AAC Annual General Report 2013

2013

Annual Report

A L L I E D A R T S C O U N C I L O F L E T H B R I D G E

The Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge provides leadership in advancing and enhancing the arts in Lethbridge.

Table of Contents

Vision A Vibrant Arts Community enriches Lethbridge.

Mission

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2013 President’s Report

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None of these initiatives would be possible without the

efforts of a strong Board of Directors, the support of

an enthusiastic and devoted staff and the contributions

of our major funders, donors and volunteers.

Last year was a busy year for the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge (AAC) as we continued to focus our efforts on initiatives that enhance and grow the arts in our Community.

The opening of the new arts centre, Casa, is perhaps the most significant council accomplishment of the year as it represents the vision, determination and years of effort by many artists, arts organizations and arts supporters. The official opening of the building on May 14 was attended by approximately 1,500 people who were delighted by the bright and spacious environment of this tremendous addition to the downtown core. Casa is unique in its conception as a civic facility that was purpose-built for creating and presenting arts of all disciplines.

Even as we celebrate Casa and the richness it adds to our community, the AAC board and staff recognize the need to complete a cultural corridor in downtown Lethbridge through the addition of a much needed theatre space. The AAC, as well as many other individuals and organizations, were able to champion the need for a new performing arts theatre to City Council during its Capital Improvement Program process in April 2013. Council kept the potential project on the books when they approved $10 million in future funding for a theatre. Although this funding is contingent on raising the balance of the required dollars, the City of Lethbridge Council’s commitment allows the AAC and the larger community an opportunity to continue to pursue the much required building.

The AAC was engaged in two important arts advocacy activities in 2013. In the fall of 2013 the AAC developed and circulated a Municipal Election Survey focused on the arts to each of the candidates vying for a position on the new City Council. The information that was gathered in the survey was shared with the AAC membership and was available on the AAC website thus providing each of the candidates an opportunity to share their arts platform with the voting public.

The other significant advocacy initiative was the on-going Economic Impact of the Arts Study. Data collection was completed for the study that was initiated by the Board of Directors in 2012. Information provided by self-identified artists allowed us to develop a profile of Lethbridge’s arts community as well as allowing us to develop information on the positive contributions the arts sector makes to the Lethbridge economy. We were extremely pleased with the participation of the AFA in the project. Not only were they able to provide data and an endorsement for the Lethbridge study; we were also able to analyze our data using multipliers that are consistent with previous AFA economic impact studies. A final comprehensive report will be ready for distribution in the fall of 2014.

In addition to the opening of Casa and the two major advocacy initiatives, the AAC continued to manage its ongoing activities. These included strong communication and arts promotion strategies and the delivery of projects that support artists and arts organizations while increasing awareness of the arts in the community. Members of the Board of Directors and the staff also demonstrated their support for the larger arts community through their attendance at member and community arts events throughout the year.

In June 2013 members of the AAC Board and staff travelled to Red Deer with representatives from the City of Lethbridge to participate in the Lieutenant Governor General Arts Awards Celebration. We were delighted to be present to hear the official announcement of Lethbridge being named the host city for the awards in 2015. Planning this celebration and a supporting youth focused arts festival will be one of many initiatives that AAC provides leadership for.

1 R e p o r t s1 R e p o r t s2 R e p o r t s

None of these initiatives would be possible without the efforts of a strong Board of Directors, the support of an enthusiastic and devoted staff and the contributions of our major funders, donors and volunteers. I would like to thank the AAC staff for their work during the last year which allowed for the successful opening of Casa as well as the maintenance of our on-going programs. I would also like to express appreciation to our major funders – the City of Lethbridge, the Province of Alberta, the Government of Canada and our many corporate, media and individual donors. No organization can function without committed volunteers and the AAC is no exception. We are extremely thankful for the assistance of the many individuals who donated time in 2013 to help with the opening of Casa as well as other AAC projects and programs. I must also recognize the efforts of the Board of Directors who volunteer their time and talents to guiding the strategic direction of the AAC thus ensuring its continued success.

On a sad note, I would also like to acknowledge the loss of a number of AAC members who greatly contributed to the arts community – Shirley DeBow, former AAC Board Director; Peter Green, photographer and Robert Croskery, painter.

Looking back on 2013 is inspiring with a year of accomplishments for the AAC and the arts community. We anticipate, with great enthusiasm, further accomplishments in the years to come as we continue our efforts to grow the arts in Lethbridge.

Kris HodgsonPresident, Board of Directors

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The past year was a time of change and growth for the Allied Arts

Council, precipitated by the completion of the new community

arts centre. Opening Casa presented great challenges as well as

great rewards as we worked to maintain on-going programming

while adding new and expanded programs for the facility.

