With a shared vision and passion for promoting the performing arts in the North, a small group of volunteers formed what would become YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) in the early 1980s.
SA国际影视传媒淚t started with a few people being interested in doing something different 35 years ago.SA国际影视传媒�
That SA国际影视传媒渟omething,SA国际影视传媒� says NACC president Jean-Francois Pitre, was the desire to bring theatrical talent SA国际影视传媒� from musicians and actors to dancers and playwrights SA国际影视传媒� to a northern stage.
At a NACC-hosted celebration marking the milestone Saturday night, Pitre said the non-profit organization has remained true to its vision over the past 35 years.
Thirty-five years after its launch, Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) is "thriving," in a time when small theatres across the country are struggling, says president Jean-Francois Pitre.
Dec. 7, 2019.
SA国际影视传媒淥ffering something you wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 get otherwise, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 always been the mandate of NACC SA国际影视传媒� to push the performing arts to a new level,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
As some small theatres struggle to keep the lights on, Pitre said NACC is SA国际影视传媒渢hrivingSA国际影视传媒� under a model that encourages new ideas and focuses on SA国际影视传媒渜uality over quantity.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of theatres have had a really hard time in the last few years to survive. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e doing quite well. Our books are in good order,SA国际影视传媒� said Pitre.
NACCSA国际影视传媒檚 success in a town of some 20,000 people, said Pitre, is a testament to Northerners love of the arts SA国际影视传媒� and the overall quality of the centre, which continues to attract top tier international, national and northern talent year after year.
Its acoustics are recognized as some of the best in Canada, said Pitre, who added NACC has become a bucket-list stop for many artists and tourists alike.
Now a cultural fixture in the capital, Pitre said the enduring success of NACC has helped put Yellowknife and the territory on the performance art map.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think it gives Yellowknife a higher stature, more like mini-Edmonton, if you want to call it,SA国际影视传媒� NACCSA国际影视传媒檚 president told Yellowknifer.
SA国际影视传媒淭o have a facility this nice SA国际影视传媒� with all the lighting and the sound SA国际影视传媒� for a small place like Yellowknife, itSA国际影视传媒檚 great,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Carmen Braden, left, and Pat Braden entertain guests in the NACC lobby Saturday ahead of the night's main act, Kofi Hayford.
Dec. 7, 2019.
In the last 10 years, NACC has expanded to provide programs across the territory, part of a continued effort to nurture northern, home-grown talent.
Artist-led workshops are brought to schools in NWT communities, including Fort Smith, Hay River, Fort Simpson, Norman Wells and Inuvik, in a bid to inspire and support youth in pursuing a passion for the performing arts.
A mentorship program, meant to give emerging northern artists a platform to launch their budding careers, is also offered by NACC.
Looking ahead, Pitre said NACC will continue to stick with whatSA国际影视传媒檚 worked: bringing northern audiences a SA国际影视传媒済ood quality show," an approach he says has paid off over the last three plus decades.
