Consider today's news from Alberta Ballet (here), recent news from Theatre Calgary (here), the ongoing work of Calgary Opera, Theatre Junction GRAND, ATP, OYR, DJD, Lunchbox... and then add to that impressive list the large number of emerging organizations in our fine city.  If it wasn't clear already, the picture is becoming sharper:

Perhaps more than any other city in Canada, Calgary is distinguishing itself as "the" place in Canada for new creation, more often than not with exciting collaborations at the heart of the work.

I am not a historian of the arts in Calgary.  However, I have it on good authority that this was NOT the way it used to be! There were challenges aplenty not that long ago.  Now?  We have tremendous business AND artistic leadership.  We have fantastic collaborations, and maybe even some positive one-upsmanship as creativity and excellence continue to rise.  And audiences are loving it... how else to explain Calgary's position as the number one city in Canada for household arts participation?

The seeds for the dynamics we're experiencing today were sown long ago, maybe as far back as the early 1900's when Calgary's entrepreneurial and community values were taking root.  Initiatives such as the Alberta Performing Arts Stabilization Fund in the late 90's/early 00's helped get through the roughest times, creating a business context to allow our great artists to thrive.

And here we are in 2009 with one inspiring announcement after another... wow.

I want the people who are undertaking all of this hard work to know that as you stride ahead, be assured that tens of thousands of Calgarians sincerely appreciate what you do for our city. However, we all know (certainly at CADA we do!) that there is much work to do to get where we want to go.

For a while today though, it was time to take a breath, enjoy the view, and then commit to doing our best to keep up with the pace you are setting.

Thanks.

(P.S. I know I've missed important organizations/contributions in the listing above, sorry... I went off the top of my head as I head out of town for a couple of days of R&R... feel free to drop names in the comments.)