The first quarter of 2013 was spent in planning the logistics of

moving from the Bowman Arts Centre, a home the arts community

had occupied for almost 40 years, to Casa. The sourcing and

ordering of equipment, the hiring of staff, refining operational

guidelines and the move and setup of Casa were collaboratively

managed by the AAC administrative staff and Bowman program

staff.

One of the most impactful changes to the AAC operations

resulting from the opening was the almost 78% increase in

staff members. Operating a facility with the square footage and

extended operational hours of Casa requires a large number

of competent employees. We are extremely fortunate to have

been able to assemble such a work force and are delighted how

they have solidified into a team. I am pleased to report that

Casa’s Facility Manager, Education Coordinator and Curator/

Gallery Services Coordinator with support from an administrative

assistant, receptionists, facility technicians, facility attendants

and custodians have very successful managed the phenomenal

growth in the respective programs that have occurred because of

the move to Casa.

The opening of Casa has also impacted operations at the 7th

Street office and our administrative duties. A new Point-of-Sale

system, an expanded payroll, increased accounts payable and

receivables and increased ticket and merchandise sales created

increased responsibilities for the finance portfolio in 2013. Added

responsibilities were also required of the Communications and

Projects portfolios.

In addition to the management of ongoing communications

including media, publications and community outreach initiatives;

the AAC undertook the planning of a communications strategy for

Casa. A community consultation group working with a facilitator,

graphic artist and web designer were involved in the first step of

the process: to develope a brand including a new logo for Casa.

The Communications Coordinator was then responsible for the

development of all communications tools from web design to

stationary, business cards and promotional program guides. The

Coordinator also developed and implemented a comprehensive

plan to promote Casa’s grand opening.

The focus of the Projects Portfolio for the first part of 2013 was the

Casa Grand Opening. The opening celebration included a Ribbon

Cutting Ceremony and Reception on May 14, 2013, guided facility

tours and a week of events that showcased the program potential

of Casa. The Projects Coordinator also managed the ongoing

AAC activities including our annual membership campaign, the

Mayor’s Luncheon for Business and the Arts, and Arts Days. The

coordinator was also responsible for the management of a variety

of artist’s opportunities such as the Bookkeeping and Tax Session

for Artists, the Farmers Market Table project and the Library

Showcase project.

Despite the expanded responsibilities created by the opening

of Casa, the AAC staff continue to participate in a number of

initiatives that increase awareness of the arts in Lethbridge. AAC

staff members participate on a number of community committees

including the Heart of the City committee, Economic Development

Lethbridge’s Team Lethbridge and the Tourism Joint Promotions

Program. We are also involved in the City of Lethbridge Public Art

Program both as participants on the Public Art Committee and as

managers of selection committees and processes.

I would like to thank and congratulate the AAC staff and volunteers

for their dedication and hard work in 2013. As we move forward in

2014, we will continue to diligently work to meet the requirements

of our funders, the City of Lethbridge and the AFA while supporting

the strategic initiatives of the AAC Board of Directors as they work

to enhance the arts in Lethbridge.

Suzanne Lint,

Executive Director

2013 Executive Director’s Report

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I would like to thank and congratulate the AAC

staff and volunteers for their dedication and hard

work in 2013.

4 C o m m u n i c a t i o n s

CommunicationsThe Allied Arts Council utilizes a combination of traditional and digital media to

communicate with our membership and the community at large. Our communications

efforts focus on advocating the value of the arts to the larger community.

PublicationsThe AAC continues to be committed to promoting the arts to

the public by publishing a number of publications which are

distributed to the AAC membership as well as to the broader

public.

The ArtsBridge magazine is published twice yearly and builds

awareness of the arts by examining the past, present and future

of the arts in Lethbridge. The magazine is theme-based; the

Spring/Summer edition celebrated the opening of Casa. The

Fall/Winter edition examined “Arts from Outside”; the people,

places and influences that have helped shape Lethbridge’s arts

community. 2013 editions of ArtsBridge included contributions

from the AAC staff, board and membership, as well as members

of arts organizations, artists, musicians, poets, dancers,

architects, and City of Lethbridge staff.

The AAC published the sixth edition of the Arts Directory in

2013. The directory is the go-to publication for information

on Lethbridge arts, including information on artists, groups,

businesses, classes, supplies and much more. The directory

also included a public art map that can be used for self-guided

arts tours.

With the opening of Casa in May of 2013, the AAC also

coordinated the production of the Casa program guides.

The guides are released three times yearly: Winter (January

– April), Spring/Summer (May – August) and Fall (September –

December). Guides include class information and descriptions

as well as event, facility and rental information.

Online & Social MediaCommunications has slowly become more and more digitized and the Allied Arts Council is following this trend by doing a significant

amount of communications through online and social media. We manage two websites, three facebook pages, two twitter accounts,

two Instagram accounts, a google plus page, two YouTube channels and a Bi-monthly e-newsletter. Overall we have seen an

increase in engagement online from year to year, and continue to build and support our mission through online media.

