Communities of Creativity: National accessArts Centre – Calgary, Canada 🇨🇦

In Calgary, Alberta, the National accessArts Centre (NaAC) stands as Canada’s largest and oldest disability arts organization. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, NaAC has grown into a national leader in supporting artists with developmental and physical disabilities, offering both local studio programs and international opportunities for creative exchange.

🎨 A Hub for Diverse Artistic Practices 

At its core, NaAC is a supported studio where artists work across painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, textiles, digital media, and performance. The centre is dedicated to providing not just the space and materials for art-making, but also mentorship and professional development. Artists are encouraged to cultivate their own style and creative identity, building practices that are recognized both within and beyond disability arts.

🌍 Expanding Access and Representation 

NaAC is more than a studio - it is also a powerful advocate for inclusion in the arts. The organization connects its artists to residencies, exhibitions, and collaborations across Canada and abroad, ensuring their voices are represented on the global stage. Its programming highlights that disability arts are not a separate category, but an essential and dynamic part of contemporary culture.

💡 A Model of Leadership 

By merging local support with national and international advocacy, the National accessArts Centre demonstrates the potential of supported studios to transform individual lives and enrich the cultural landscape as a whole. Its decades-long commitment to accessibility, professionalization, and artistic excellence make it a cornerstone of Canada’s creative community.

👉 Find out more: https://accessarts.ca/