s Highest Priority Needs. Every donation will contribute to The Next Act’s $100 million fundraising goal.
How does the campaign differ from the fundraising you do every year?
The Next Act campaign’s ambitious $100 million goal means that we are seeking gifts “above and beyond” our annual fundraising goals.
When did the campaign begin and when will it end?
The Next Act campaign’s quiet phase began in the fall of 2021. The campaign was announced publicly on April 29, 2023. We anticipate that the campaign will reach its goal by 2028.
What gifts count toward the campaign goal?
Every donation received by the National Arts Centre Foundation since the fall of 2021 counts towards the campaign total. This includes gifts of every amount.
Does my gift matter? Isn’t the NAC Foundation focused on big gifts?
Every gift counts. The Next Act campaign relies on gifts of all amounts, and on the collective generosity of donors from across Canada in support of the performing arts to reach its $100 million goal.
Who leads the campaign?
The award-winning Canadian actor Sandra Oh, who acted on the NAC stage early in her career, is the Honorary Chair of The Next Act campaign. The Campaign is led by an 18-member Campaign Cabinet made up of volunteers from across Canada who are passionate about the performing arts. Nancy McCain, who is a prolific arts supporter, along with her husband, The Honourable Bill Morneau, are the Campaign’s Co-Chairs.
Campaign Cabinet
Nancy McCain, Co-Chair
The Hon. Bill Morneau, Co-Chair
Dr. Sharon Azrieli
Reena Bhatt
Adrian Burns, LL.D.
Thomas d’Aquino, C.M., O.O., LL.M., LL.D.
Susan Glass, C.M.
Gregory Kane, K.C.
Derral Moriyama
Liza Mrak
Earle O’Born
Janice O’Born, C.M., O.Ont
Susan Peterson d’Aquino
Guy Pratte, C.M.
Sean St. John
Arni Thorsteinson, O.M.
Anisha Virani
Gary Zed
For more information
For more information about The Next Act campaign, please contact Karen Swain, Director of Philanthropy and Campaign at karen.swain@nac-cna.ca or +1 343-588-0584.
