Canada’s Largest Disability Arts Organization Receives Another Transformational Gift and Names Main Gallery and Event Space
For Immediate Release
June 23, 2026
Calgary, Alta. (June 23, 2026) – The National accessArts Centre (NaAC) presented by TD is excited to break ground on its Accessible Arts Learning Campus project, anchored by the Trico Communities Accessible Arts Centre and the Joseph Chung Centre for Creativity, on June 29, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. This is a pivotal moment in bringing this incredible campus to life in the community. Along with the groundbreaking, there will be an announcement of a transformational gift and the unveiling of the name of the new gallery inside the Chung Centre. Attendees will experience a groundbreaking and ground blessing ceremony that will kick off the construction of the new centre following the last round of approvals. The event will be held on June 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with a reception welcoming guests starting at 9:30 a.m. at the parking lot next to the Trico Communities Accessible Arts Centre (2140 Brownsea Drive NW). Members of the media are invited to attend and can RSVP to kristina@parkerpr.ca.
The Accessible Arts Learning Campus project, including the Trico Communities Accessible Arts Centre and the Joseph Chung Centre for Creativity, has received funding from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as from local clubs, charitable foundations, and private donors.
“This project reflects our government’s commitment to building communities that are inclusive, accessible and sustainable, says the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada. “The Accessible Arts Learning Campus will help more artists participate in Alberta’s art scene while incorporating green design features into its facilities, helping minimize environmental impact.”
“A strong cultural scene reflects the diversity of the people and communities it serves. For more than five decades, the National accessArts Centre has championed accessibility, inclusion and artistic excellence, ensuring that more Canadians can take part in our rich cultural life and make their own contributions,” says the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages. “We are proud to support the campus project, which will significantly expand the opportunities for artists with disabilities and enrich our artistic landscape.”
Our government is proud to celebrate this milestone for the National accessArts Centre,” says Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation. “Breaking ground on the Accessible Arts Learning campus project is an important step in championing disability-led arts in Canada and creating more opportunities for artists with disabilities to thrive here in Calgary.”
“We are so thrilled to be able to celebrate our remarkable progress with a ceremonial ground blessing and groundbreaking, making yet another major step forward in the building of the world’s first accessible arts learning campus. Through all the support we have received over the past two years, this vision of an inclusive space for the disability community across Calgary and Canada is finally coming to life,” says Jung-Suk Ryu, President and CEO, National accessArts Centre. “We are so grateful to all of our supporters, donors and friends who have joined us on this incredible journey that will leave a lasting legacy in the community.”
At the launch, the NaAC will announce a landmark private donation from the Three Sisters Charitable Foundation, and the recognition of this generosity by naming the main gallery and event space The Three Sisters Gallery. This gift pushes the NaAC over the 90% construction funding threshold to begin the final round of approvals and construction on the Chung Centre, with work already underway with the adjacent Trico Communities Accessible Arts Centre. The event will begin with a ground blessing from an elder and include a traditional elder’s blessing and smudge, in addition to a formal “turning of the sod” ceremonial groundbreaking. Public officials, dignitaries and NaAC’s top capital campaign supporters will be in attendance.
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For more information, please contact:
Kristina Wheeler
403-819-0732
kristina@parkerpr.ca