2013An average of 4 unique arts events from AAC members are promoted online per week.

www.artslethbridge.org had 14,095 page visits in 2013, and 8600 unique visitors.

The Online Arts Calendar promoted 219 unique arts events in 2013.

PROMOTING THE ARTS

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Media PartnershipsThe Allied Arts Council continues to build on our media relationships

in the community. We are grateful of all the time and effort that our

media partners put into maintaining our strong partnerships.

We continue to partner with 94.1 CJOC on two unique arts

campaigns: Art Moments & Art Tracks. Art Moments provide

information on arts issues and initiatives in the community, and Art

Tracks provide on-air promotion for AAC member arts events.

The AAC also maintains a partnership with the Lethbridge Herald on

the “Share your Stories” Column. The Herald generously donates

space for a column for AAC members to share news, events, and

articles relating to the arts, weekly in the Friday Paper.

Several other media organizations including: Global Television,

Shaw Television, CTV Lethbridge, LAbeat, The Endeavor, The

Meliorist, Lethbridge Living, Quirk, CKXU 88.3, The River 107.7/Rock

106.7, B93.3/Country 95.5, CKVN 98.1 have generously provided

Non-Profit rates or media coverage for our organization, making it

possible for us to communicate with our greater community.

Promotions and PartnershipsCity of Lethbridge Recreation and Culture Guide: Each month, the AAC provides four pages in the Recreation and Culture Guide for the promotion of events, membership features and

general Lethbridge arts information.

Lethbridge Public Library Display Cases: The AAC and the Lethbridge Public Library continue our partnership which provides AAC member organizations the use of display cases

to promote their art, events and programming.

AAC Display Board: Members of the AAC had the opportunity to advertise arts events in the AAC display boards, located outside the AAC office and at Casa.

Passers-by stop to view poster boards to find out what’s coming up in Lethbridge’s art scene. In 2013, over 180 posters were displayed.

Art @ the Farmers Market Booth: The Allied Arts Council rented a booth at the 2013 Farmers Market from May to October and made it available for AAC members to rent

at a significantly lower cost. Member were able to sell art work, promote upcoming events, sell tickets, do demonstrations and inform the

larger community of their activities.

Exhibition Opportunities: The Allied Arts Council has the use of three exhibition spaces downtown, and provides members with an opportunity to display work on

a rotating basis. Royal LePage, The AAC office, and the Joan Waterfield Gallery at the Yates allow artists to showcase work for up to six

months at a time.

Tax Workshop for Artists: The AAC continues to work with Volution LLP Tax annually to present tax workshops for artists, giving them the opportunity to learn about

basic bookkeeping and preparing income tax returns for self-employed artists.

Ray Jolliffe Memorial Scholarship: The AAC works with the Lethbridge Community Foundation and the Jolliffe family annually to facilitate the application and jury process for the

Ray Jolliffe Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship provides financial support to a student pursuing study in the field of “Theatre Production

Design and Management” and/or “Television Production and Design.” In 2013, the scholarship was awarded to Taisa Chernichko, who is

studying at University of Lethbridge.2013

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2013 Mayor’s Luncheon For Business and the Arts

Mayor’s Luncheonfor business and the arts

On September 19, 2013 the AAC hosted a sold out 8th annual Mayors Luncheon for Business and

the Arts at the Lethbridge Lodge. The Luncheon is a celebration of the relationship between the

business community, civic government, and the arts community and includes an awards presentation

that recognizes the achievements of individuals, organizations and businesses who have contributed to

the arts vibrancy of our city.

The Luncheon was attended by 240 arts supporters who saw the AACE & Joan Waterfield awards

presented to four dedicated arts supporters.

Allied Arts Council Excellence Awards recipients:

Nominated by: YWCA & Womanspace

Mike Spencer created a space for musicians to perform and for people who

love music to come together and enjoy an intimate live venue. This effort has

grown into the Geomatic Attic, where not only local bands and musicians can

perform, but is a venue that can host and present music that would otherwise

not have an opportunity to perform in our City. The Geomatic Attic supports

artists and inspires community members to come together to enjoy music.

2013 Business Recipient: Mike Spencer Geometrics

Nominated by: Potemkin Collective, Burning Ground Studios, Theatre Outre

Peter Fiorino has a genuine love of the Arts, and for many years

has helped by providing spaces for artists to work, display, and

perform at affordable prices. Pete’s work behind the scenes is

an important part of the strength of our arts community. Peter

says “art is life, without art, we have nothing”

2013 Individual Recipient: Pete Fiorino

6 M a y o r ’ s L u n c h

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Nominated by: City of Lethbridge Recreation & Culture

The Rotary Club’s investment into the building of Casa

and the Rotary Square was an essential and significant

contribution. The Rotary Club recognized the importance of

investing in the arts and the value that an inviting downtown

gathering place has for Lethbridge. The Rotary Club of

Lethbridge’s contribution was illustrative of what it means

to be an Allied Arts Council Excellence award recipient, and

their investment in the square at Casa will have an impact on

our community for years to come.

