On Jan. 21, a new initiative to create the next generation of community and business leaders begins. The ten year partnership between the Rozsa Foundation and the Haskayne School of Business will expand to include program called “From Classroom to Boardroom” for graduating business students interested in arts and culture administration.

This unique initiative includes an adaptation of a Board Governance seminar provided by the provincial Board Development Program, introducing students to best practices in non-profit governance. The course prepares the Haskayne graduates for board positions with Calgary arts organizations as facilitated by the Rozsa Foundation. Subsequent board development is also included. Most of the students involved in this pilot project have completed an arts and culture marketing course or participated in the Rozsa Foundation Marketing Audit special course.

"This program is the result of our long-term relationship with the Haskayne School of Business who has generously joined with us to champion the arts, and clearly is a leader in community engagement" says Mary Rozsa de Coquet, Foundation President.

All three organizations see this as a unique and timely opportunity to support and benefit Calgary’s arts community as Calgary celebrates being the Cultural Capital of Canada in 2012.

Background
The Rozsa Foundation
The Rozsa (pronounced RO_ZAY) Foundation is celebrating its tenth anniversary of supporting arts administrators through its prestigious Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management. In addition to sponsoring the awards, the Foundation also provides a variety of opportunities for arts administrators to further develop their professional skills. This small family foundation believes that artistic expression is essential to the well-being of the individual and the community, and for this reason supports the enhancement of organizational capacity, development of individual talent, and provision of opportunities for community participation in the Arts.

The Haskayne School of Business

The Haskayne School of Business was founded at the University of Calgary in 1967, and was named in honor of Richard F. Haskayne, OC, AOE, FCA in 2002. The business school has approximately 3000 full- and part-time students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and executive education programs, and stays connected with its 20,000 alumni in 60 countries worldwide. The School’s vision is to be an internationally recognized centre of excellence for business education, research, and community outreach, with a special emphasis on the distinct elements that define Calgary and Alberta: energy, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership.

 

Board Development Program

Provided through the Government of Alberta’s Culture & Community Spirit, the Board Development Program is based on a curriculum that has been developed, tested and updated over the past 28 years. It is a unique program that provides no-fee assistance to not-for-profit boards through workshops, consultations, resource materials (print and web-based) and special presentations. Workshops are delivered by highly skilled and specially trained volunteer instructors. On-going community collaboration, with like-minded organizations and other not-for-profit partners, remains a key mandate.