Calgary’s disability arts community celebrates historic milestone with announcement of new centre​on February 10, 2025 at 11:26 pm

The National accessArts Centre (NaAC) has unveiled plans for its new home, a state-of-the-art facility in northwest Calgary dedicated to supporting artists living with disabilities.

The Trico Communities Accessible Arts Centre will ensure artists with disabilities have a dedicated space to create, collaborate and thrive in Calgary.

Plans for the centre were unveiled Monday alongside the announcement of funding support from Trico Communities, marking a landmark commitment to accessibility and inclusion in the arts, according to NaAC President and CEO Jung-Suk Ryu.

“This investment gives our project a huge boost forward in building a state-of-the-art learning facility for Canadian artists living with disabilities,” Ryu said.

The project will see the overhaul of Scouts Hall in northwest Calgary into Canada’s largest dedicated visual arts learning facility for artists living with disabilities.

Since the roof at the Fairview Arena collapsed in 2018, the organization has faced “trials and tribulations” in securing a permanent home for its artist community, Ryu said.

“We are now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” Ryu said.

NaAC board chair Dr. Stephanie Chipeur emphasized the significance of Trico’s support for the disability community.

“Following almost seven years of uncertainty, we are now breathing a huge sigh of relief,” she said. “It has been decades since something this pronounced has uplifted our community.

“This is truly a historic moment for the disability community, for Calgary and for Canada,” she added.

Trico Communities president Patrick Chiu said his organization’s contribution of $500,000 aligns with Trico’s mission of fostering strong and inclusive communities.

“To invest in a space that empowers and supports artists in refining their craft and gaining the recognition they deserve is deeply meaningful to us,” said Chiu. “Through offering accessible education, mentorship and professional development, this center will remove barriers that have historically limited opportunities for artists with disabilities.”

The City of Calgary has also committed funds to the project.

The Scouts Hall, constructed in 1967 and vacated by the Scouts organization in 2021, is currently undergoing extensive redesign and renovations to support the NaAC’s visual arts programs and administrative team.

With a design from Calgary-based Iwanski Architecture, the revamped building will balance heritage preservation with accessibility-focused innovation, Ryu said.