2013 Service Organization Recipient: Rotary Club of Lethbridge

M a y o r ’ s L u n c h 7

Joan Waterfield Award recipient

Peggy Mezei, University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music

The Joan Waterfield Memorial Award is a peer to peer award recognizing outstanding contribution to the arts in Lethbridge.

This year’s winner, Peggy Mezei, of the University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music, exemplifies the awards intent to

give credit to individuals who demonstrate long term commitment to nourishing the arts in Lethbridge. Peggy’s work with

the University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music has had far reaching benefits. As an artist, leader, mentor, advocate and

educator, Peggy’s work helped make the participation of the conservatory in Casa a reality resulting in long lasting music

opportunities for the community.

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Lethbridge Arts Days was held at the end of September in conjunction with Alberta Culture Days and the Canada

wide National Culture Days. Arts Days is a week-long celebration of the arts in Lethbridge. Lethbridge Arts Days

provides a unique opportunity to showcase and share the talents of our member artists and arts organizations.

In 2013, Arts Days included the participation of more than 200 artists from a variety of disciplines. Funding received

from Canadian Heritage – Building Communities, Alberta Culture, the City of Lethbridge Heart of Our City, along

with several corporate sponsors provided us an opportunity to create a platform for artists to perform and showcase

their work in Lethbridge.

The 9th annual Artwalk included over 50 artists in storefronts and businesses in the downtown core, and several

artist studios. An artisan market provided space for artists and artisans to sell their work in a central location along

the Artwalk route, street performers and musicians performed along the route helping to engage audiences and liven

our downtown core.

The Allied Arts Council collaborated with several Lethbridge arts organizations to include their events in our program

adding to the diversity of the festival. Promoted member events included Drama Nutz Cabaret “Live in Lethbridge”,

Lethbridge Public Library “Word on the Street”, The Geomatic Attic concert “Little Miss Higgins”, Lethbridge

Symphony Orchestra’s “Chamber Series 1”, Alberta Media Arts Alliance series “Prairie Tales”, The Southern Alberta

Art Gallery Pancake Breakfast, Galt Museum & Archives Sculpture Show, The University of Lethbridge TheatreXtra

Production “Down From Heaven”, and a Gallery Stroll including SAAG,The Trianon, Casa Gallery, The U of L Penny

Building Gallery, and Geomatic Attic Gallery.

Christmas at CasaOn November 22 & 23 the Allied Arts Council hosted the first Christmas at Casa seasonal

art market. The market consisted of 21 unique vendors including individual artists, guilds and

collectives selling art in a variety of mediums including: photography, pottery, textiles, weaving,

paintings, wood-work, jewellery and sculpture.

Lethbridge Arts Days 2013

8 A r t s D a y s

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With the opening of Casa this year we were able to expand our Arts Days Programming and add new events like the Family Affair on

the Square. This event was a family friendly day filled with art activities and live music. In addition to local singer-songwriters and up

and coming local bands, we were able to include performances by the Community Taiko Drummers, the University of Lethbridge Low

Brass Ensemble, and the Lethbridge Irish Dance Academy, thus enabling these organizations to perform their work in a new venue

to new audiences. Over 400 people took part in the event and we look forward to building on the success of this new initiative in the

upcoming years.

Overall attendance during Arts Days was approximately 4500 and we continue to appreciate the growth and opportunity that this

festival has in increasing the appreciation for the arts Lethbridge.

Arts Days . 2013

The event was held in conjunction with the Bright Lights Festival,

MADE Sale, and the moonlight madness in downtown Lethbridge

which added to the festive atmosphere of the sale. Also adding to

the atmosphere was the Casa Café which provided shoppers and

vendors an opportunity to enjoy a snack and a beverage.

Attendance at the event was approximately 1500 over the two days

and we look forward to building on the success of this year’s sale

and growing Christmas at Casa into one of the most anticipated

Christmas shows in the City.

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Grand Opening

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On May 14, 2013 Casa, Lethbridge’s new community arts centre opened its

doors to the public. The Allied Arts Council worked with the City of Lethbridge

to celebrate the Grand Opening with a week-long celebration of the arts.

The opening day consisted of a VIP reception, public tours, ribbon cutting,

speeches, and open studios. It was an opportunity to celebrate the hard

work of all the individuals who put tireless hours in to making Casa a reality,

as well as showcase what Casa has to offer to our community.

Our celebration continued throughout the week with a performance series

including original dance pieces by Intrinzic Dance & Nehiyah Iskwewak

Collective called “Dance comes Home”, an original Theatre Production

written by Jeremy Mason entitled “The Death of Vaudeville and Other

Stories”, and a concert presented by Geomatic Attic featuring Oscar Lopez.

