....: , . ' ·, . I • ; ~ ~ ' .. ' ··' .. Arts \ Commons • iii 1-:i E• G O M M l!J N I iii 'M Our Vision: A creative and compassionate society, inspired through the arts. Our Mission: To bring the arts This is YOUR ... to life. Arts Commons Crafting paper puppets at Happenings 13 'c, Will Young - ,..., ' Snotty Nose Rez Kids perform at National Indigenous Peoples Day 'c1 Elizabeth Cameron Report to the Community 2017-18 Arts Commons Artists from Classic Albums Live speak to members of Founders Circle © Will Young Selci performs at Happenings 13 © Will Young Table of Contents This is YOUR Arts Commons message from the Board PG 2 Our Mandate is ... to foster, present, and promote the arts PG 4 to provide and care for our assets PG 6 to ensure optimal access and utilization of our assets PG 8 Arts Commons Presents ... creates connections PG 12 inspires learning PG 14 uplifts and energizes PG 17 is for you PG 18 Arts Commons demonstrates sustainability PG 20 thank you PG 22 2 Arts Commons Report to the Community 2017-18 Arts Commons What's in a year? This year has been another interesting these trying times, and the Calgary one for Calgary. While we are still seeing International Children's Festival made the some lingering effects, the economic difficult decision to close its doors after downturn seems to have finally turned 32 years. upwards. In this past year, we have seen a number of new businesses open, and the So, what about the last nine years? It was City has invested more in arts and culture nine years ago that Johann Zietsman through initiatives like the opening of joined what was then the EPCOR Centre cSpace King Edward, the Beltline Mural for the Performing Arts to become our Project, and the invaluable support President and CEO. At the end of this of ongoing Arts Commons lifecycle year Johann will be leaving Arts Commons projects. There was also a proliferation to accept the position of President and of new art within Arts Commons' CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center of walls. Theatre Calgary partnered with Miami-Dade County, in Miami, Florida The Old Trout Puppet Workshop in an - an extraordinary opportunity for him impressive production of Twelfth Night; and his family. We will miss him dearly, Alberta Theatre Projects celebrated but he leaves behind a wonderful legacy Canada's first national female hockey and a sound foundation for the ongoing league through music and dance, in evolution of Arts Commons. Glory; One Yellow Rabbit had another Within months of starting, Johann unforgettable High Performance Rodeo; recognized that we were headed to a the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra projected deficit of over $900K and led welcomed the legendary Yo-Yo Ma; the very difficult task of "righting" the and Arts Commons Presents welcomed ship before moving the organization new donors, embraced long-standing forward. We ended the fiscal year with sponsors (such as Burnet, Duckworth a small consolidated surplus of $38K. In & Palmer LLP, ConocoPhillips Canada, the eight fiscal years since then (2010 - and TD Bank), introduced a new series 2018), we have had surpluses in seven (Classic Albums Live), and put forth of those years and now have a working several new community initiatives. Sadly, capital reserve of over $1.3M. not all organizations were able to survive Report to th e Community 2017-18 Arts Commons 3 The rebranding of the Centre as Arts Commons Presents programming Arts Commons exemplifies the values by adding programs like National and vision that Johann brought to his Geographic Live, and instituting our tenure - "A creative and compassionate growing volunteer Concierge program society, inspired through the arts". have all contributed to this. In addition, A place open and welcoming to all - a the building's infrastructure, visible place of equity, diversity, and inclusion. and invisible, has been upgraded Under his leadership, we have become and refurbished, ensuring the best a values led organization, focusing on experiences for our patrons. three core values: Do the Right Thing, Be Our Best Always, and Be Open: Minds, Johann also brought energy and Hearts, and Arms. ideas to the broader Calgary scene, becoming a huge supporter of the These values and his personal style have City and its arts community. This past led to: a high functioning, professional, year, Arts Commons was awarded the and empowered leadership team and "Ultimate Host City" designation - a staff at Arts Commons, collaborative designation awarded by Tourism Calgary relationships with the City of Calgary to organizations who demonstrate and our Resident Companies, improved leadership in taking Calgary to the next access to the arts by the community level. To date, only 13 organizations have through partnerships with organizations been awarded this recognition. like Action Dignity, and imaginative community and education initiatives such Johann will be greatly missed by his as the Hub for Inspired Learning. Arts