Alberta Foundation for the Arts pledges $50,000 in matching funding to Alberta Arts Flood Rebuild Fund
NEWS RELEASE
July 10, 2013
Alberta Foundation for the Arts pledges $50,000 in matching funding to Alberta Arts Flood Rebuild Fund
(Calgary AB) – Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) today pledged $50,000 in matching funding for individual donations to the Alberta Arts Flood Rebuild Fund. The $500,000 goal of the Fund is to raise money for Alberta’s arts community to rebuild in the aftermath of the 2013 floods.
This is the second such pledge received by Calgary Arts Development for the Alberta Arts Flood Rebuild Fund since its launch on June 28 on investyyc.com. AFA joins Suncor Energy Foundation who announced a $100,000 commitment, which includes a $50,000 matching component.
Money raised for the Fund will be administered throughout Alberta by a partnership of government and community agencies whose mandates include direct support of artists and arts organizations. Donors can visit InvestYYC.com or, to donate by cash or cheque, email rebuild@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.
“Preliminary assessments show the greatest losses for the arts sector relate to cancellations or other lost revenue, displaced venues, and damage to artists’ studios and supplies,” says Terry Rock, President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development. “Many artists lost everything, their homes, studios, artwork, equipment… by easing the financial and emotional toll we hope to help put Alberta artists back to work.”
The AFA contribution symbolizes that rebuilding from the flood will require a close partnership among all orders of government, businesses, non-profits, artists and individuals.
“Our Foundation supports and contributes to the development of the arts in Alberta,” added Mark Phipps, Chair of Alberta Foundation for the Arts. “We hope this funding will encourage corporate and individual donations to this important cause.”
“Arts and culture play such a valuable role in the lives of Albertans,” explains Hon. Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Culture for the Government of Alberta. “As part of the healing process, we must work together to help our artists rebuild and make our communities stronger than before.”
Calgary Arts Development has organized a three-site tour illustrating the impact of the flood on the Alberta arts community on Wednesday, July 10th. Guests include: Hon. Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Alberta Culture; and Calgary Arts Development representatives Col Cseke (board member), Patti Pon (incoming President & CEO) and Terry Rock (current President & CEO). Media are invited to attend the tour.
▪ 12:50 – 1:30pm: Visit artist studios in Bowness (inquire for precise addresses)
▪ 1:50 – 2:10pm: Visit Green Fools (2404 Erlton Rd. SW) and Impro Depot (2405 Macleod Tr. S)
▪ 2:30 – 3:15pm: Funding announcement (Art Central, 100 7th Ave. SW)
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.
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Further Information
Cadence Mandybura
Community Manager, Calgary Arts Development
Phone: 403.264.5330 x 201; cell 403.585.5390
Email: cadence.mandybura@calgaryartsdevelopment.com
