Alanna Onespot at Canada Scene

Council-Funded Artists Shine at Canada Scene

June 16, 2017
Alanna Onespot in Making Treaty 7.
Photo: Bert Crowfoot

This summer, 1,000 talented artists will come to Ottawa in 100+ events to form a “living portrait” of Canada in 2017.

The National Arts Centre’s (NAC) Canada Scene is a highly anticipated festival combining music, theatre, dance, visual and media arts, film and circus arts that runs from June 15-July 23, 2017.

It’s the latest in the NAC’s “scene” festivals – eclectic biennial events that, since 2003, have celebrated the unique cultural scenes of Canada’s regions. Naturally in 2017, talents from all over Canada take over the scene!

The festival program brims with artists who have received Canada Council funding at various points in their career. It speaks to the impact of these investments – large and small – which have given Canadians incredible arts experiences.

We at the Council are especially proud that six of the featured productions were funded through the Council’s one-time program to mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation – New Chapter. They all reflect the spirit of New Chapter – they are ambitious, exceptional, collaborative, and will leave a lasting legacy for Canadians long after the anniversary is over.  Stay tuned for more Spotlights on these projects and follow us on social media at #CouncilNewChapter.

The Canada Council Art Bank is also celebrating Canada Scene with a virtual exhibition from its incredible collection (the world’s largest!) of contemporary art from Canada.


Partners in support
The Canada Council / NAC partnership extends beyond Canada Scene. It includes the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards, the Carrefour residency for emerging composers, the biennial Zones Théâtrales and a host of other initiatives to strengthen the organizations’ respective roles in developing and promoting the performing arts in Canada.