A total of approximately 400 people attended these performances during

opening week.

The inaugural gallery exhibition “Transitions and Transformation” featured

34 Lethbridge and area artists who produced work in a variety of mediums.

The opening exhibition drew approximately 200 guests to Casa.

The final day of our celebration consisted of a “Party on the Plaza” concert.

This concert was free to the public and featured several Lethbridge and

area performers. The inclement weather brought the Party inside, but the

community room at Casa was a more than capable backup plan for the

performances.

After almost twenty years of work the Allied Arts Council and the citizens

of Lethbridge at large are finally getting an opportunity to see what our arts

community can do with increased and improved arts space. The opening

activities saw more than 3000 people visit Casa, and we are looking forward

to seeing what the future holds for this new facility.

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Facility

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ROOM VISITS PARTICIPANTS GROUPS DESCRIPTION

Community Room 80 9769 57 Recitals, musical performances, films, photo presentations, workshops, artist residencies, training and info sessions, meetings, art sales, social events, dance performances & theatre productions

Meeting Rooms 80 1046 21 Meetings, AGMs, rehearsals, info sessions, polling station, speech arts, recitals, interviews

Dance Studio 158 2491 11 Ballet, ethnic dance, healing movement, interpretive dance, yoga, martial arts

2D Classroom 37 281 2 Visual art classes, art wellness programs

3D Studio 4 80 1 Workshops

Textile Room 4 60 1 Workshops

Atrium 2 120 2 Filming, music jam session

Upper Patio 1 25 1 Meet & mix

Rotary Square 3 500 3 Social interest rally, festival, pancake breakfast

Casa Bookings June - December 2013

The first quarter of 2013 found staff focused on preparations for the

move out of the Bowman Arts Centre and into Casa. Many hours

went into planning and orchestrating the move. Staff numbers grew

from three full-time and one part-time employees at the Bowman to

six full-time and six part-time employees at Casa. There was a two

week window to make the transition and with the unbelievable efforts

of staff and volunteers it went very well. New staff worked at Casa

assembling equipment and furnishings while existing staff packed up

the Bowman.

At least fifteen hundred people attended the Casa Grand Opening on

May 14, 2013 with many others enjoying specifically planned opening

week events. The number of people accessing Casa continues to

be impressive with most months realizing over eight thousand visits.

Approximately 800 people have been given guided tours of Casa

since it opened in May 2013. Fifty-two individual artists purchased

yearly Studio Access passes in 2013 and are regularly using studio

spaces and there are close to twenty art related groups booking

space at Casa either on a weekly or monthly basis. Most bookable

space is utilized daily during peak hours by art, non-art groups and

the Conservatory of Music. Highlight bookings during the first nine

months of operations include Jazz Festival, a Flood Relief Concert,

the Girls Rock Camp, the College Fashion Design program’s

Fashion Show, the University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music

Donor Appreciation reception and the Tuba Christmas. Having the

University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music at Casa adds yet

another art element to the centre and their presence continues to be

very positive. The Conservatory employs approximately fifty music

teachers and has over eight hundred students.

Moving into a new building comes with many challenges. The typical

construction deficiencies that are associated with the building of a large

facility have been and continue to be a concern. They are however

being addressed and we are confident issues today will not be issues

tomorrow. Challenges aside, Casa is a wonderful facility which is

being well used and is greatly appreciated by the community.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

EducationProviding strong skill building programs was an integral part of

the education programming at the Bowman Arts Centre and this

program focus has continued since the move to Casa. With a new

building, filled with more artist and classroom space, we have

seen our enrollment numbers surpass our numbers from 2012.

Our strong education program includes classes for children, youth

and adults as well as community outreach programs. Classes

range from drawing, painting, and photography to stained

glass, cartooning and book binding. During May and June of

2013 we offered a series of “samplers” allowing people to take

a smorgasbord of lessons in various arts disciplines. These

samplers provided a great opportunity for community members to

try different arts activities at an affordable price without the need to

commit to a particular class. Many of the students who participated

in the sampler classes subsequently enrolled in regular classes.

As always our clay classes have remained in-demand, with

classes being consistently at capacity. We are working to offer

more opportunities to study both clay handbuilding and the clay

wheel for both beginners and advanced students.

In addition to our regular classes we continue to grow our community

outreach programming. Our special needs programming remains

at capacity providing many arts opportunities for adults with special

needs. Our RAW program, which provides arts opportunities for

members of our community that battle poverty and homelessness,

has grown substantially since moving to Casa. This program now

under the umbrella of the Housing First initiative has been joined

by programs at Brassard House and a program for at risk youth.

In each of these our dedicated core of artist instructors help

individuals find meaningful daily activities and expression through

the arts. The feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly

positive and the program is consistently referred to as a highlight

in their week.

