The National Arts Centre (NAC) has appointed Annabelle Cloutier as the new president and CEO, making her the first francophone woman to hold these positions. Cloutier has been part of the NAC team since 2018, serving as the executive strategy and communications director as well as the corporate secretary to the board. Her contributions include significant involvement in the NAC’s 50th-anniversary celebrations and the establishment of its Indigenous theatre program.
Prior to joining the NAC, Cloutier held positions in the governor general’s office and at various francophone cultural organizations such as the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française. The previous president and CEO, Christopher Deacon, recently retired.
Guy Pratte, the chair of the NAC board of trustees and head of the selection committee, praised Cloutier as an ideal arts leader for the current era, citing her vision, energy, and creativity in enhancing one of Canada’s most esteemed cultural institutions. Cloutier expressed her immediate focus on engaging with artists and arts leaders nationwide, actively connecting with audiences on a national scale, and supporting the NAC team to ensure the performing arts continue to be a dynamic and essential part of Canadian identity.
A photo of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa at night accompanies the news of Annabelle Cloutier’s appointment.
