Patty packed extensive information on Calgary Arts Development in the short times she was given. Patti showed a short video to introduce her talk on “Living a Creative Life”. How do Calgarians manifest their creativity? The arts touch all sides of our lives. During covid everyone had to innovate and reinvent themselves. Calgarians leaned on the arts to help cope. It is a wonderful resource and comes from all different cultures, talents and socioeconomic levels. The arts build connection and community.
Patti acknowledged the elders on this land. A creative connected Calgary through the arts is the mission statement for Calgary Arts Development. She reminded us of the way the arts are part of our community and build our community and our identity. Since covid, our city needs our artists more than ever. The arts tell our stories and connect us to each other. It is a big part of how we live our lives and create our identity.
Calgary Arts Development (CADA) is a public agency, stewarding public dollars for public good. CADA is a facilitator, a connector, a bridge, and a funder. CADA has two strategic priorities: encouraging a sustainable and resilient arts sector, and arts-lead city building. The budget of $15,000,000 is used as follows: $12,000,000 is dedicated to grants and sponsorships and $3,000,000 is allocated to work with partners and collaborators to ensure a strong resilient community. Artists practise their creativity every day. CADA showcases the arts in Calgary using the video that was shown at the opening of Patti’s talk called “Living a Creative Life”. It is used to tell the story about the city’s “creatives”. There is also a web series that is lead by Adora Nwofor and a podcast series that is hosted by Sherry McMaster. Also, on the website there are written stories about creative Calgarians.
Here are some of the facts and figures. The Canadian arts sector in 2017 contributed $58.9 billion to the GDP which is 12% of the GDP of Canada. The Canadian arts sector employs 715,000 people. They are about to begin their 2018 – 2022 economic impact study. There are about 380 arts organizations in Calgary and CADA supports 170 of these organizations and hundreds of projects and artists. Locally, $134,000,000 was contributed by the arts community to Canada’s GDP (2017 study). Of that amount, $107,000,000 is specific to Alberta and mostly in Calgary. More interestingly is the return on taxes and revenue with direct and indirect revenue impact to the government of $16.6 million, the majority of this revenue is in GST but also some goes to the province and municipality. Patti notes that was the 2017 study and her budget at that time was $6,000,000, so the real impact contributed was several times higher the spending of $6,000,000.
The last two years have shown the value of the arts is so much more than facts and figures. They conducted a study to look at the impact of arts on our lives. They found that arts equals belonging. It creates connection, a way of telling our story, contributes to our well-being. It fosters equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. For example, September 30, 2021, was the first Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada and there was a beautiful art creation at City Hall to honor the children lost at Residential Schools.
Chinook Blast was held for the first time in February, 2021, and is an act of community expression to gather safely, to experience spectacle and to acknowledge our city as a winter city. It was a partnership of many Calgary organizations over three winter weekends and over 100,000 people participated. This is part of the creative economy.
Covid played a role in the last two years. In March of 2020 the curtains went down. CADA and other organizations took on a research project to see when Calgarians would be ready to come back to attend the arts and sports. It showed that there was a huge desire to return but only if it feels safe.
Also, with the same partners, “Rise Up YYC” created the safe site events where outdoors, local artists kept the arts present during COVID. Chinook Blast, the second edition, is also going to happen this year and CADA has partnered again. They also created a live event industry protocol manual available to anyone to keep arts events safe.
The creative economy is the fastest growing economy in the world and CADA is developing a strategy to make sure that Calgary takes advantage of this.
Resources to Learn more about YYC Arts
On Zoom, the question was asked by Chris Davis if CADA and other supporters of the arts requested Calgary Council to triple or quadruple its funding to CADA. It was doubled previously. Is there a good business case to increase this? Patty repeated some the economic arguments already presented, but it is the well-being and quality of life that she emphasized for Calgarians as Calgary’s best kept secret.
No more time for questions, but, as promised, see Patti’s answers to your questions from the chat.
Q and A from Zoom
Bill Fitzsimmons to everyone
Performing Arts continue to be impacted by covid. What support would you like to see for those employed in the performing arts?
Would it make more sense to invest in arts infrastructure rather than questionable public art chosen by a committee?
Me to Everyone (12:45 PM)
Not only the employees but also the sector overall would welcome audiences returning to their shows when people feel safe. Also, if you are a donor or supporter as a volunteer, please don’t stop.
As for arts infrastructure, there are some outstanding projects in the pipeline. The funds that support these projects are a different envelope than those designated for public art, which we have just been awarded to lead in March, 2021. We are drinking from the fire hose as we transition the program from the city. What I can tell you, however, is that there is a 100-year history of public art in Calgary with over 200 pieces installed in the public realm and 1400 more pieces that comprise the City of Calgary collection. We will work hard to ensure public art for the public good that enhances the great infrastructure we have here and are building.
Chris D - Fort Mac to Everyone (12:35 PM)
Patti - on the Creative Calgary website, they mention some of the candidates "xxxx platform does not include a positive position on the arts." Do you know what that means?
Chris, I don’t know what that means for Creative Calgary…They are a separate entity from us, so I don’t know the specifics of their remarks. I’d encourage you to reach out to them directly if you wish.