As the education programming has been developed and refined

in the last nine months we

have added two new artist

opportunities. Our Artist

Partnerships foster creative

development by combining

community inspired ideas

with Casa administrative and

facility resources. Proposals

for classes and workshops are

generated and delivered by individual artists or arts organizations

from all disciplines and are available to local as well as visiting

artists. There have been over 45 Artist Partnerships programmed

since May.

Our residency program provides an opportunity for artists from all

disciplines to pursue their own work in a supportive, community-

based atmosphere. It is open to artists from all backgrounds and

at any stage in their development, including recent high school

graduates, amateurs, and emerging or established professionals.

During an artist’s residency they have access to Casa for their

work and in exchange showcase their skills in free workshops or

presentations for the public. To date eight residencies have been

held at Casa.

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SUMMER CLASS STATISTICS

Total # Run Classes ................ 74

Total # Students ........................ 493

Average/Class ............................. 6.7

TOTAL # SINGLE SESSION

SAMPLER Classes .................... 48

Total # Students ........................ 287

Average/Class ............................. 5.9

FALL CLASS STATISTICS

Total # Run Classes ................. 45

Total # Students ........................ 343

Average/Class ............................. 7.6

The Gallery Program had a tremendous year filled with radical changes, fantastic exhibitions, and community engagement.

The year started with the final exhibition at the Bowman Arts Centre, and transitioned to Casa with an extremely successful

inaugural exhibition that included works by 34 artists. Since moving to Casa the program has expanded considerably, and we

will be continuing this evolution and expansion over the coming years.

The program presented eight gallery exhibitions, as well as numerous smaller ad hoc presentations. Of these eight gallery

exhibitions, five were solo shows. The other three exhibitions were group shows which included a total of forty-one participating

artists. All of our exhibitions in 2013 featured the work of either local artists, or artists with a strong connection to our community.

We have also hosted seven unique, smaller exhibitions on our feature walls and in our presentation showcases.

For the fifth year, the gallery organized a film series featuring rare documentaries about contemporary artists. This year’s

series, “Process and Perception” began in November, 2013. Films are now screened once a month rather than once a week.

A new program that resulted from the move to Casa is The “Window Shop” showcase giftshop, which provides an opportunity

for local artisans to sell their wares. Sales volumes for the “Window Shop” have been steady and are expected to grow.

The gallery program also had the opportunity to enter into a long-term partnership with both the Alberta Media Arts Alliance

and the EPCOR Centre for the Arts in presenting a Lethbridge extension of the GAMA (Gallery of Alberta Media Arts) program.

This is a peer-assessed fee paying program that presents media work by Alberta artists. The Casa component is a monitor and

viewing area adjacent to the gallery.

We were excited to receive notice of a $15,000 Canada Council for the Arts Project Grant (inter-organization collaboration) late

in 2013. Artist Cindy Baker is working on her Masters of Fine Art Degree at the U of L, and as part of her thesis, she is curating a

large installation and performance art event in Lethbridge, featuring international artists who will be travelling to our community.

Casa Gallery, in coordination with SAAG, Trap/door, M:ST Performance Art Festival, and the Potemkin Collective will be offering

support. Casa will provide space, and with the grant, help offset travel and artist fee costs for the visiting artists.

2013 was extremely successful, and we are confident that we will continue to amaze, astound and engage the residents of our

community in 2014!

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FALL CLASS STATISTICS

Total # Run Classes ................. 45

Total # Students ........................ 343

Average/Class ............................. 7.6

Artist’s Fees totaling $15,974 were paid to 46 exhibiting artists in 2013

Gallery Approximately 1000 people attended gallery openings in 2013

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1 4 R e p o r t s1 4 P u b l i c A r t

Public Art

which causes the once realistic picture plane to be abstracted, was

selected for fabrication. The gate and grill panels were installed in

early 2014.

An additional public art project for Casa involving the commissioning

of a site specific work by local artist David Hoffos was also initiated

in 2013. The work is being funded by the AFA and will be a part

of the Alberta collection on long term loan to Allied Arts Council for

installation in in the west facing window of Casa. The work will be

unveiled in the fall of 2014. Of significance with this project is the

collaboration between the AFA and the AAC and which creates a

model for future partnerships for accomplishing public art projects.

The AAC provides administrative support for the

City of Lethbridge Public Art Program through

staff participation on the Public Art Committee

as well as by providing management support for

project selection committees and commissioned

projects. The AAC also provides opportunities for

the community to learn about the public art program

through the hosting of artist talks and information

sessions.

The Public Art collection continues to expand

with the addition of three new works at Casa, the

installation of an integrated work that serves as a

gateway into the new City of Lethbridge Royal View

Cemetery and the completion of relief sculptures on

the entrance wings of the pedestrian tunnel which

was built as part of the North Scenic Drive extension

project.

