Join us as we spend an evening celebrating the extraordinary initiatives of NaAC artists as we prepare to launch our latest international exhibition and showcase exceptional new works from the NaAC Music Ensemble and fibre artists. Launchpad 5.0 takes an evening to acknowledge the NaAC’s global exhibition initiative as we prepare a collection of work for a June 2023 exhibition in Seoul, Korea. Intense Difference of Its Own: 60 Years of Korean-Canadian Diplomatic Relations features the work of twenty artists and explores how cultural diplomacy can be underscored through the disability arts. We also come together to celebrate the launch of Robot Revelations, the first album of music released by NaAC musicians, and the accompanying project website. Lastly, we celebrate the thirty-two contributing artists to the NaAC’s massive Heritage Quilt Fest submission! A Few of Our Favourite Things, measuring a mighty 80 X 112 inches, is a collaborative quilt designed and executed by NaAC fibre artists.

Intense Difference of Its Own: 60 Years of Korean-Canadian Diplomatic Relations

Intense Difference of Its Own: 60 Years of Korean-Canadian Diplomatic Relations explores the ways cultural diplomacy can be underscored through the disability arts. Bringing together works by 20 artists with disabilities, the exhibition demonstrates how diverse voices lead to open cultural exchange. Drawing on a variety of independent studio practices and collaborative projects, we can see that power lies in an artist’s ability to draw from their unique perspectives, and that difference, challenge, and perspective can collide to engage with complex ideas.

Artists: Alison Cherer, Amber Harriman, Andrew Harding, Carla Salter, Rachel Harding, Jonathan Stel, JorDen Tyson, Karin Hazel, Michelle Bennie, Brian Ehnis, Carol Harris, Laura LaPeare, Anthony Hodgetts, and Jamie Petit.

The Science Fiction People Present: Robot Revelations

The National accessArts Centre is proud to announce the arrival of The Science Fiction People. Featuring Colleen Ashmore, Mark Bedford, Jan de la Cruz, Tony Goodison, and David Oppong, The Science Fiction People are a collection of Calgary musical artists living with developmental disabilities ushering in a new frontier for Canadian music. Carefully crafted over multiple online and in-studio collaborative sessions, The Science Fiction People’s Robot Revelations is the product of a profoundly unique and experimental creative project exploring individualized and peer-to-peer approaches to Disability-led music creation. The project, made possible with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, explored new frontiers of accessible music-making, remote technology, and accessible digital instruments.

Artists: Colleen Ashmore, Mark Bedford, Jan de la Cruz, Tony Goodison, and David Oppong

A Few of our Favourite Things

On May 27-28th, the Festival of Quilts celebrates the quilting creations loaned to the festival by Calgary area quilters. The NaAC is excited to announce the submission of A Few of our Favourite Things, an 80” X 110” collaborative quilt created by participating NaAC artists.

Artists: Alicia Morrison, Alison Cherer, Andre Paradis, Andrew Harding, Andrew McDonald, Asma Essid, Britany Osiowy, Christina Stenhouse, Dalia Al Tabba, Daniel Desaulniers, Devin Glenn, Donald Greenough, Gaelyn Thomas, Jessica Kowalski, Judy Tarves, Kacy Salkeld, Katherine Cooksley, Kathy Austin, Kevin Heeagrt, Linda Mikel, Lynn Perrault, Mackenzie Wigham, Mary Ann Wardman, Mathew Langen, Meg Ohsada, Melissa Brown, Pat Dickson, Roma Shafer, Rowan Docker Drysdale, Shelly Howard, Sherrine Fox, Theresa Watson

Event Accessibility:

Free. Donations welcomed. No RSVP required. Relaxed event. Open captions. Large print format available. Wheelchair accessible venue. Wheelchair accessible washroom. Wheelchair accessible seating. Level entrance/no gap. Automatic door. Wheelchair accessible parking. Wheelchair accessible transit nearby. Refreshments will be served.