Commons family. We'll miss the stylish bow ties, the South African idioms, Johann brought with him a passion for his love of ice cream, and his passion for the arts, but also a passion for open, the arts and for this city. principled, and creative management. In a difficult economic environment, he Please join us in reflecting not only on this leaves Arts Commons on solid financial past year, but on the past nine, and help footing. His initiatives in making full us wish both Johann and his wife, Tharrie, use of the Centre's venues, expanding the very best on their new adventure! Scott Hutcheson Henry Sykes, Q.C. John McWilliams Chair, Board of Directors Past Chair, Board of Directors Past Chair, Board of Directors 4 Arts Commons Report to the Community 2017-18 Our Mandate is ... to foster, present, and promote the arts The past came to life this season at Then, former CBC broadcaster Tetsuro Arts Commons, as we toured through Shigematsu explored history through the lives of legendary musicians, father the lens of his rocky relationship with and son relationships, classic rockers, his emotionally reserved father in and Shakespeare, and also said a final Empire of the Son, presented by Alberta goodbye to a beloved festival. Theatre Projects & One Yellow Rabbit. From the ashes of Hiroshima to the Theatre Calgary partnered with swingin' 60s, Shigematsu painted an The Old Trout Puppet Workshop to intimate portrait of love that father and take audiences back to the 1600s son struggled to express. for a brilliantly inventive take on Shakespeare's classic comedy: Speaking of the 60s - audiences tuned Twelfth Night. Fast forward a few in to hear The Beatles - Abbey Road Students enjoy The Path of Dreams at the Calgary International Children's hundred years to the 1930s with as performed by Classic Albums Live! Festival© RocketHouse Arts Commons Presents BD&P World A debut for Arts Commons Presents, Music's presentation of: PIAF! The Classic Albums Live then came back for Calgarians who can credit the Festival for Show. Starring Anne Carrere, the show a second monumental show performing introducing them to the transformative chronicled the life of the legendary Fleetwood Mac - Rumours. Due to its nature of the performing arts. French chanteuse using her own music undeniable popularity, Classic Albums and never-before-seen images in a Live has become an official series in the Looking to the future was The Listening theatrical, multimedia event. Arts Commons Presents lineup. Room by Michaela Jeffery, presented by Azimuth Theatre and Downstage. At the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, A chilling vision of the future, the play legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed an was also a triumph for the hardworking intimate solo recital, continuing a life­ team of emerging professional artists. long mission to unite humanity through Michaela is also an Arts Commons the connective power of music. employee, and we shone with pride during this play's debut. Unfortunately, after 32 years, the 2017-18 season was the last for the While this is a very brief history of this Calgary International Children's season, we reflect on a year that was full Festival. They leave behind a legacy of enlightening and enriching moments of love, laughter, and generations of serving to entertain and inspire. Classic Albums Live perform Fleetwood Mac - Rumours© Will Young 389,363 i\L8rn fA THEATRE PROJ !::: CTS total attendance to a ticketed event at Arts Commons "We loved. the way th e to another place and culture" - Patron from Monsieur Perine algary ,.....-._Phllharm~on~i ~ (_/r~t · THEATRE THAT CREATES ==-"' CONVERSATION theatre: CALGARY - - \ The Old''°"' Poppel Wo,kshop ,t Theat,e Ca/g;,,y wUh membe,,o/Foondm Circle© Will Young 6 Arts Commons Report to the Comm1111ity 2017-18 Our Mandate is ... to provide and care for our assets Arts Commons is proud to be the support we received from the City of equivalent of removing 6,300 cars from custodian of Canada's third largest Calgary ($7 million), the Government of Alberta roadways. and most comprehensive arts facility. Alberta ($1 million), and the Government Within the walls of our building are five of Canada ($900K). Just because Building renovations aren't just about theatres, a world-renowned concert hall, Arts Commons is a historic building, going green, however. Arts Commons arts education spaces, costume and set it doesn't mean it has prehistoric is an inclusive space that welcomes all building shops, rehearsal spaces, visual standards when it comes to emissions Calgarians and visitors alike, with open arts galleries, a cafe, and administrative and saving energy. Upgrades included arms, hearts, and minds. In this spirit, we offices for some of the most ground­ work on the air handlers, re pla cing the undertook a $354K project to upgrade breaking and accomplished performing main and secondary electrical switches, several public washrooms throughou t arts companies in Canada.