$8.2M in federal funding will help build new hub for artists with disabilities in Calgary

Both the arts and the disabled community got a big boost Tuesday, as the federal government announced funding for a disability arts hub in Calgary.

The National accessArts Centre (NaAC) is set to open a new, purpose-built arts hub in Calgary, backed by an $8.2-million federal investment.

The Multidisciplinary Disability and Community Arts Hub (MDCAH) will provide accessible space for artists with disabilities, filling a long-standing need in the city’s arts community.

George Chahal, MP for Calgary Skyview, announced the funding Tuesday, saying the facility will offer opportunities for artists while contributing to the city’s cultural and economic fabric.

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“For me, it’s about the artists,” Chahal said. “This facility provides an opportunity for artists with disabilities to realize their passions, their dreams, through art. Moving forward with a space that all Canadians with disabilities can use and enjoy was critical for our country, but also for our city.”

The new arts hub, to be built on Memorial Drive, will replace the NaAC’s current space, which has been in limbo since the collapse of Fairview Arena in 2018.

The net-zero carbon facility will feature a multipurpose presentation and training venue, a visual arts gallery, a social enterprise café and outdoor gathering spaces. It will also include areas open to the broader community.

JS Ryu, CEO of the National accessArts Centre, called the project a “game-changer” for disability arts in Canada.

“It’s been nothing but non-stop hurdles since the Fairview Arena collapse, and to now see some light at the end of the tunnel—just to imagine the faces of our artists when they realize what kind of home we’re going to be building for them—gives me goosebumps,” he said.

Founded in 1975, the NaAC is Canada’s oldest and largest disability arts organization, serving more than 350 artists across Calgary and southern Alberta. The organization also recently opened a second hub in Toronto.

Ryu said the new building will redefine perceptions of disability arts.

“As you drive down Memorial Drive and see this beautiful facility, you’ll ask, ‘What building is that?’ And for someone to say, ‘That’s the home of a disability arts organization,’ that changes perspectives,” he said.

“World-class design is now supporting a new creative home for the NaAC, and it’s going to have lasting impacts for generations.”

Chahal noted the significance of the investment, calling it part of a broader push to support arts and culture in Alberta.

“In the last week alone, nearly $17 million has been invested into the arts in this province,” he said.

“It’s so important that we continue to invest—not just in infrastructure, but in the people who make our communities vibrant.”

Dr. Stephanie Chipeur, chair of the NaAC board of directors, said the project will elevate Canadian disability arts on the global stage.

“Canadian artists with disabilities have demonstrated internationally that they have extraordinary creativity and deserve their rightful place in our arts and culture sector,” she said.

“With this federal funding, we can now build a home that meets our artists’ needs—and their ambitions.”

Ryu echoed that sentiment, saying the facility will be a national and international leader in the field.

“I’m looking forward to this facility being that national beacon—unmatched, unparalleled by any other facility on this side of the entire planet,” he said.

“We’re not just repurposing an old building. We are building, from scratch, a brand-new facility for the disability arts community.”

Ryu also said the National accessArts Centre and the City of Calgary have reached an agreement, allowing the agency to complete renovations on the old Scout’s Hall building in West Hillhurst, adjacent to the location of the new MDCAH.

Only weeks ago, the work was unable to continue because of the city’s historic designation for the site.

However, Ryu noted concerns about potential cost increases due to supply chain issues and construction costs related to the U.S.-Canada trade war.

“We all understand that time is of the essence,” he said. “Our partners, including the Government of Canada, are committed to getting this built—on time and on budget.”

Chahal said the investment reflects the government’s commitment to inclusion, accessibility and sustainability.

“This space will enhance the arts and culture scene in Calgary while providing new creative opportunities unlike anywhere else in Canada,” he said.

“The federal government will continue to invest in projects that support a greener, more inclusive, and accessible future for Calgarians and all Canadians.”

The federal investment is being provided through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, which supports sustainable, accessible infrastructure projects. The program, launched in 2021, received an additional $500 million in Budget 2024 to fund projects until 2029.

The NaAC hopes to break ground on the new facility this summer, with completion targeted for late 2026 or early 2027.