Calgary Arts Development is seeking volunteers to assist with the Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions on February 21, 2013 at the BMO Centre, Stampede Park.

The Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions is a collaboration between Calgary Arts Development and Mayor Naheed Nenshi. In consultation with business and cultural industry advisors, this event was developed as a new way of expanding the circle of Arts Champions in Calgary, building on the Mayor’s Luncheon for Business and the Arts' long history of bringing together the business and arts sectors. The Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions celebrates the transformative power of the arts, building momentum for the future.

Volunteers will play an important part in making the event a success. Shifts will be three hours in length and lunch will be provided.

Volunteer duties include:

• Directing attendees from CTrain and other BMO Centre entrances to event,
• Greeting and helping attendees to their seats,
• Assisting staff with ensuring the event runs smoothly and efficiently.

For more information, contact Lisa Tornack at lisa.tornack@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or 403-264-5330 ext. 203.

Today, Peter Boyd, Chair of the Board of Directors of Calgary Arts Development Authority (CADA) announces another milestone in the organization’s 8 year history: the beginning of a planned succession process for Dr. Terry Rock, founding President & CEO. Dr. Rock has been instrumental in both creating the organization and leading the work toward its vision for Calgary to be a culturally vibrant city that inspires and engages the world. Dr. Rock will support the Board of Directors throughout the succession process to ensure an orderly transition to the organization’s second President & CEO. The Board has struck a search committee, and intends to complete the transition before the end of October.

In the past decade, Dr. Rock has led or played a significant role in several major accomplishments for Calgary’s arts sector, including:

• the 2004 Civic Arts Policy, which led to the creation of CADA, a subsequent merger with the Calgary Region Arts Foundation, and ultimately increased grant funds from $2.2M to $3.9M per year;
• the 2007 Cultural Spaces Strategy & Capital Plan and a comprehensive report on the current state of art spaces, which led to a municipal funding commitment of $165M and several community-led arts infrastructure projects. The strategy also led to a 2011 partnership with The Calgary Foundation to create cSPACE Projects and purchase King Edward School to become Calgary’s first arts incubator;
• co-Chair of the 2008 Juno Awards Host Committee;
• the 2010 Festival and Event Policy, which led to clarified processes and large subsidies for festivals and events, including $900,000 in additional funding in 2011 and 2012;
• the creation of the Remarkable Experience Accelerator in partnership with the Calgary Hotel Association, which will invest over $800,000 in 5 proven Calgary arts organizations; and,
• the Cultural Capital of Canada Bid, in partnership with Calgary Economic Development, Tourism Calgary, the Calgary Public Library, the Calgary Stampede, and The City of Calgary, which resulted in the creation of Calgary 2012 and a year-long celebration as one of Canada’s Cultural Capitals.

Dr. Rock is now leading the process to create Calgary’s first Arts Plan, a long-term strategy for arts development and investment in the city. The process has included significant public consultation and will be a legacy made possible by Calgary's year as a Cultural Capital of Canada. Over the next six months, Calgary Arts Development will work with its partners, arts practitioners and members of the public to build a unified vision with clear targets and platforms for collaborative action. The plan aims to activate the community to come together with one inspiring vision for the future on June 5, 2013 at a public meeting of The City of Calgary’s Standing Policy Committee on Community and Protective Services.

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Terry, and his family, for the very significant contribution that they have made to the strength and vibrancy of Calgary's arts and culture sector,” says Peter Boyd, Chair, Board of Directors. “As a result of Dr. Rock’s leadership, CADA has become far more than a granting agency of The City of Calgary. As an initiative made possible by the 2012 Cultural Capital year, the Calgary Arts Development Board and Terry are leading an important process which will result in an enhanced arts development strategy for our city. That strategy will set clear, long-term targets for the resources necessary to support a thriving arts sector in Calgary. Thanks Terry, for your visionary leadership since 2003."

“My years as the founding President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development have been valuable and humbling beyond description,” says Dr. Rock. “Working with this team, for this board, with our partners and for Calgary’s City Council on behalf of the citizens of Calgary was an honour that I still sometimes can’t believe I’ve been fortunate enough to experience. I was and continue to be motivated to raise my game by the artists who work hard every day, in every corner of our city, to inspire us to experience the world in new ways. I look forward to facilitating the completion of Calgary’s Arts Plan and presenting it to City Council on June 5th, and I look forward to the final act of an organization’s founder: handing it over, with momentum, to the next leader. I will be a champion for Calgary, and its amazing artists, for the rest of my life, no matter what I do next professionally.”

More details regarding the CEO search process will be released as they become available. Questions for the search committee may be directed to ceosearch@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

For Interviews Contact:
Cadence Mandybura
Community Manager, Calgary Arts Development
Phone: 403.264.5330 x 201
Email: cadence.mandybura@calgaryartsdevelopment.com

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