Casa has provided a number of locations for

installing public art work. The second of three works

commissioned for the facility, Mirrored Earth a work

by the Vancouver based team of artists Nancy

Chew and Jacqueline Metz, was installed in June

2013. The highly successful work surprises and

intrigues viewers as a number of its approximately

600 wall mounted mirrors arranged to replicate the

coulees move in response to their presence. The

piece complements George Heagle’s Common

Unity, installed in late 2012 on the desk in the Casa

reception area.

A process to commission an artist to create a design

for the gate and grill incorporated in the north

courtyard fence of the centre was implemented in

early 2013. Local artist Marta Blicharz’s design

titled Bit Portal, based on the imperfect nature of

digital media and its susceptibility to pixellation

MA

RTA

BLI

CH

AR

Z - B

it P

orta

l

JACQUELINE METZ & NANCY CHEW - Mirrored Earth

R e p o r t s 1 5P u b l i c A r t 1 5

Also completed and installed in the summer of 2013 was Threshold by Tony

Bloom. Threshold is an integrated work that frames and draws attention to

the landscape, abstractly references and honors the mining industry and also

works as a functional gate for the new Royal View Cemetery. Prominent

elements of the gate are the post and lintel frame that suggests a mine

entrance, the arc and circle that evoke the tipple, spindles that replicate

hand augers and the end posts include aluminum replicas of pieces of

coal. Included in the Royal View Cemetery project process were a day of

consultation by the artist to gather information from community members on

mining in the Lethbridge area and an Artist’s Talk by Mr. Bloom that was held

in conjunction with the commission ceremony held in October 2013.

Another exciting project to integrate art into infrastructure was also completed

in 2013 with the installation of relief sculptures designed by BC artist Gerry

Houghton being installed on the entrances to the north scenic drive pedestrian

tunnel. The relief sculptures, like the Royal View Project, have a mining

theme which fits wonderfully with an underground tunnel.

In September 2013 a second Call for Proposals was issued for a public

artwork project for the recently renovated Helen Schuler Nature Centre,

because the submissions from the first Call for Proposals failed to meet the

expectations of the selection committee. Artists will be shortlisted for the

project in early 2014 with final selection of a project for recommendation to

City Council expected to be completed by July 2014. It is expected that the

project will installed in the spring of 2015.

TONY BLOOM - Threshold

1 6 R e p o r t s

The Allied Arts Council and the arts community of Lethbridge have been working with the City of Lethbridge to improve arts facilities

since 2005. Nine years later Lethbridge has completed two major projects:

SAAG expansion project

Casa –Community Arts Centre

However, the vision of the cultural corridor will not be fulfilled until a new Performing Arts Theatre is in place and there is increased

and improved performance space in our city.

Ten Million Dollars has been promised in the 2014-2017 City of Lethbridge Capital Improvement plan if the remaining $50 million

can be found from other sources. The AAC board has resolved that the AAC will take a leadership role in building and supporting a

larger committee to generate funds for a Performing Arts Theatre and will continue to build support in the community, engaging &

aligning stakeholders and expressing the need for a new Performing Arts Theatre to the community at large.

1 6 F a c i l i t i e s

COMPLETEDCOMPLETED

Performing Arts Theatre?CORRIDOR

CULTURAL

Improving Arts Facilities

R e p o r t s 1 7

COMPLETED

Membership

The AAC boasts a diverse membership of artists, arts organizations and arts supporters.

We enthusiastically welcomed 58 new members in 2013.

57 Allied Members Groups dedicated to furthering the arts

23 Associate Members Businesses engaged in artistic endeavors

123 Artist Members Individuals engaged in artistic endeavors

77 Friend & Family Members Individuals and families supportive of the arts

Lifetime Members

The AAC acknowledges the following members whose efforts have had a major

impact on the Allied Arts Council organization throughout the years. Each of them have

received Lifetime Membership in recognition of their contributions.

Doris Balcovske

Van Christou

Karen Kay

Clare Malmberg

Volunteers

The AAC gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the extraordinary volunteers who support our many initiatives.

Supported activities and programs in 2013 include: the AAC Board of Directors, Mayor’s Luncheon for Business

and the Arts, Casa Grand Opening, Christmas at Casa, Lethbridge Arts Days, Casa Education & Gallery programs.

Approximately 58 volunteers contributed 272 hours of their time to the AAC.

