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, New York, and Tokyo. In 2020, the NaAC became the first disability arts organization to partner with Canada’s foreign affairs ministry that led to the acquisition of thirteen NaAC artist works to be a part of the Government of Canada’s permanent collection.
In 2021, the NaAC opened its exhibition – Conference of the Birds – as part of COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
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.
2021-22 Annual Report (PDF)
2020-21 Annual Report (PDF)
2019-20 Annual Report (LINK)
2018-19 Annual Report (PDF)
2017-18 Annual Report (PDF)
2020-21 Financial Statements (PDF)
2019-20 Financial Statements (PDF)
2018-19 Financial Statements (PDF)
2017-18 Financial Statements (PDF)
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
Vice President, Artist + Program Development
Ron Hoffmann
Chair
Vice President of Business Development Fluid Energy Group Ltd.
Judith Galbraith
Vice-Chair
Retired (public servant)
Ken Regan
Secretary-Treasurer
Retired (former CEO, CKUA Radio)
Jeff de Boer
Past Chair
Professional Artist
Kate Price
Executive Director, ACT Alberta
Lisa Cooke
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, ATCO
Andre Giesbers
Manager, Marketing and Midstream Logistics Saguaro Resources
Donna Thomson
Author and Caregiver
Colin Jackson
Co-Chair of Calgary on Purpose, Senior Scholar at the University of Calgary Graduate College
Jack Williams
Partner, Head of Operations at White Whale
Emma Graney
Energy reporter, The Globe and Mail
Gideon Arthurs
Executive Director of Soulpepper Theatre
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 2022-2023 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+
ATB Financial
Ron and Melissa Wigham
$10,000-$19,999
Calgary Shaw Charity Classic Foundation
Colin Jackson and Arlene Strom
Banff Global Business Forum
Hotchkiss Family Charitable Foundation
Telus Foundation
$1,000-$9,999
Anonymous Donor
Art Market
ATCO
Ben Oppong
Bundang Memorial Park
Catriona Chorney
Daryl Fridhandler
Dale Berstad
Dell Pohlman
Diana Mulherin
Gerald Chipeur
James Peplinski
Ken Hughes
Lauren Wigham
Lois Mitchell
Martha Hall Findlay
Matthew Matheson
PBA Group
SixRing
Tae Sup Shim
The Winnipeg Foundation
Todd Hirsch
Valerie Hazle
Under $999
Andre Giebers
Anthony Petrucci
Arley Cocks
Beverly Parker
Brad Sorenson
Byung-Min Sa Won-ja Hwang
Cara Milne
Carol Mortimer
Chad Leier
Craig Hansen
Dan Shea
Darren Milne
Dennis Sai Hoon Hong
Donna Thomson
Gordon Howell
Jack Williams
Jae Jo Chun Joong Hwan Chun
Janice & Matthew Wilson
Jeff de Boer
Jo Anne Murray
John Grant
John Stinson
Jonathan & Laura Lytton
Joshua Bell
JS Ryu
June Derhak
Judith Galbraith
Kate Price
Katherine Harmsworth
Ken Regan
Kendra Warwick
Linda Crossley
Linda Jarrett
Linda Tremble
Lynn Perrault
Marc Workman
Mary Corbett
Maxine Boettcher
Molly Breckel
Myrla Sadiq
Norman & Laurie Bennie
PwC Canada
Richard Cooke
Robert Roach
Ron Hoffmann
Stephanie McNeil
Tara Levick
Taylor Barrie
Vita Leung
Wendy Miller
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.
Anonymous
ARTrophy
Barbara Beck
Carson Harding
Catherine Striemer
Christa Kahl
Cindy Dorais
Cindy & Larry Malazdrewicz
Dale Berstad
Debbie Lemke
James Cameron
Jasvir Chatha Bains
Juanita Carberry
Kambie Milnthorp
Kara Tersen
Karen Johnson Diamond
Ken Regan
Kyle Olsen
Laura-Jeanne Stollery
Lauren Chipeur
Leslie Tamagi
Liam Dining
Lisa Cooke
Lynne Lesack
Marc Workman
Melody Poon
Nicole Kaczkowski
Nilima Sonpal-Valoas
Pansy Angevine
Rachel Wade
Roland Wigham
Ron Hoffmann
Sean McComish
Simon Mallet
Stephanie McNeil
Stretch Communication
Wendy Hunt