A group of Calgary artists will play a role in celebrations of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Republic of Korea this coming spring and summer.
The National accessArts Centre (NaAC), Canada’s largest disability arts organization, is being featured at a major exhibition at the Korea Foundation Gallery in Seoul. Intense Difference of Its Own: 60 Years of Korean-Canadian Diplomatic Relations will feature more than 60 pieces by artists who work out of NaAC, including some excerpts of dance and music being developed there.
The exhibit runs from June through August 2023, and will coincide with a number of public events being held over the summer marking the anniversary.
After that, the exhibition will move to Ottawa, where it will be showcased at the Korean Cultural Centre in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada.
As part of the cultural exchange, the NaAC will also welcome a senior policy research officer from Korea’s Ministry of Culture in 2023.
“For the first time in recent history, Canadian artists living with disabilities will be front-and-centre in commemorating a significant diplomatic milestone,” said NaAC President and CEO Jung-Suk (JS) Ryu, in a release.
National artsAccess Arts Centre CEO Jung-Suk Ryu says the organization – Canada’s largest and oldest disability arts organization – has been selected to represent Canada at the 2022 UN Global Climate Change Conference (#COP26), which takes place next month in Glasgow, Scotland.
“This is a testament to the many shared common values between Canada and the Republic of Korea, including the importance of inclusion and equity for citizens living with disabilities,” he added. “The NaAC is proud to be an active player in cultural diplomacy through initiatives like these – and I know our artists are tremendously proud of their role as cultural ambassadors.”
