$100,000 Donation To Support #CANADAPERFORMS

As Canadians are staying home, #CanadaPerforms is showcasing live online performances from Canadian artists and provides artists fees through the Facebook-National Arts Centre Fund for Performing Artists. Slaight Music is joining forces by adding $100,000 to the relief fund.

March 21, 2020 – OTTAWA (Canada) – The National Arts Centre and Facebook Canada are proud to announce that Slaight Music is supporting #CanadaPerforms by donating $100,000 to the relief fund in support of Canadian artists performing online. This amount will be added to the initial $100,000 Facebook Canada put forward to create the fund announced on Thursday March 19, 2020. With $200,000 now available in artists fees, the NAC will be able to select and support more live online performances and possibly extend the period of the program beyond its initial date of March 31, 2020.

“This is surely an unprecedented time for our artists, our county and the world. Music and all the performing arts have the power to comfort, uplift and inspire audiences, something never more needed than during these troubled times. The NAC is profoundly grateful to Slaight Music for the $100,000 donation towards the Facebook-National Arts Centre Fund for Performing Artists initiative. We’re heartened to see the support we’re getting from Canadians, artists in all disciplines, and now from donors,” said Christopher Deacon, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre.

The National Arts Centre and Facebook Canada wish to thank the Slaight Music for their generous support that will go directly to artists who are directly impacted by the closure of performance venues across the country to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Slaight Family have been supporting Canadian artists for over 50 years starting with Allan Slaight and continues today with Gary Slaight. Slaight Music’s mandate has always been to help emerging artists bring their music to music lovers. We are proud to be partnering with Facebook and the NAC on this creative relief initiative to help musicians share their talents during these challenging times.”, said Derrick Ross, President, Slaight Music.

“We’re blown away by the response from the Canadian arts community, and it’s moving to see how meaningful #CanadaPerforms is for Canadians seeking arts and culture online, especially during these challenging times. Together with the National Arts Centre, we’re proud to have started a movement that we hope will make a real difference in people’s lives and welcome Slaight Music to this effort in support of Canadian performers.”, Kevin Chan, Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada.

#CANADAPERFORMS RECEIVES MORE THAN 1,000 APPLICATIONS IN 24 HOURS

As soon as the announcement of the Facebook-NAC partnership was announced, artists came forward with proposals and filled the inbox with applications in music, theatre, dance, comedy, poetry, reading and more.

“The response to #CanadaPerforms has been overwhelming. We have received more than 1,400 applications in 24 hours. There is clearly an incredible need, and performing artists are really hurting. I am so happy that we could bring this initiative together with Facebook so quickly. It’s going to make a difference at a time where we’re all collectively facing troubling times. We hope the performances we’re putting online will help Canadians stay entertained and discover the breadth of talent we have in this country. I want to thank my fellow NAC artistic leaders who came together to quickly assess and make recommendations on so many great proposals,”said Heather Gibson, the NAC’s Executive Producer of Variety and Popular Music, and lead programmer for #CanadaPerforms.

UPCOMING LIVE ONLINE PERFORMANCES

This weekend, Céleste Lévis (music), Christina Lee (dance), Erin Costello (music), Irish Mythen (music), Megan McDowell (comedy), Vinny François (Improv) and William Prince (music) will perform. More performances will be announced on the NAC’s Facebook page and website to discover the lineup and schedule of confirmed artists.

“#CanadaPerforms couldn't be more important right now. It's giving artists and audiences across the country a reason to connect, to share some music, and above all, to spread a little joy to each other in an uncertain time.”, said singer-songwriter Terra Lightfoot who is set to perform live this Wednesday.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this short-term relief measure, performing artists or ensembles (less than 10 people) simply need to write to the National Arts Centre at CanadaPerforms@nac-cna.ca, provide their name, a description of their 45-60 minutes performance, when they wish to share livestream and on what platform. The National Arts Centre will select fund recipients in consultation with industry leaders. The NAC will announce online performances, as they apply, are selected and confirmed, via its Facebook page for Canadians to watch and enjoy. More details are available here: https://nac-cna.ca/en/canadaperforms/apply

OTHER NAC INITIATIVES TO BRING THE ARTS TO CANADIANS

Canadians who stay at home can experience more and more digital content and recommendations coming from the NAC’s Artistic Leadership and the NAC Orchestra musicians. There will be daily content shared on social media through our amazing NAC podcasts, suggested online theatre, dance and music performances not to miss, past NAC Orchestra recordings and videos. Our NAC Orchestra musicians will also offer individual performances and more.

Follow #CanadaPerforms and our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) to find out what we have in store for everyone who is social distancing and in self-isolation.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE

The National Arts Centre raised its curtains for the first time in 1969. A bilingual, multi- disciplinary home for Canada’s most creative artists, the NAC strives to be artistically adventurous in each of its programming streams — the NAC Orchestra, Dance, English Theatre, French Theatre, Indigenous Theatre and NAC Presents. The Centre’s national role is reflected in its motto: “Canada is our Stage.” The NAC collaborates with artists and arts organizations across the country, acts as a catalyst for performance; invests in ambitious new works by artists and arts organizations nation-wide; and nurtures the next generation of audiences and artists from across Canada. Situated on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe nation, the NAC is accessible and welcoming to all, and offers a variety of free programming and events.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Annabelle Cloutier
Executive Director, Communications and Public Affairs National Arts Centre
613-301-2764
Annabelle.Cloutier@nac-cna.ca

Erin Taylor Facebook Canada 647-271-3647 erintaylor@fb.com

Nadia Kharyati Communications Officer National Arts Centre nadia.kharyati@nac-cna.ca