Alberta Arts Flood Rebuild Fund is doubling donors’ dollars
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
July 5, 2013
Suncor Energy Foundation providing $50,000 in matching money
(Calgary AB) – Donors interested in helping artists and arts organizations impacted by the recent southern Alberta floods can have their donations to the Alberta Arts Flood Rebuild Fund doubled, thanks to matching money provided by Suncor Energy Foundation. The fund was launched last Friday on InvestYYC.com, a crowdfunding platform for the arts, to raise money to help Alberta’s arts community rebuild in the aftermath of the floods. Donors can contribute on investyyc.com or email rebuild@calgaryartsdevelopment.com to donate by cash or cheque.
Suncor Energy Foundation will contribute $50,000 directly to the fund, and will match up to $50,000 in individual contributions. The contributions are part of Suncor Energy Foundation’s $1.5 million program to support flood-relief efforts in Southern Alberta. Matching funds will be applied retroactively to all existing donations. Since its launch last Friday, the fund has raised over $100,000, including Suncor Energy Foundation’s contribution and $40,000 pledged from Calgary Arts Development.
“The arts community has unique needs during a crisis like the Alberta floods. We’ve heard many stories of artists losing their homes, studios, artwork and equipment, with rebuild costs in the tens of thousands of dollars,” says Terry Rock, President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development. “This fund will be part of the process of repairing and rebuilding the financial and emotional toll of this disaster, and we are grateful to Suncor Energy Foundation for their prompt and significant support of Alberta’s arts community.”
Funds raised for the Alberta Arts Flood Rebuild Fund will be administered throughout southern Alberta by a partnership of government and community agencies whose mandates include direct support of artists and arts organizations. Several working groups are being established under the “Alberta Arts Rebuild” banner to ensure a coordinated response from over 35 agencies to the unique challenges facing the arts sector as it recovers from the floods. Preliminary assessments show that the greatest losses for the arts sector are related to cancellations or other lost revenue, displaced venues, and damage to artists’ studios and supplies.
Members of the community have also stepped up to support the Alberta Arts Flood Rebuild Fund, by donating proceeds from the following events to the fund:
▪ Until July 14: The Alberta Dance Alliance will be collecting donations at all performances in their Feats Festival of Dance.
▪ July 5, 8:00pm, All Saints Cathedral, Edmonton: Mercury Opera presents Operation Remedy, a night of multi genre music, song and dance to benefit Red Cross Alberta flood relief, and will raise money from a raffle for the Alberta Arts Flood Rebuild Fund.
▪ July 11 and 12, 7:00pm, Starlite Room, Edmonton: Alberta Music is hosting BAND TOGETHER, two nights of live music by a variety of Edmonton and Calgary talent.
▪ July 12, 9:00pm, Broken City: BIG presents a YYC Flood Relief & After-Party with Bob Log III, Von Zippers and the Rumble. Tickets $15.
▪ July 26, 6:30pm, Gerry Thomas Gallery: Gerry Thomas Gallery will be hosting a fundraiser with live music, tapas, and a silent auction.
▪ August 11, 8:00pm, Loose Moose Theatre: The Improv Guild will be hosting an improv show fundraiser.
About InvestYYC
InvestYYC is a crowdfunding and volunteer platform designed to assist local artists and non-profit arts, culture and heritage organizations with their fundraising efforts while simultaneously building momentum and audiences. For donors, InvestYYC provides a forum to make direct connections, both financially and participatory, to creative initiatives that are meaningful to them. InvestYYC is a major legacy initiative of the Cultural Capital in partnership with Calgary 2012, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, ATB Financial and Calgary Arts Development. More information at investyyc.com.
About Calgary Arts Development
Calgary Arts Development plays a leadership role to promote, foster and direct investments that develop the capacity of Calgary’s arts sector to achieve public and artistic impact. As the city’s designated arts development authority, we are a central hub that learns about, promotes, connects, advocates for, and leads strategic initiatives in the arts to animate Calgary as a vibrant cultural centre. Calgary Arts Development allocates municipal funding for the arts provided by The City of Calgary through granting programs that support operations and innovation for more than 190 arts organizations in Calgary.
-30-
Further Information
Cadence Mandybura
Community Manager, Calgary Arts Development
Phone: 403.585.5390
Email: cadence.mandybura@calgaryartsdevelopment.com