S u p p o r t e r s 1 7

Supporters

1 R e p o r t s1 R e p o r t s1 8 F i n a n c i a l s

Financials

9%18%

12%

62%

31%

1%

18%

19%

31%

RevenueProgram Fees/Membership $155,637.37 18%

Projects/Donations/Grants $104,307.12 12%

City of Lethbridge* $545,013.94 62%

Alberta Foundation for the Arts $ 81,066.38 9%

$886,024.81

*does not include imputed rent

Administration $247,629.07 31%

Facility $250,393.15 31%

Arts Promotion $151,836.24 19%

Programming* $149,563.17 18%

Board $ 9,375.79 1%

$808,797.42


Expenses

ALLIED ARTS COUNCIL OF LETHBRIDGE Statement of Financial Position

December 31, 2013, with comparative information for 2012

2013 2012

Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 364,544 $ 279,951 Accounts receivable 33,402 36,854 Prepaid expenses 1,395 2,056 Goods and services tax recoverable 1,892 1,579

401,233 320,440

Capital assets: Capital assets 115,913 112,275 Less accumulated amortization 71,208 70,486

44,705 41,789

$ 445,938 $ 362,229

Liabilities and Net Assets Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 2,165 $ 10,871 Deferred revenue 16,748 9,113 Deferred contributions 40,390 32,837

59,303 52,821

Net assets: Invested in capital assets 44,705 41,789 Unrestricted 42,059 42,059 Internally restricted 299,871 225,560

386,635 309,408

$ 445,938 $ 362,229

R e p o r t s 1 9F i n a n c i a l s 1 9

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Administration $247,629.07 31%

Facility $250,393.15 31%

Arts Promotion $151,836.24 19%

Programming* $149,563.17 18%

Board $ 9,375.79 1%

$808,797.42


Expenses

2 0 R e p o r t s

2013 Allied Arts Council Staff

2 0 R e p o r t s

PRESIDENT

Kris Hodgson

VICE PRESIDENT

Kim Siever

SECRETARY

Tyler Gschaid

TREASURER

Shanna Bailey

DIRECTORS

Jennifer Babits

Amanda Berg

Ron Brown

Tweela Houtekamer

Karla Mather-Cocks

Greg Norman

Dione Overes

Don Reeves

Jennifer Schmidt Rempel

2013 Allied Arts Council Board of Directors

Personnel

Casa Staff:

FACILITY SERVICES COORDINATORClaire Hatton

GALLERY SERVICES COORDINATORDarcy Logan

EDUCATION COORDINATORJeremy Mason/Victoria Manzer/Leila Armstrong

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTBeverly Stadelmann

FACILITY TECHNICIANS:Brent CoultonTim ElniskiAaron HaganBrian Quinn

RECEPTION:Lorraine LeePamela VeraDiana Zasadny

CUSTODIANS:Brad GorukAndrew Bialobzyski

AAC 7th Street Office:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Suzanne Lint

PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR

Ashley Markus

PROJECTS COORDINATOR

Muffy McKay

FINANCE COORDINATOR

Jana MacKenzie

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Derek Stevenson

Cont

ribu

tors

PLATINUM ($2,000 +)Val & Flora Matteotti

ATB Financial

GOLD ($1,000+)Deltec Power & Control Systems

Downtown Lethbridge BRZ

Ferrari Westwood Babits Architects

Gold & Gold Productions

Janice & Glenn Varzari

Korite Internationl Ltd.

North & Company

Rick Gillis

Royal LePage, South Country

SILVER ($500+)KPMG Chartered Accountants

Melcor Development

Peter Mueller

Stantec Consulting Ltd.

Green Haven

BRONZE ($250+)D.A. Building Systems

Rodney and Martha Draffin

Miles and Carol Godlonton

Overhead Door

Precon Precast Products

Richardson Oilseed Ltd.

Sterling Mutuals

Streatside Eatery

Volution LLP

Westwind Management Solutions

INDIVIDUAL PARTNERS($1-$249)Christopher & Jennifer Babits

Amanda Berg

Amy Brecka

Barb Cunningham

Wayne Dwornik

Elements Physical Therapy

Terri Fortunaso

Barb Goodman

Keith & Jeanette Greeno

Malcolm & Bonnie Greenshield

Lori Harasem & Duane Petluk

Linda Horner

Tweela Houtekamer

Lorita & Akira Ichikawa

R.A. & M Jacobson

Diana Lanier

Judy Legg

Dave McCann

Gary McGladdery

Mike Mountain Horse Elementary

Tad Mitsui & Muriel Mellow

Anne Myshok

Katie & Shig Nakagawa

Birthe Perry

Rose Primachuk

Lyle & Lesley Rode

Delmarie Skeith

Elizabeth Slovak

Don & Marcia Taylor

Gloria & Stanley Torrance

Darlene Weger

Dan & Karen Westwood

MEDIA PARTNERS94.1 CJOC

CKUA

CKXU 88.3

Country 95.5/B93.3

107.7 River/106.7

Lethbridge Herald

A L L I E D A R T S C O U N C I L O F L E T H B R I D G E

318 7 Street South

Lethbridge Alberta T1J 2G2

PH: 403.320.0555

F: 403.320.2450

EMAIL: [email protected]

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AAC Annual General Report 2013

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