Calgary Arts Development is pleased to welcome a new staff member to the team! Lauren Simms, a recent graduate of the University of Calgary's Department of Fine Arts and a practicing visual artist, has joined Calgary Arts Development as our new Program and Office Assistant. Lauren will play an important role in helping us serve arts organizations and artists through our Community Investment programs. She will also support our internal operations through general office administration.

“Lauren is already actively involved in the community as an artist and audience member, and we know she will make a great contribution to our team and to the artists and arts organizations we serve,” said Terry Rock, President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development. “She's been in the office for only a few days and is already doing a great job.”

“Calgary has a vibrant arts community and it is exciting to be involved with its creative growth,” said Lauren. “I am honoured to be a part of the CADA team.”

Lauren has a BFA in Printmaking from the University of Calgary and is an emerging artist in Calgary who is active in the arts community as a student, instructor, board member and volunteer. She has had a number of group exhibitions including a collaborative project at the 2008 One Yellow Rabbit's High Performance Rodeo Midway Carnival of the Macabre with Jill Ho-You. Lauren has been nominated for numerous awards, including the Bank of Montreal First Art Award and is a recipient of the Kathleen and Russell Lane Canadian Art Award (The Calgary Foundation).