Calgary Arts Development is pleased to announce that Karen Ball has been hired as Director of Grants and Community Relations to lead and manage the organization's new responsibility in investing in the community through the allocation of municipal arts grants.

Karen Ball, currently the Interim Director of Advancement at the Alberta College of Art & Design(ACAD), will begin her position at Calgary Arts Development in late January. In addition to her last year at ACAD, Karen brings with her a long resume of achievement, including the creation of Arts Habitat, an artist live/work development in Edmonton, serving as the Executive Director of The Works Art & Design festival in Edmonton, and several successful years in fund development at the Banff Centre for the Arts.

Karen will be responsible for leading and managing all activities related to the allocation of municipal grants, including managing and supporting the community volunteers who make grant allocation recommendations; developing policies related to the allocation of grants; developing new support and investment programs based on Calgary Arts Development's strategic plans; and building strong relationships with local artists and arts organizations, as well as the business community whose investments are so important to the arts.

"After an extensive hiring process, including a panel interview with staff, grants committee members, community representatives and board members, Karen really stood out to us as the person best suited to take on this important role at Calgary Arts Development," said Terry Rock, President & CEO. "She is very comfortable leading organizational change, and her experience developing the arts in communities across Alberta and ability to build strong relationships with the corporate community will make her a tremendous asset to the team."

Karen will replace Kathryn Hartley, former Executive Director of the Calgary Region Arts Foundation, which merged with Calgary Arts Development earlier this fall. Kathryn is currently on contract with Calgary Arts Development, and she will work closely with Karen Ball over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition and to lay the foundation for best-in-class granting processes and policies at Calgary Arts Development.

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For more information, contact:

Erica Mattson
Marketing & Communications Manager
Calgary Arts Development
[p] 403.264.5330
[m] 403.519.2598
[e] erica.mattson@calgaryartsdevelopment.com
[w] www.calgaryartsdevelopment.com