Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions sells out for second year in a row
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
February 14, 2014
2014 event announces six legacy artist award winners and showcases youth artists
(Calgary AB) – Calgary Arts Development and the Office of the Mayor are pleased to announce that the second annual Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions is officially sold out. The event is held on Thursday, February 20, 2014 from 11:00am to 1:30pm in the Palomino Ballroom, BMO Centre, Stampede Park.
This year’s event, sponsored by TELUS, will begin with a youth showcase featuring Calgarian performers under age 24, including singers, musicians, circus artists and dancers. The lunch aims to inspire attendees to continue to be arts champions and highlight the many ways a vibrant arts sector contributes to building a vital city.
The occasion will recognize this year’s recipients of the Cultural Leaders Legacy Artist Awards. A legacy of Calgary’s year as a Cultural Capital of Canada, these awards are $5000 cash prizes that support artists or arts organizations in the following categories:
▪ ATB Financial Healing Through the Arts Award
▪ Calgary Catholic Immigration Society New Canadian Artist Award
▪ Doug & Lois Mitchell Outstanding Calgary Artist Award
▪ Enbridge Emerging Artist Award
▪ SANDSTONE City Builder Award
▪ William MacLachlan Community Beacon Award
Each Legacy Award is funded by a $10,000 contribution from a local philanthropist or organization with equal matching money from Calgary 2012, and will be awarded annually for four years with winners determined by a jury of peers. This is the second year for all the awards except for the ATB Financial Healing Through the Arts Award, which will be presented for the first time at this year’s lunch.
“By selling out this event for a second year in a row, we are demonstrating that we know how amazing our arts and culture sector truly is. However, we must do more to make the sector greater,” says Mayor Nenshi. “I look forward to coming together with current and potential arts champions to recommit our support and investment in this important element of our city.”
“We look forward to highlighting just some of Calgary’s many artistic creators at our second annual Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions,” says Patti Pon, President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development. “Artists and Calgary’s corporate community both contribute to our city’s drive and energy and fulfill valuable roles as arts champions.”
There will be photo and footage opportunities for media at the event. The Mayor will be available immediately after the lunch for media questions.
Event Schedule:
11:00am: Youth showcase
12:05pm: Welcome and Opening Remarks
(Dave Kelly, Event Host; Patti Pon, President & CEO, Calgary Arts Development; Dean Prodan, Chair, Calgary Arts Development)
12:40pm: Announcement of Cultural Leaders Legacy Artist Award recipients
(Karen Ball, Former Executive Director, Calgary 2012)
12:50pm: Champion Sponsor Address
(Andrea Goertz, Senior Vice-President, Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer, TELUS)
Panellists include His Worship Mayor Naheed K. Nenshi; Vern Kimball, CEO, Calgary Stampede; and Rebecca Northan, artist. Moderated by Dave Kelly.
1:15pm: Closing remarks
(His Worship Mayor Naheed K. Nenshi)
Further information is available at MayorsLunch.com.
Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Doors Open: 11:00am
Lunch and Program: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Palomino Ballroom, BMO Centre, Stampede Park (1410 Olympic Way SE)
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
Communications Liaison
Phone: 403.264.5330 ext. 201
Email: cadence.mandybura@calgaryartsdevelopment.com
