Jung-Suk (JS) Ryu is proud to return as President and CEO of the National accessArts Centre (NaAC), an organization that he led as its founding President and CEO following the merger of three Calgary-based disability arts organizations – Indefinite Arts, Momo Movement, and Artistic Expressions. Under his leadership, the NaAC became Canada’s largest disability arts organization, almost tripling in size and actively showcasing Canadian artists with disabilities on the global stage. During his tenure, the NaAC also opened the Won Lee Community Arts Hub in Toronto, made possible by a generous gift by the estate of the late Canadian artist Won Lee.
In this next chapter of his role, JS will focus his efforts on constructing North America’s first multidisciplinary accessible arts campus, anchored by the old Scouts Hall that will undergo a multimillion dollar revitalization in partnership with the City of Calgary – as well as the construction of a new, multidisciplinary arts venue that will support the NaAC’s growing performing arts and community programs.
Prior to his appointment at the NaAC, JS held several senior-level roles across a variety of sectors including: Director, External and Community Relations at the Banff Centre; Director, Public Affairs at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind; Senior Consultant with the Alberta Medical Association; and Principal Speechwriter to His Excellency Kaoru Ishikawa, Ambassador of Japan.
In 2017, JS was named one of five fellows from Canada – one in 50 globally – to participate in the Salzburg Global Seminar’s Forum for Young Cultural Innovators. He was named one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine in 2019. In 2022, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. He is also the recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005.
JS has served on the boards of numerous organizations, including US-based National Arts Strategies, CCVO, the Rocky View County FCSS Board, Creative Calgary, the Health Coalition of Alberta, the Banff Heritage Corporation, and the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation.