The language around granting is loaded. Even the word 'grant' as defined on dictionary.com speaks to the hierarchy and entitlement that is implied by the word and potentially the action.

something granted, as a privilege or right, a sum of money, or a tract of land.  read more »

The government of Ontario is stepping up to the plate in an impressively strong way.  Funding the shortfall of many of the city's large capital projects for the arts and re-defining seed funding through a new $15 million legacy grant for the one year old Luminato Festival.  Check out this article published in today's Toronto Star.

OK Alberta, the bar is set.

This Monday past, we held our Volunteer Appreciation Party, to recognise the work and contribution of the volunteers who work on our Granting Committee. It was held in Calgary Opera's Arrata Centre, a beautifully restored church in the Beltline district. Part of our entertainment that evening were the performances of two young artists, Whitney-Leigh Sloan and John Conlon, both of whom are participants in Calgary Opera's Emerging Artists Programme. The pair sang a duet and then each performed a solo.  read more »

This morning the Canada Council and Alberta Foundation for the Arts were in town to launch the Alberta Creative Development Initiative. This anticipated grant program will provide important new dollars for artists, arts administrators and organizations in Alberta. The program was established through a Canada Council Initiative driven by the Council's interest to increase participation from Alberta artists and organizations in their programs.  read more »

In May, 2007 the Canada Council announced the Alberta Creative Development Initiative, the a new $6 million grant program for Alberta arts organizations and artists in partnership with the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Calgary Arts Development and the Edmonton Arts Council. To support this program, and to increase the participation of Albertans and Western Canada in Canada Council programs, the Council is hiring a Program Officer for Western Canada. This Program Officer will be based in Edmonton with extensive travel to Calgary and throughout the Province.  read more »

The Major Community Facilities Enhancement Program's guidelines and application are available now on the Alberta Lotteries web site.

This new one-time program will provide total funding of $140 million over two years for the upgrade and development of indoor and outdoor community facilities in Alberta, including cultural facilities. Applicable projects can receive support for both planning and development of up to a potential $10 million.  read more »

Like many of my colleagues, I have been doing allot of thinking about articulating the value of the arts these days. The article published in the London Times yesterday "I'm Sick To Death of Meddling Philistines" by Sir John Tusa, author and managing director of the Barbican Centre in London provides, in his own words, ' a plea for common sense' in the constant requirement of arts professionals to justify the arts. I believe that Sir Tusa is not a voice in the wilderness but the voice of many and the start of an interesting conversation on creating 'valuable' arts policy.  read more »

You wrote it. you copied it, you delivered it... Congratulations. Thanks to all the people who came by to drop off their grants and to say hello. Our Grants Committee will be meeting to review all applications over the coming months and we will be be back to you in June with the final allocations.  read more »

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.]