About the National accessArts Centre.
Founded in 1975 as the In-Definite Arts Society, the National accessArts Centre (NaAC) is Canada’s oldest and largest disability arts organization – and in 2020, became the country’s first multidisciplinary disability arts organization. Today, the NaAC supports more than 300 artists living with developmental and/or physical disabilities through on-site studio supports and workshops, and an even broader community of Canadian artists with disabilities through immersive programs delivered online.
International initiatives.
In 2018, the Centre became one of the first Canadian disability arts organizations to tour internationally and launch a global artist residency initiative. Since then, our artists and/or their works have travelled to destinations including Hong Kong, Seoul, Dubai, Guadalajara, and New York.
Vision: Communities across Canada recognize, celebrate, and proactively include the talents and skills of artists with disabilities.
Mission: Providing artistic training, creation, exhibition, and presenting opportunities for artists with disabilities, and sharing the power of their creativity through local and global partnerships and advocacy that opens doors for their inclusion in our arts and culture ecosystem.
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that the National accessArts Centre is situated on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, and the Métis Nation (Region 3).
Our current studio facility is located at 8038 Fairmount Drive SE in Calgary. Work is now underway for our move to our new home, located at 2140 Brownsea Drive NW, with development plans that envision a world-class, completely accessible, arts training and presentation venue.
Our artists.
The NaAC represents a growing community of artists living with physical and/or developmental disabilities through our artistic training, creation, and exhibition/presentation platforms. With our multidisciplinary mandate, many of our artists train and present works across the visual and performing arts disciplines.
NaAC artjourney artists.
Learn more about NaAC’s community of artists by visiting artjourney, a NaAC initiative that aims to connect and showcase a global community of talented artists living with disabilities. Coming soon.
Our Team
Karly Mortimer
Director, Artist + Program Development
Robert Roach
Chair
Deputy Chief Economist, ATB Financial
Judith Galbraith
Vice-Chair
Retired (public servant)
Jeff de Boer
Past Chair
Professional Artist
Ken Regan
Secretary-Treasurer
Retired (former CEO, CKUA Radio)
John Stinson
Vice President, Regional Operations
Community Living British Columbia
Kate Abbott
Lawyer and Philanthropist
Kate Price
Strategy and Fundraising Consultant, Bespoke Non-Profit Solutions
Lisa Cooke
Vice President, Advertising
Shaw Communications
Andre Giesbers
Manager, Marketing and Midstream Logistics Saguaro Resources
Donna Thomson
Author and Caregiver
Our Supporters
The National accessArts Centre receives impactful investments from a variety of different sources, with core operational funding from the Government of Alberta through the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the Calgary Arts Development Authority, and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. In addition, the Centre receives support through its long-term lease arrangement with the City of Calgary. Below is our list of supporters for the 2019-20 fiscal year:
Government of Alberta
Calgary Arts Development
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
The City of Calgary
Canada Council for the Arts
Global Affairs Canada
Rozsa Foundation
Calgary Foundation
$20,000+
Ron and Melissa Wigham
$10,000-$19,999
Hotchkiss Family Foundation
Michael and Renae Tims
$5,000-$9,999
Anonymous
ATB Financial
$1,000-$4,999
Amanda Varty
Art Space and Design
Bow Valley Credit Union
Dell and Lauren Pohlman
Executive Millwork Inc.
Fairview Community Association
Gerald D. Chipeur, Q.C.
Lauren Wigham
Under $999
Allin Boyer
Amber Webb
Anndee King
April Rogowski
Ayers Justine Helesic
Bonnie Skelling
Byron McDonald
Calgary Foundation
Carol Mortimer
Carson Harding
Cathy Kerr
Christine Armstrong
Deanna Goacher
Debbie Lemke
Deborah Switzer-Cook
Deborah Trochim
Gail Vanairsdale
Geraldine Munro
Ina-Jean Gietz
Jeff de Boer
Jo Anne Murray
Jodi James
Kaisnie Singh
Kate Abbott
Kathleen Brownlee
Kevin Marjoram
Kimberley JEv
Kristine Thompson
Kyla Longstaff
Lachlin McKinnon
Lake Bonavista Village
Leia Tait
Marla Christianson
Matthew Grant
Maureen Moul
Pat Dsaulniers
Patricia Pennock
Patricia Ruby
Riaz Mamdani
Robyn Messer
Sarah Braneaccio
Sean Drysdale
Shannon Lyall
Sharon Walker
Simon Mallett
Subah Sadiq
Todd Hirsh
Tyler Varga
Wendy Hunt
Thank you to our Artist Patrons
Artist Patrons provide a monthly contribution as part of our special donor program, whereby each patron is paired with one of our in-studio visual arts participants.
Anndee King
Annice Pendrel
Barbara Beck
Carlos Foggin
Gail McPhail
James Cameron
Jennifer Green
Juanita Carberry
Jung-Suk and Nari Ryu
Kara Tersen
Kris and Greg Thompson
Kyle Olsen
Laura-Jeanne Stollery
Lori McLellan
Marc Workman
Marion Nichols
Maureen Riddle
Michael and Raechel Kim
Nicole Kaczkowski
Pansy Angevine
Pete Lendl
Rhodri Meredith
Sam Komolafe
Sharon Kaczkowski
Simon Mallett
Sonya Regehr
Terence Meredith
Unnamed