My remarks at today's CATF funding announcement.

Remarks by Jung-Suk (JS) Ryu, President and CEO

Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF) Announcement

May 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM

Decidedly Jazz Danceworks – 111 12 Ave SE, Fifth Floor

(FOLLOWING GEORGE CHAHAL, MP)

Thank you very much, George.

And I would also like to reiterate my heartfelt gratitude to you and your office for your ongoing advocacy and support that has led us to this moment. Thank you.

My dear friends,

This is an extraordinary moment.

Nous sommes en train de vivre un moment extraordinaire.

Because this is more than just a funding announcement.

It is the story of a disability service provider – and the community it supports – that believed that it could be so much more. That the creative contributions of our community could be supported, advanced, and celebrated as having tremendous artistic value.

And that we could use the power of the arts to transform local, national, and international conversations about disability – and change people’s perceptions about how individuals with disabilities can make meaningful contributions to our communities …. in this case, as artists.

Today’s announcement marks a new chapter in this story.

Le centre national des accesArts est fier d’être la première organisation artistique multidisciplinaire du pays à recevoir le soutien du Fonds du Canada pour la formation dans le secteur des arts.

Grace à cet investissement, le Centre sera en mesure d’élaborer ses programmes de formation professionnelle déjà couronnés de succès, qui viennent combler les besoins de formation spécifiques des artistes handicapés qui ont l'ambition de devenir des artistes professionnels.

As the country’s first multidisciplinary disability arts organization – and our province’s fifth arts organization – to receive support from the highly prestigious Canada Arts Training Fund, the NaAC is now optimally positioned to expand its programs that are aimed at advancing the ambitions of artists living with disabilities … who want to be seen, celebrated, and showcased as bona fide artists.

Ce financement?–?en plus de la générosité de nos nombreux autres partenaires et donateurs?–?permettra au NaAC de poursuivre sur sa trajectoire de réussite en facilitant l’accès accru à d'innombrables opportunités professionnelles à notre communauté d'artistes.

For example, our venue today, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, is the home of the NaAC’s various dance and movement programs. From skills development to advanced-level studio residencies, the NaAC’s dance ensembles are pushing the boundaries of possibility when it comes to dance and performance – and its latest work, ICONIC PLUS, will be presented at Tangente Danse in Montreal in early 2024.

Le Centre est également devenu l'organisation artistique la plus connue de Calgary, ayant présenté les ?uvres de ses artistes dans des villes comme Séoul, Guadalajara, Duba?, Glasgow, Osaka, Tokyo et New York.

What this means is that artists at the NaAC are now playing a major role in cultural diplomacy, showcasing the Canadian story internationally, and bridging nations and cultures together. Next month, in June, more than sixty works of art and a new composition of music will be showcased at one of the largest art galleries in Seoul, Korea – in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Korea.

Through it all, our Professional Track artists – participating in the very programs that are being supported by CATF – are being compensated at industry-standard rates … every time they rehearse for an upcoming production, or when their composed music is performed, or when they exhibit their latest visual artworks. In the last five years, the NaAC artist community has been connected to more than $600,000 in artist fees and commissions. Another first for Canada.

La bonne nouvelle annoncée aujourd’hui signifie que les programmes offerts par le Centre ont re?u le sceau d'approbation du gouvernement du Canada comme étant conformes aux normes les plus élevées en matière de formation artistique professionnelle?: C’est la première fois dans l'histoire de notre pays qu’il existe un programme de formation artistique spécialisé qui vise à mettre en valeur et soutenir les talents des artistes canadiens vivant avec un handicap.

With today’s announcement, the National accessArts Centre is joining the ranks of the Royal Conservatory, the Banff Centre, and the National Ballet, as a bona fide arts training institution that is dedicated to advancing the ambitions of Canadian artists living with disabilities.

And for this, on behalf of the National accessArts Centre and our 350+ artists living with disabilities, I would like to thank the Government of Canada and the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Thank you very much

Merci beaucoup.