The National Arts Centre (NAC) has announced the appointment of Annabelle Cloutier as the new president and CEO, making her the first francophone woman to hold this position. 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. Her contributions include significant involvement in the NAC’s 50th-anniversary celebrations and the establishment of its Indigenous theatre program. Prior to her role at the NAC, Cloutier held positions in the governor general’s office and various francophone cultural organizations.
Christopher Deacon, the previous president and CEO, recently retired. Guy Pratte, the chair of the NAC board of trustees and head of the selection committee, expressed confidence in Cloutier’s leadership abilities, describing her as an essential figure for the current cultural landscape in Canada. Cloutier stated in a news release that her primary focus will be engaging with artists and arts leaders nationwide, connecting with audiences on a national scale, and supporting the NAC team to uphold the importance of performing arts in Canadian culture.
