National Arts Centre

The National Arts Centre, in Ottawa

The National Arts Centre is the great stage of the performing arts of Canada, by the Rideau Canal. The Ottawa audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this high cultural place, dedicated to music, theatre and dance.

The great national stage of Canada

The National Arts Centre is one of the main cultural institutions of Canada, dedicated to the performing arts. Inaugurated at the end of the 1960s, it shelters several performance halls where the Centre's orchestra, theatre companies in English and French, and dance performances take place, reflecting the bilingual and multicultural character of the country. Its modern architecture, recently endowed with a luminous glass façade, opens onto the Rideau Canal and Confederation Square. A true showcase of Canadian artistic creation, the National Arts Centre is a high place of the cultural life of Ottawa and a major actor of the national stage.

What to see

You admire the modern architecture with a luminous glass façade opening onto the Rideau Canal, and you discover the halls where the orchestra, theatre in English and French and dance take place, a reflection of the bilingual character of Canada. The National Arts Centre is a high cultural place of Ottawa. It is a stop for lovers of culture, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The National Arts Centre lies by the Rideau Canal, near Confederation Square, in Ottawa, reachable on foot and by public transport. You admire its architecture from outside; the shows follow their own programme and hours, which vary. It is best to check the agenda before coming.

What is the National Arts Centre in Ottawa?

One of the main cultural institutions of Canada, dedicated to the performing arts, which shelters several halls where the orchestra, theatre in English and French and dance take place, by the Rideau Canal.

Where is the National Arts Centre?

By the Rideau Canal, in Ottawa, in Canada.