The National Arts Centre is a federal government centre in Ottawa, Canada that is a venue for music, theatre, dance and other arts.
The NAC is located between Elgin Street and the Rideau Canal only blocks from Parliament Hill. It was one of a number of projects launched by the government of Lester B. Pearson to commemorate Canada's 1967 centennary. It opened on June 2, 1969. The building was designed by Fred Lebensold . It is a large brown structure based around the shape of the hexagon. The roof of the building is attached to the Mackenzie King Bridge and contains gardens that are open to the public.
The NAC has four stages. The largest stage in Southam Hall is the home of the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra as well as major visiting shows and productions. The second and third stages are smaller are mostly used for theater and dance events. The small fourth stage, only recently added, is home to intimate presentations of jazz music or non-mainstream works that may not draw a large audience.
As well as the four stages the NAC is also home to the Le Café restaurant, numerous offices, and a large underground parking garage.
The NAC is a co-producer of the Canada Dance Festival.
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