Thank-Yous

Re-Inventing TV

Holly Simon — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:10:13 -0400

Over and above back-to-back arts events for 11 weeks straight... I find myself in a particularly exciting week book ended by me in a bumble bee suit at the Grave Gala and a flight to Buenos Aires. In between, I had a flash adventure in Regina, Saskatchewan, for the 22nd Gemini Awards. (I hardly even watch television. When I do watch, I watch The Hour or Corner Gas.) I had a line on good seats through a friend and I couldn't say no...

I've seen the Gemini Awards now and again but this was obviously different. If you know George Stroumboulopoulos and The Hour, you'll not be surprised that he and some of his team re-invented the Gemini awards this year.* As soon as the show went live on the air at 5 o'clock, the energy in the room spiked. George was his usual attentive, humorous and provocative self. Somehow, a show about television, became about relevancy and response to the Canadian condition. The humour became a little more real. (I hope you saw the "Saskatchewan IS flat" skit - not the correct title - written by Paul Bates, I think.) This was the first Gemini Awards that was open to the public (which hopefully foreshadows the open and transparent future of Canada). The day ended with a party in the (haunted) Hotel Saskatchewan lobby with a crowd of young and smart Canadian television makers. Besides feeling a little star-struck, I'm reminded of the constructive threat our generation provides to the status quo.

I'm excited for the Juno Awards in Calgary, April 2008!! Let's break the Calgary music scene wide open to the world. Music lives here!

P.S. Many thanks to George and his friends for the hospitality.

*My knowledge of the whole Gemini's production is limited.

A Shout Out to all the Open Source Communities

Mike Scullen — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:26:43 -0400

Today a new version of Ubuntu, the popular Linux distribution, was officially released. I've been using Ubuntu in both server and desktop environments at Calgary Arts Development for two years now and I can say from experience that the OS is robust, accessible, and just plain works (plus compiz-fusion is bling and how can you not like release names like 'Gutsy Gibbon').

As ICT Coordinator here I rely not only on Ubuntu, but on a whole host of open source projects. Yesterday I was handed a DV tape with the intention of publishing a video of our Art Spaces Investment Process Information Session. I'll trace the process with the open source software applied to the task: read more »

Ideas and dreams on the menu!

Erica Mattson — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:43:31 -0400

The following article appeared on the blog Urban Scrawl, penned by the Calgary Herald's Paula Arab. It's not everyday that compliments like this are handed out! read more »

Arts Spaces Strategy and Capital Plan passes first hurdle

Terry Rock — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:58:39 -0400

For the few who did not come out to today's City Council Standing Policy Committee on Community & Protective Services (there were well over 60 people in attendance), I'm happy to report that our report was unanimously approved by committee. It now goes to the full City Council on April 16th.

We've known all along that space for the arts is a top concern of the community. We were pleased with the enthusiastic response to our research, but we were frankly floored to see 21 people speak in favour of the report today. Thanks to those who made it out, your support is tangible evidence that we're starting to make a difference. read more »

The New Era Starts

Terry Rock — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 02:00:00 -0500

Calgary Arts Development is just over 18 months old. We've just celebrated the first anniversary of Holly joining the team as our Knowledge Manager (our 3rd full time employee, after me and Michael). All considered, we really haven't been around very long. As the past year flew by, we had our heads down, focused on researching and beginning a process of reform to the municipal granting process... the mechanism by which we invest in the community.

Our merger with CRAF (now the Grants Committee) is nearing its first month. We had a very successful workshop weekend with our new Grants Committee volunteers in Canmore in mid-November. And now, we have the terrific news that Calgary's City Council has approved our recommended $502,500 increase in annual arts investments.

We're very pleased that all of our work has been so well received. We could not have done it without the enthusiastic commitment and trust of the community. You filled out our giant surveys, drank iffy coffee in our focus groups, met one-on-one in interviews with Judy, came to information sessions and listened to me talk endlessly about our plans, AND attended City Council meetings to show your support. We do our work because of you, and it feels great to be able to turn those plans we've been talking (and talking and talking) about into action.

There's a lot more news coming, details to be ironed out, etc. I want you to know that we sincerely appreciate your continued patience and support as we move together into a new era of growth and opportunity.

Thanks!

[and extra special thanks to the CPAA! Your support was invaluable these last few days.] read more »

Granting Program Transition News

Terry Rock — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 13:21:12 -0400

Thanks to Kerry Clarke and Dale Turri of the CPAA for organizing a general meeting on September 18th. At this meeting, I presented some of our latest news, including a summary of our research into granting programs and our agenda for reform. read more »

Body Remix gOLDBERG_vARIATIONS

Holly Simon — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 12:11:06 -0400

With contemporary dance continuing to break new ground here in Calgary, I was extremely lucky to attend the opening night of Body Remix / Goldberg Variations by Compagnie Marie Chouinard (Montreal) at The Grand last night. (Thanks very much Carol and Mark!) read more »

Chatting by the Fire - Thanks Leadership Calgary!

Terry Rock — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 13:41:08 -0400

I spent last evening in a Fireside Chat session with alumni and current participants in Leadership Calgary. Many thanks to Cassandra Litke for organizing it and to those who came out to hear about what we're doing at Calgary Arts Development, and the things I've learned in the startup process. It was a great discussion, and I hope we'll continue it.

As I tend to do in situations like this, I rattled off several authors, articles and books to read. Here's my list:

- Peter Hall, Cities in Civilization
- various authors, Cluetrain Manifesto (www.cluetrain.com)
- Eric Raymond, The Cathedral and the Bazaar (http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/)
- Cultural Initiatives Silicon Valley (ci-sv.org)
- Tom Peters, The Professional Service Firm 33 (www.tompeters.com)
- also, check out Seth Godin and Squidoo (sethgodin.typepad.com and www.squidoo.com)

Thats all I can remember... let me know if I left any out!

Thanks to Theatre Junction - Far Away

Terry Rock — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 09:36:11 -0400

We took in the opening night of Far Away at Theatre Junction. Thanks to Mark & Carol for the invitation. Having followed the story of the rebirth of the Grand for a couple of years now, it was great to be there, and to be transported "far away," at the opening show. Congratulations!

Famous Puppet Death Scenes - Thanks OYR & Old Trouts!

Terry Rock — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 11:56:52 -0500

A quick thank you to OYR for the invite to the opening night of Famous Puppet Death Scenes by The Old Trout Puppet Workshop. Congratulations to everyone involved for a fantastic show!