2015 Accountability Report
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2015 Accountability Report Table of Contents Opening Message 1 Awareness 25 About Calgary Arts Development 2 Governance 26 Community Investment 3 People 29 Engagement 12 Committees, Assessors and Volunteers 31 Spaces 20 2015 Program Partners IBC Sylvie Moquin, Valentia Dimitriou, Caitlin Unrau, Natalka Lewis, Jessalyn Britton and Laura Barcelo perform in Corps Bara Dance Guild’s Cleansing . Photo: Char G Photography, courtesy of Corps Bara Dance Guild The world is changing—our diverse population and the use of digital technologies are bringing new opportunities for cultural expression and creative practices, both as hobbies and as careers. Opening Message We are seeing signs that the arts are becoming more central The arts are becoming more central to the identity of our city to the story Calgary is telling and more central to people’s lives. and to the way we host guests, such as Animate the Avenue, which was a signature Calgary experience provided at the Proof of this can be found in the boom of new cultural Community Foundations of Canada conference hosted by the facilities that opened in 2015, or were close to completion, Calgary Foundation. The Calgary Foundation has identified including the Evergreen Community Space, the Bella Concert the platform of Living a Creative Life as a vital priority in their Hall, the DJD Dance Centre, the Calgary Film Centre, recently renewed focusing document. And Calgary Economic cSPACE King Edward, and the National Music Centre. Proof Development tells us that attracting a creative workforce is can also be found in the multiplicity of ways people are of primary importance to Calgary businesses. A healthy and engaging with the arts, as evidenced by the findings of the vibrant arts scene is definitely a factor in attracting talented Arts Engagement Survey report we published online in 2015. people to our city. The tragic passing of Michael Green and Narcisse Blood The world is changing—our diverse population and the use in 2015 demonstrated the power of artists to move a city. of digital technologies are bringing new opportunities for The Calgary Tower and the Langevin Bridge were lit up in cultural expression and creative practices, both as hobbies yellow as a tribute to Michael’s artistic output with One and as careers. There is less distinction between the notion Yellow Rabbit, and the Jack Singer Concert Hall was filled to of living a creative life on a daily basis and professional arts capacity with people celebrating the lives of these artists. As practice, between the realms of non-profit arts organizations the year continued, a project close to Michael’s heart lived on and commercial arts ventures, and between those who create and proved how art can be a powerful tool for reconciliation and those who consume arts experiences. Artists are becoming when Making Treaty 7 was presented as the first theatrical more entrepreneurial and the creative economy is growing performance in the brand new Bella Concert Hall for three as an engine of economic diversification. New governments sold-out performances. elected in 2015, both federally and provincially, are demonstrating their belief in the importance of the arts with the promise of increased funding over the next several years. These were all signs of change in 2015. Signs that the arts are becoming more central to our lives. Let’s continue to champion the arts, strengthen the arts ecosystem, and support the idea of living a creative life, for the benefit of all Calgarians. Patti Pon Dean Prodan President & CEO Board Chair Patti Pon and Dean Prodan Photo: Amy Jo Espetveidt, Calgary Arts Development 2015 ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT | CALGARY ARTS DEVELOPMENT 1 About Calgary Arts 2015 TO 2018 STRATEGIC PLAN In 2014, Calgary Arts Development finalized its 2015 to Development 2018 Strategic Plan. The plan’s three strategic priorities are: As the city’s designated arts development authority, Calgary 1. Raise Value: Calgary Arts Development continues its Arts Development supports and strengthens the arts to leadership role in the arts and with other stakeholders to benefit all Calgarians. We invest and allocate municipal make the arts integral to the lives of Calgarians. funding for the arts provided by The City of Calgary and 2. Build Relationships: Calgary Arts Development fosters leverage these funds to provide additional resources to the collaborative relationships across sectors and communities arts sector. to help ensure that Calgarians can experience art in their Our Why: We believe that art infusing the lives of Calgarians everyday lives. has the power to build our city. 3. Increase Resources: Calgary Arts Development identifies Our Vision: A creative, connected Calgary through the arts. ways to increase and sustain our finances and