Professional Development

NaAC Practicum Program

This program builds the capacity of NaAC artists to move further in their professional careers. With a focus on technical training and studio operations, practicums will gain skills that will increase their understanding of their artistic medium, confidence, and employability in the arts.

Each practicum will work directly with a mentor who will teach them skills in their chosen medium. In the first half of the program, the focus will be on shadowing their mentor and assisting in the studio with hands on learning. In the second half of the program, practicums will focus on assisting and applying their skills to their independent studio practice.

OUTCOMES:

• The only multidisciplinary program in Canada where participating artists are connected to professional-grade learning and presentation opportunities.

• Artists in this track are provided with income generating opportunities. Since 2019, the NaAC has disbursed more than $600,000 in artist fees and commissions to participating artists in this professional-tier program.

• Artists develop and build their artist CV, securing individual grant and commissioning opportunities.

NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS:

• In 2021, the NaAC’s Conference of the Birds ensemble presented their film/photography/visual arts interdisciplinary project as part of Canada’s cultural presentation at COP26 in Glasgow.

• ICONIC is set to tour nationally, with a premiere at Montreal’s Tangente Danse in early 2024.

Event Sponsorship rare

The NaAC’s largest annual fundraising event, rare is an event unlike any other in Calgary, where guests are walked through a journey of extraordinary works from the NaAC, paired with some of the rarest wines from around the world.

Sponsorship Range: $5,000 to $25,000 (Title Sponsor Confirmed)

Audience Metrics: 200+ in-person attendees

OUTCOMES:

Business and community leaders gather to celebrate the multidisciplinary works of the NaAC, helping to raise anywhere between $50K-$100K as part of the organization’s largest single fundraising event.

LAUNCHPAD Series

The NaAC’s largest community event, LAUNCHPAD – now in its sixth year in 2024 – features works that will be featured as part of the organization’s ongoing international outreach and exhibition endeavours.

Sponsorship Range: $5,000 to $25,000 (TITLE)

Audience Metrics: 100+ in-person audience members, 2,500+ media and social media outreach

OUTCOMES:

Professional gallery and presentation event connects the broader community to the NaAC’s ongoing successes as Calgary’s most globally prominent arts organization.

Exhibition + Presentation Series

As the NaAC’s artist community continues to create extraordinary new works, the challenge is for our organization to create opportunities to showcase these works and connect them to new audiences. On an annual basis, the NaAC hosts 6-8 community-based art shows and presentations, and are now seeking sponsors that help recoup our costs, while highlighting the community investment being made.

Sponsorship Range: $5,000 to $50,000 (TITLE)

Audience Metrics: Community events attract anywhere between 50-100+ attendees, with a wider reach virtually through earned and social media.

OUTCOMES:

Professional gallery and presentation event connects the broader community to the NaAC’s ongoing successes as Calgary’s most globally prominent arts organization.