The National accessArts Centre (NaAC) is pleased to announce the first major gift to the NaAC Sustainability Fund, an important new initiative designed to help secure the organization’s long-term future.

The Fund, to be held at the Calgary Foundation, has a goal of raising $4 million to provide a permanent and sustainable foundation for the NaAC’s programs and operations. Eligible contributions to the Fund may also be matched by up to 100% through the Endowment Incentives component of the Government of Canada’s Canada Cultural Investment Fund, significantly increasing the potential impact of every gift.

The Fund’s first major contribution has been made by Melissa Wigham, a longstanding donor and supporter of the NaAC and its artists.

In recognition of the Wigham family’s generosity and enduring commitment to the NaAC, the main visual arts training studio inside the new Trico Communities Accessible Arts Centre will be named The Wigham Family Studio.

“This is an incredibly meaningful way to begin the NaAC Sustainability Fund,” said Jung-Suk (JS) Ryu, President and CEO of the National accessArts Centre. “Melissa and the entire Wigham Family have believed in our artists and in this organization for many years, and we are profoundly grateful for their continued generosity. What makes this gift particularly special is that its impact extends far beyond today. It helps us build the kind of long-term financial foundation that will allow the NaAC to serve artists for generations to come. We could not imagine a more fitting first major gift to this Fund.”

The NaAC Sustainability Fund represents the next chapter in the organization’s growth: ensuring that as the NaAC expands its facilities, programs and national reach, it is also investing in the long-term financial strength necessary to sustain that impact.

More information about the NaAC Sustainability Fund — and how our community can come together to help create a sustainable future for the National accessArts Centre — will be shared in the coming months.