Pat to Everyone (12:39 PM)
Bill and I attended The Chinook Blast last winter. It was very well done and we look forward to going again
Thanks so much Pat. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Chris D - Fort Mac to Everyone (12:40 PM)
Thanks, Patti, for your long-standing service to the arts community in Calgary and Alberta.
Me to Everyone (12:40 PM)
Thank you very much everyone!
Regards, Patti
New member Mona Wasfy gave the thanks of the club and her own thanks since she was used to a vibrant arts community where she previously lived and now has new information about Calgary’s. An honorarium on Patti Pon’s behalf will be donated to Shelterbox.
Induction
Now for the induction of our first new member of the Rotary year. President Marlene called forward to the podium Kurt Schurer, DG Martin Parnell and Jean Claude Munyezamu. Kurt introduced Jean Claude with a short lesson on how to pronounce his last name and DG Parnell gave the charge.
Jean Claude’s wife, Christine Karebwayire, was present and was asked to come forward so pictures could be taken. Jean Claude thanked the club saying it was a privilege to join and looked forward to working with us as a club because we are involved in the community. Sports and participation are important, and he is looking forward to contributing. Welcome Jean Claude!
Announcements
Ken Montgomery 70 items now contributed to the Eclectic Auction. An arrangement with an auction house has been made for delivery of the items and Ken will update us soon.
Don Edie As our treasurer and chairperson, Don reported that we are in 4th place for funding for the Move for Polio campaign which is coming to an end October 26.
Linda Anderson announced that she is preparing for the 2022-2023 year and, if you would like to serve, please give Linda a call.
Gail Williams announced that the “Never Too Late” graduation took place with 10 grads in total. A Rotary scholarship was presented to one of the graduates, Matraca Foley. She has been accepted at Bow Valley College in their Software Development Diploma Program and is starting in the winter semester. Her goal is to work in computer programming and software development. A strong, resilient indigenous woman.
Robyn Braley announced “Rotary Remembers”. It will be a hybrid meeting to be held at the Carriage House Inn on November 11 with the program starting at 10:30 am with speaker Tom Leppard, BA, MA (Canadian History), followed by lunch at noon. Register online at rotary5360.ca for in person ($35) or livestream (no cost). Proof of vaccination is required at the door. Register by November 4 for in person. Due to COVID, no walk-ins.
President Marlene announced that $300 was donated to the Poppy Fund, but this has been corrected.
Our club donated $300 which is our contribution to cover the costs associated with Rotary Remembers. Any remaining funds after expenses will be donated to the Calgary Legion Poppy Fund.
President Marlene’s Thank you!
- Team 4 Team Captain- Debbie McMillan
Greeters– Bernie Ward and Barbie Hames
Zoom host– Bill Lawless and Orlin McMillan
Speaker – Intro – Rob Rakochey – Thank you – Mona Wasfy
Meeting support – David Williams, Gord Cox and Karl Herzog
- Thank you to Debbie McMillan, Barbie Hames, Tim Anderson and Helen and Lawrence King for organizing a wonderful celebration to thank Past Presidents Gerry Meek and Bill Fitzsimmons
- Thanks to Garfield Ganong and the members of team 3 for a relaxing get together yesterday to enjoy fellowship and incredible fall weather
- Calgary West was well represented at the Grants Qualification Seminar on Saturday – we had nine members in attendance. Thanks to Bill Fitzsimmons, Steve Kuiack, Judy Cochran, Bob Acton, Vivian Jones, David Mills, Marie Rickard, Gail Williams and Marlene Doherty.
- Thanks to DG Martin Parnell and Christine for joining us today and to Les Morgan and the membership committee for coordinating our induction ceremony. Kurt Schurer was presented with a Rotary Sponsor Pin and thanks for proposing Jean Claude for membership in Calgary West.
- When DG Martin Parnell visited our club on August 9 he asked what we were going to do to celebrate our 55th charter night. In keeping with the 50’s theme, on June 10, 2022, the club will have a sock hop and a passing of the gavel by our president. We hope DG Martin will join us!
Building Community
On Saturday, both Gail Williams and Marie Rickard made presentations as respective members of the District Grants Subcommittee - Gail as chair of Reports Monitoring and Marie as chair of Peace Fellowships.
It is my pleasure to present Gail and Marie with our Building Community pin for their service and commitment to the District. Gail has devoted at least nine years as Grants Monitor and is stepping back in December and Marie is serving in her fourth year of Peace fellowships. Thank you for your extraordinary commitment to our District.
We then saw the 4 Way Test Video and in keeping with our 4-way test and our District Privacy Protection Policy President Marlene announced that all Clubrunner emails are for the exclusive purpose of Rotary business and the collection and management of personal information is for the use of members only.
Upcoming Meetings
Finish Line – one week remaining for Move for Polio. On Tuesday Oct.26, at noon join the Celebration zoom meeting with speaker John Nanni, Rotarian and Polio Survivor presented by the Rotary Calgary Club. No registration required just join with the link on our website: Move for Polio Celebration
November is Foundation Month. Don’t miss Dean Rohr's kick off on Nov. 1 zoom or in person.
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