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 a part of the NAC since 2018, serving as the executive strategy and communications director as well as the corporate secretary to the board.
During her tenure, she played a significant role in the NAC’s 50th-anniversary celebrations and the establishment of its Indigenous theatre. Prior to her time at the NAC, Cloutier had experience working in the governor general’s office and with various francophone cultural organizations.
The former president and CEO, Christopher Deacon, officially retired the previous week. Guy Pratte, the chair of the NAC board of trustees and head of the selection committee, praised Cloutier as an arts leader with the vision, energy, and creativity needed for the role.
In a statement, Cloutier expressed her immediate focus on engaging with artists and arts leaders nationwide, connecting actively with the NAC’s audiences, and collaborating with the NAC team to uphold the significance of performing arts in Canadian culture.