expertise, and uses these resources wisely for greater impact. Our Mission: We support and strengthen the arts to benefit all Calgarians. These priorities all contribute to Calgary Arts Development’s desired outcome for 2018: “By 2018, Calgary is recognized To deliver on our mission, we are: as a creative and artistically vibrant city that inspires • A connector, facilitator and collaborator. Calgarians and the world.” • A champion, supporter and amplifier. Overall, the 2015 to 2018 Strategic Plan aligns with four out • An investor in artists and arts organizations. of five City priorities in The City of Calgary’s Action Plan • A catalyst and opportunity-maker. (A Prosperous City, A City of Inspiring Neighbourhoods, A Healthy & Green City, and A Well-Run City), and is explicitly aligned to Living a Creative Life: an Arts Development Strategy for Calgary. Calgary Arts Development’s complete strategic plan is available at calgaryartsdevelopment.com. Green Fools’ The Floating Mouse with Jamie Konchak. Photo: Sarah Milan Smyth, courtesy of the Green Fools 2 2015 ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT | CALGARY ARTS DEVELOPMENT In line with the 2004 Calgary Civic Arts Policy, Calgary Arts Development is responsible for establishing arts investment programs for organizations’ annual operations, individual artists and other purposes that achieve our strategic objectives and strengthen Calgary’s arts sector. ARTIST OPPORTUNITY Community GRANT PROGRAM Investment This program invests in professional development for In line with the 2004 Calgary Civic Arts Policy, Calgary Arts individual professional artists, contributing towards Development is responsible for establishing arts investment expenses related to a unique artistic or career opportunity to programs for organizations’ annual operations, individual a maximum of $2,500. Although the grants are modest, the artists and other purposes that achieve our strategic impact can be transformational. Up to June 30, 2015 there objectives and strengthen Calgary’s arts sector. Calgary were no set deadlines for application, but starting in the Arts Development invests 75% of the dollars received from third quarter of 2015, the Artist Opportunity Grant Program The City of Calgary directly into the arts sector through established set deadlines for application and continues to grant investment programs. In Addition, 14% of the funds maintain quarterly intake periods. Demand far outweighs the received are used to strengthen the arts sector through arts amount of investment available. We were able to invest in development activities, and the remaining 11% is used just under 40% of the qualified applicants in 2015, granting for administration. 32% of the total requested funds. Calgary Arts Development’s approach to investment is The 2015 Artist Opportunity Grant Program invested broad, including direct monetary support through grant $75,378 (up from $58,779 in 2014) in 44 artists (up from 32 investments as well as fostering long-term resilience through artists in 2014). The 2015 recipients were: capacity-building in the arts sector. Carissa Baktay, Solo Exhibition (Mote de Caprica, Portugal) derek beaulieu, Reading at Ronnells Antikvariat We ran the following investment programs in 2015: (Stockholm, Sweden) Artist Opportunity Grant Program Derek Michael Besant, Exhibition at Edinburgh Arts for All Program International Arts Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland) InvestYYC Courtney Charnock, Performing in Prague Quadrennial New Pathways for the Arts (Prague) Operating Grant Program Meghan Conley, Aesthetics, Ethics, and Biopolitics of the Posthuman Conference (Aarhus, Denmark) Remarkable Experience Accelerator Steven Cottingham, Residency (Berlin) Special Circumstance Program Jennifer Crighton, i.s.l.a.n.d. Hill House Residency In total, Calgary Arts Development invested $4,554,803 (Michigan) through these programs in 2015, a 7.6% increase over 2014. Jeff Cruz, Exhibition for Contact Festival (Toronto) Col Cseke, Travel Assistance (North Vancouver) Michèle Cusson, American Masters Academy of Opera (Moscow) Alison DeRegt, MCCP Workshops (Manitoulin, Ontario) Ellen Doty, Folk Alliance Showcase 2015 (Kansas) Alyssa Ellis, Biophilia Residency (Wolfville, NS) Craig Fahner, Device Art Triennial Exhibition (Zagreb, Croatia) Patrick Finn, Writer in Residence (Banff) 2015 ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT | CALGARY ARTS DEVELOPMENT 3 Cheryl Foggo, Zora Neale Hurston Festival Presentation Laura Wayne, Film Exhibition at Dok Leipzig (Eatonville, Florida) (Leipzig, Germany) Sara Girletz, Residency at Sointula Art Shed (Sointula, BC) Kyle Whitehead, KIAC Film Festival Residency (Yukon) Natalie Gauthier, Clown Farm (Manitoulin, Ontario) More information can be found at Tamara Himmelspach, Urban Access to Aboriginal Art, calgaryartsdevelopment.com/opportunitygrant