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Canadian Arts and Culture in Washington, D.C.

The Canadian Embassy’s Cultural Program

The Canadian Embassy’s cultural program celebrates Canada’s rich bilingual, multicultural, and Aboriginal heritage. In events that take place in the Embassy Art Gallery and Theatre, and also in partnership with cultural institutions in the Washington, D.C., community at large, we showcase aspects of Canada’s artistic and cultural heritage, including the performing arts (dance, multi-disciplinary performance, music, theatre); visual arts and media arts; literature; and film, video and television.

Embassy programming in the U.S. capital is multi-faceted. Exhibitions in the Art Gallery, which have highlighted regional and thematic work, including Dezhan Ejan: Aboriginal Works from the Collection of the Canada Council Art Bank and A Group of Seven: A Contemporary Look at the Canadian Landscape, have been well-received by the public and critics alike. The Embassy Theatre hosts events ranging from film and documentary premieres to master class recitals. Past performances include concerts by Angela Hewitt, Jamie Parker, and Alexandre Solopov. The Embassy also partners with several D.C. film festivals, notably the D.C. Environmental Film Festival, to showcase Canadian films. Past screenings include A Whale of a Tale by Peter Lynch, The Far Side of the Moon by Robert Lepage, Mr. Mergler’s Gift by Beverly Schaffer, and Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner by Zacharias Kunuk.

Additionally, our active role in the D.C. theatre community includes the Canadian/Washington Theatre Partnership, a collaborative initiative with the Helen Hayes Awards. Under the partnership, the Embassy provides grants to artistic directors from the Washington, D.C. area to visit their Canadian counterparts and to become better acquainted with Canadian theatre and playwrights. We are proud that under the auspices of the partnership, many productions authored by Canadian playwrights have garnered critical acclaim and awards for local theatres and artists; among them are Patience by Jason Sherman, produced by Woolly Mammoth Theater; The Drawer Boy by Michael Healey, produced by Round House Theater; and Mary’s Wedding by Stephen Massicotte, produced by Theatre Alliance.

The Embassy also frequently partners with local cultural organizations, such as the AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center, the Hirshhorn Museum, the Smithsonian Institute, and the Capital Fringe Festival. It is these long-term partnerships that facilitate the depth and variety of our programs. Upcoming events for 2006 include partnerships with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the Virginia Arts/NATO Festivals.

Canadian Arts
The Embassy produces a monthly newsletter, Canadian Arts, that highlights events showcasing Canadian arts and culture in the Washington, D.C. area. Subscription is free and the publication can be obtained electronically. For more information, or to be included on our cultural newsletter e-mail list, please contact: cdnarts@canadianembassy.org.

Embassy Art Gallery
The Embassy houses an art gallery that can be accessed by the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday. Our gallery features Canadian art and artists on a rotating basis, with approximately three to four exhibitions every year. Information on and images from the current exhibition can be viewed on the exhibition page of our website.

About the Embassy — Art and Architecture
The Canadian Embassy's design and location make the building one of the most recognized and distinctive landmarks in Washington, DC. more

Culture in Canada
Canada has two official languages—English and French—and a highly diverse culture, thanks to the contribution of Canadians of all origins. Because of its short history, Canadian culture is above all contemporary. More