Canada’s Largest Disability Arts Organization Receives Over Two Million Dollars in Historic Donations to Kick Start the Campaign

The National accessArts Centre (NaAC), presented by TD Ready Commitment, is proud to announce the public launch of its ambitious capital campaign: Disability and the Arts. Redefined. With a fundraising goal of $30 million, the campaign will support the goal of creating the world’s first fully accessible arts learning campus. Anchored by the revitalization of the historic Scouts Hall, an initiative led by the City of Calgary with support from the NaAC, the campus will also feature a newly developed multidisciplinary arts learning complex. Together, these facilities will redefine how individuals with disabilities engage with and contribute to the arts. Once completed, this will mark the largest investment ever made in disability arts in the Western hemisphere. The launch event will also include two historic donations from Al Osten and the late Buddy Victor and the family of the late Canadian artist Won Lee, led by NaAC Vice Chair Hyon Chu Lee.

“The launch of this capital campaign is the next step in bringing the NaAC to life. We have been so fortunate to have amazing support to this date, and we are optimistically looking forward to being able to complete the project by 2026,” said Jung-Suk Ryu, President and CEO, National accessArts Centre. “We are so honoured to receive these incredibly generous gifts from Al Osten and the late Buddy Victor and the Lee Family. The spaces that will be created in their honour will leave a lifetime legacy and make the arts accessible for generations to come.”

At the launch, the NaAC will announce two landmark private donations, including $1.5 million gift from Al Osten and the late Buddy Victor – the largest private donation to the disability arts in Canadian history. In recognition, the performing arts studio within the new campus will be named the Osten-Victor Inspiration Studio, a space dedicated to nurturing the creative aspirations of performing artists with disabilities. Also, NaAC will receive $1.0 million gift from the family of the late Canadian artist Won Lee, led by NaAC Vice Chair Hyon Chu Lee. In recognition, the outdoor gathering space uniting the Trico Communities Accessible Arts Centre (the restored Scouts Hall) and the new arts hub will be named the Won and Hyon Chu Lee Plaza.

Designed with fully accessible pathways, inclusive seating, sustainable landscaping and welcoming open space, the plaza will serve as a vibrant hub for community connection and celebration.

Thanks to generous support from government partners, donors, and foundations, the NaAC has already raised $17.8 million in just under 18 months. The organization is on track to secure the remaining funds by the end of 2026.

For more information, please contact:
Kristina Wheeler
403-819-0732
kristina@parkerpr.ca