Lauren Simms is responsible for the coordination and general operations of Calgary Arts Development's granting programs, as well as developing and maintaining the online grant interface. 

Prior to joining Calgary Arts Development, Lauren worked as Office Assistant to the Visual Resource Centre’s Curatorial team at the University of Calgary, taught classical ballet to children at Fun ‘n’ Dance (a community based dance school), and briefly served on the board of the Alberta Printmakers’ Society. While completing her B.F.A. Honours in Printmaking at the University of Calgary, Lauren volunteered as a print and installation assistant to visiting artists, Vice President of Finance for the University of Calgary Developmental Arts Society (D.A.R.T.S.), President of the U of C Art Club for Printmakers and President of the 2008 B.F.A. Graduating Class.

As a visual artist and filmmaker, Lauren has shown locally in group and solo exhibitions and in June 2009 Lauren exhibited for the first time internationally in a group print exhibition in Kyoto, Japan.