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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.