OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 01/29/13 -- The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today unveiled a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque commemorating the National Arts Centre (NAC) as a National Historic Site of Canada. A ceremony to mark the importance of the NAC's contributions to Canadian history took place today in Ottawa.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to commemorate the national historic significance of the National Arts Centre," said Minister Kent. "Created by the Parliament of Canada as part of the celebrations for the one-hundredth anniversary of Confederation, the National Arts Centre is a national showcase for the arts. As an institution and as a building, the NAC is an exceptional example of Canadian achievement."

One of the largest and most comprehensive performing arts facilities in the world, the NAC's contributions to classical music, English theatre, French theatre, dance, and community programming, have allowed generations of Canadian artists and many others to perform on a national and international stage.

The building itself is a complex structure based on the triangle and hexagon. From the overall composition down to decorative details, the NAC, was at the time of construction, an example of state-of-the-art performing spaces and technology, representing an inspired collaboration between architect and acoustician.

The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada was established in 1919 and is supported by Parks Canada. It advises the Minister of the Environment regarding the national significance of places, persons and events that have marked Canada's history. On behalf of the people of Canada, Parks Canada manages a nationwide network of national historic sites that makes up a rich tapestry of Canada's historical heritage and offers the public opportunities for real and inspiring discoveries.

For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca under Media Room.