Arts organization unveils plans for new $12M facility
The National accessArts Centre (NaAC) has come forward with plans for a new multidisciplinary home for artists with disabilities in the heart of Calgary's West Hillhurst community.
The proposed $12 million-dollar facility would be constructed in a parking lot beside the former Scouts Canada building, and feature a multi-purpose presentation venue, a visual arts gallery, community rental space, and outdoor gathering areas.
"We're proposing a design that is artist-focussed and focused on the needs of artists with disabilities," said Jung-Suk Ryu, president of NaAC. "This facility will take into account the physical, sensory and other considerations that impact an artist with a disability," he added.
Currently, NaAC supports over 350 artists living with mental and physical disabilities. Ryu said the proposed new facility would be capable of supporting a far greater number of burgeoning and established artists, while making Calgary a global destination in arts and culture.
"What makes this project so unique is that no other facility of this kind exists in North America, and when we get approval to move forward it means that Calgary will become the national capital of a very important sector of our arts and culture ecosystem," said Ryu.
"Calgary will become the most accessible arts and culture city on this side of the planet."
Parking lot that is site of proposed accessArts performance space in Calgary, Aug. 2, 2021
COLLAPSE OF FAIRVIEW ARENA ROOF SPURS PLANS
Plans for a new NaAC facility started in 2018 following the collapse of the adjoining Fairview Arena in the south of Calgary. In November of 2020, the City of Calgary revealed plans to demolish the structure given the state of disrepair following the roof collapse.
The proposal for the new facility includes 60 per cent funding from federal government programs with the remainder to be generated from a public-facing capital campaign.
Ryu said NaAC hopes to break ground by the end of the year, and open the proposed facility by the end of 2023.
Further information can be found at accessarts.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.