The Rossy Pavilion is an elegant and intimate event space located within the National Arts Centre (NAC) at 1 Elgin Street in downtown Ottawa. With a capacity ranging from 36 to 150 guests and encompassing 1,500 square feet, it is ideal for small weddings, cocktail receptions, meetings, and media events
This venue is distinguished by its floor-to-ceiling windows, offering panoramic views of Ottawa’s most iconic landmarks, including Parliament Hill, the National War Memorial, Château Laurier, and the Senate. The natural light and scenic backdrop create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a popular choice for both daytime and evening events.
The Rossy Pavilion has hosted a variety of events, such as the Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s annual dinners and Chamberfest’s Prime Time series, which features exclusive chamber music performances.
An actor, poised in the wings, takes a deep breath and, plunging into the action on stage, joins the other characters in the drama. They are on a journey, a hero’s journey, a lover’s journey – regardless – the character is driven forward by desire. As an audience, we throw our lot in with them and join them on the journey. Where their story unfolds to reveal authentic vulnerability, a universal human quality, we can relate. We share their goals, their fears, their strengths and weaknesses. For the duration of the performance, we identify with their experience.
The magic of the performing arts lies in its invitation to breathe deeply, to set aside the cares of the day, to dream, to reflect, and to exit the performance hall renewed or changed.
The poetry of dance, the romantic sweep of orchestral music, the poignant lyrics of a folk song, or the gripping drama of a play – the experience is unique to each audience member and yet something we share in community.
The National Arts Centre is a house of dreams, an idea of creativity and story that takes flight on stages across the country through our collaborations and partnerships with artists and arts companies coast to coast to coast. It’s an idea about creation, production and co-production, performance, and learning through the arts of the stage.
In 2020, the performing arts was changed profoundly by the pandemic and calls for social justice, and would soon be challenged by economic shocks that have confronted us all. We set ourselves on a course: to work with others across the country to lead a revival of the performing arts. During the three years of that strategic plan, we heard from arts stakeholders that we were playing a helpful, important role, and that we should push ahead on that course.
Today, audiences are returning with new enthusiasm, sometimes in large numbers, but not consistently. There is greater diversity on Canadian stages, in artistic leadership positions, and in our audiences. But there is much more work to be done. Now is a moment of fragility and promise, like the moment just before an artist goes onstage.
And so, in 2025, as we look ahead to the road that awaits us, we recommit to the journey. We recommit to working with others to build a performing arts sector that is more creative, adaptive, and relevant to communities. One that is equitable, diverse, accessible, and welcoming to all. One that advances environmental sustainability and reconciliation with Indigenous nations. So that the art on the stages reflects all of what Canada is becoming.
Join us on the journey.
Own or work here?