MEDIA ADVISORY
March 7, 2019

2019 event showcases youth artists and announces seven legacy artist award winners

(Calgary AB) – Calgary Arts Development and the Office of the Mayor welcome Calgary’s business and arts communities to the seventh annual Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 in the Palomino Ballroom (BMO Centre, Stampede Park).

Calgary Arts Development acknowledges the support of Strategic Group as the Champion Sponsor, Calgary Foundation as the Youth Arts Showcase sponsor, and ATB Financial and Calgary Foundation as VIP Table Sponsors at this year’s event. The 2019 Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions is officially sold-out.

Featuring remarks from Mayor Naheed Nenshi, the event is hosted by Dave Kelly and celebrates arts champions in our city.

“As arts champions, we can all use our hands, hearts, and minds to strengthen our community through the arts,” says Mayor Nenshi. “This is an incredibly exciting time and we can all support by attending, promoting, and investing in the arts in Calgary.”

“Every year we look forward to the Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions,” says Patti Pon, President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development. “It is a great event that recognizes people and organizations who celebrate the many ways artists and the arts contribute to building a great city.”

The occasion will also recognize recipients of this year’s Cultural Leaders Legacy Artist Awards. A legacy of Calgary’s year as a Cultural Capital of Canada, each award is funded by a contribution from a local philanthropist or organization with equal matching money from Calgary 2012. These awards are $5,000 cash prizes that support artists or arts organizations. The Cultural Leaders Legacy Artist Awards include:

• ATB Financial Healing Through the Arts Award
• Calgary Catholic Immigration Society New Canadian Artist Award
• Mamdani Arts Leadership Award
• RBC Emerging Artist Award
• Rozsa Foundation Emerging Arts Administrator Award
• SANDSTONE City Builder Award
• Doug and Lois Mitchell Outstanding Calgary Artist Award

There will be photo and footage opportunities for media at the event. The Mayor will be available immediately after the lunch for media questions and photos with the Cultural Leader Legacy Artist Award recipients.

Itinerary
Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Palomino Ballroom, BMO Centre, Stampede Park (20 Roundup Way SE)

Doors Open: 11:00am
Calgary Foundation Youth Arts Showcase: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Performing and visual art by Calgarians under age 21
Lunch and Program: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Photo and Footage Opportunity with the Mayor: 1:30pm

Tickets: The 2019 Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions is sold-out

In addition to Champion Sponsor Strategic Group, Youth Arts Showcase Sponsor Calgary Foundation, and VIP Table Sponsors ATB Financial and Calgary Foundation, we thank the following:

Arts Patron Table Sponsors:
Alberta University of the Arts
Aspen Properties
Brookfield Residential
Calgary Flames Foundation
CMLC
DIALOG
Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd.
TD Bank Group
TELUS
University of Calgary

Video Sponsor:
Nur Films

Floral Sponsor:
Peaseblossoms

More information is available at calgaryartsdevelopment.com/mayorslunch.

About Calgary Arts Development
As the city’s designated arts development authority, Calgary Arts Development supports and strengthens the arts to benefit all Calgarians. We invest and allocate municipal funding for the arts provided by The City of Calgary and leverage these funds to provide additional resources to the arts sector. Our programs support hundreds of arts organizations, individual artists, artist collectives, and ad hoc groups in Calgary.

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Further Information
Helen Moore-Parkhouse
Director, Communications and Engagement, Calgary Arts Development
Phone: (office) 403.264.5330 ext. 102; (mobile) 587.227.0150
Email: helen.moore-parkhouse@calgaryartsdevelopment.com