Calgary Arts Development Board Candidates
UPDATE: September 19, 2023
The deadline for nominations has been extended to September 30, 2023.
We acknowledge that the land we gather on, Mohkinsstsis, is the ancestral territory of the Siksikaitsitapi — the Blackfoot people — comprising the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani Nations, as well as Treaty 7 signatories, the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Îyârhe Nakoda Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations. Today this land is home to the Métis of Region 3 as well as many First Nations and Inuit peoples from across Turtle Island.
We acknowledge that there has been art, music, dance, storytelling and ceremony on this land since time immemorial and it is in the spirit of this land and its people that we do our work.
Who Are We?
Calgary Arts Development is our city’s designated arts development authority. We provide grant investments to hundreds of arts organizations, individual artists and arts groups. We value relationships, generosity, reciprocity, plain language and curiosity. In March 2021, The City of Calgary announced Calgary Arts Development as the future steward and operator for Calgary’s public art program.
We believe the arts have the power to build our city. Through the arts development strategy, Living a Creative Life, our vision is a creative, connected, prosperous Calgary where every resident has the opportunity to live a creative life. We foster a sustainable and resilient arts sector and support arts-led city building.
Our team adheres to the core values of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.
Equity. We believe in creating equitable access for Calgarians who have had less opportunity for philanthropic and governmental support due to systemic barriers that exist in our community. This means we strive to distribute power more equally in order to mitigate the advantages some people have over others.
Diversity.We believe in supporting a variety of artists and artistic endeavours that reflect our diverse community. This means we strive to put public funds to work for the public good, and by that we mean for the good of all people, not just some.
Inclusion.We believe in engaging diverse voices and perspectives in shaping and furthering all the work that we do. This means people feel like they belong because their knowledge, lived experience, participation and perspectives are welcomed and valued.
Accessibility. We believe in eliminating barriers that prevent people who encounter physical, mental or cultural barriers to spaces, programs and services from participating in the arts. This means we strive to increase our knowledge and actions through a commitment to disability justice.
Board Candidate Search
Calgary Arts Development seeks to appoint a number of new members to our board of directors to provide insight and foresight to the organization in support of the arts in Calgary for the benefit of all Calgarians.
Key responsibilities for the board of directors include:
- Strategic planning and policy development for Calgary Arts Development.
- Oversight of operating budgets, work plans, governance and risk management.
- Collaboration with the President & CEO to achieve established strategic goals.
- Regular attendance and participation at board and committee meetings.
- Attendance at Calgary Arts Development hosted or supported events as available.
- Participation on at least one Calgary Arts Development board committee.
Who Are You?
You are interested in the arts. Whether it is in your role as an artist, an arts attendee, an arts student, a volunteer, a donor, etc., you believe in the power of the arts to contribute to a better city for all.
You likely have some governance experience and are familiar with some part of Calgary’s arts sector. You are able to see the big picture and understand that multiple stakeholders and arts communities may have different and sometimes conflicting priorities.
You are passionate about the importance of the arts and creativity in our lives and are curious about different approaches and thinking. You believe that the work of Calgary Arts Development should represent and include the diversity and vibrancy of Calgarians and want to ensure that our systems are equitable and encourage inclusion and accessibility.
You’re not all things to all people, but you’re probably already a few of these things:
- You are familiar with processes around governance or volunteerism in the not-for-profit sector.
- You are aware of issues facing the arts in Calgary.
- You probably have experience with more than one of these areas but not all: strategy, planning, budgeting, arts leadership, artistic creation, public art, cultural industries, legal, HR, equity, diversity and inclusion, finance, technology.
- You have available time to commit to board meetings, participation on at least one board committee (with ensuing work required), and participation at an annual board retreat.
- You are interested in attending various arts events throughout the year (at our cost) and serving as a Calgary Arts Development ambassador in the community.
If you wish to apply for this volunteer opportunity, please submit a letter of interest and resume by September 30, 2023 at 4pm MT to boardnominations@calgaryartsdevelopment.com. Please note that this deadline has been extended from the original date of September 6, 2023. In this letter we ask that you answer the question, What role do you believe the Board plays in fostering equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
For those we wish to meet with, an interview will be scheduled and two professional references will be required.
For specific inquiries about the board of directors, please contact Nominating Committee Chair Kathleen McNally-Leitch through boardnominations@calgaryartsdevelopment.com and please put “Inquiry” in the subject line.
As indicated above, the role of board director is volunteer with no remuneration. Extraordinary expenses related to attending arts events on behalf of Calgary Arts Development will be covered, but nothing further will be considered unless approved by the board chair
Please visit CalgaryArtsDevelopment.com for more information, including financial statements, strategic framework and our current efforts to support the arts sector in Calgary.
