edmonton arts council - 2015 annual report
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annual report2015
Still from Infinitude by Scott Portingale, photo supplied
Alberta Cantonese Opera Festival presents War Drum in Golden Mountain, photo supplied
Michalene Giesbrecht, Sandra Olarte, and Stephanie Gruson in Firefly Theatre & Circus’ “The Playground”, photo by Studio E Photography
“CONFUSEMENT” by Nina Haggerty artist Scott Berry, photo by Jenna Turner
annual report2015
The Edmonton Arts Council The Edmonton Arts Council is a not-for-profit society and charitable organization that supports and promotes the arts community in Edmonton. The EAC works to increase the profile and involvement of arts and culture in all aspects of our community life through activities that:
Invest in Edmonton
festivals, arts
organizations
and individual
artists through
municipal,
corporate, and
private funding.
Represent Edmonton’s arts
community to
government and
other agencies
and provide
expert advice on
issues that affect
the arts.
Build partnerships and
initiate projects
that strengthen
our community.
Create awareness of
the quality,
variety, and
value of artistic
work produced
in Edmonton.
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Reconciliation in Solidarity Edmonton (RISE) Community Heart Garden installed at City Hall, photo by Gibby Davis
"Navigating Boundaries” by Kelsey Stephenson and Jes McCoy at Harcourt House, photo by Kelsey Stephenson
Angela Gladue, Lana Whiskeyjack and Logan Alexis Drummers at Channeling Connections, photo by Brad Crowfoot2
Board of Directors as of June 2015
Executive CommitteeAnne Ferguson Switzer, Chair
Jeff Haslam, Vice Chair
Mary Phillips-Rickey, Secretary-Treasurer
Brian Webb, Past Chair
Members-at-largeLyall Brenneis
– City of Edmonton representative
Lisa Baroldi / JoAnn Kirkland
– Edmonton Economic Development
Corporation (EEDC) Representative
Ahmed Ali
Glen Erickson
Mike Ford
Heather Inglis
Scott Portingale
Kent Sutherland
Theresa Reichert
Will Truchon
Murray Utas
Christopher White
Noel Xavier
In recognitionThe Edmonton Arts Council would like to thank Paul Moulton, Dennie Hamaluik,
Dawn Saunders-Dahl and Martin Wasserfall for their contribution to Edmonton
Arts Council operations in 2015.
Edmonton Arts Council staff as of December 31, 2015
Executive Director Paul Moulton
Operations Shirley Combden
Kristina de Guzman
Sally Kim
Shrina Patel
Grants, Awards & Support Programs Mary Jane Kreisel
Justina Watt
Stephen Williams
Public Art Andrea Bowes
Robert Harpin
Katherine Kerr
Public Art Conservation Jenika Sobolewska
David Turnbull
Communications Annette Aslund
Eva Marie Clarke
Jenna Turner
TIX on the Square Kaitlyn Grant
Stephanie Hample
Lisa McNicol
Kaelyn Saunders
Amanda Skopik
Judy Stelck
Betty Thomson
Churchill Square Bob Rasko
Annette Aslund and Jenna Turner, photo by Brad CrowfootKatherine Kerr and Edmonton Community Foundation’s Alex Draper,
photo by Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography
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What do the arts contribute to the City of Edmonton?
Imagination; creativity; inspiration; and, yes, money.
What does the Edmonton Arts Council contribute to the arts in Edmonton?
Enthusiasm; experience; focus; and, yes, money.
Message from the Chair
As the granting arm for the City of Edmonton, the
Edmonton Arts Council sets, screens and distributes funds
to artists and organizations. But it is so much more. It is an
organization that tries to look forward, not backward; that
looks at present challenges and opportunities for the arts
community; and that leads as well as follows.
We can all be so proud of the diverse and active arts scene
in Edmonton. Theatre, music, film, visual arts, dance, and
public art all thrive here both in professional and amateur
organizations. Who hasn’t been touched by the poetry of
our poet laureate Pierrette Requier, or read a book by one
of our local authors, or seen a play at the Varscona theatre,
attended an amateur choir event, or attended Symphony
Under the Sky? Our artists fan out across the globe,
sharing their skills and talents, and advancing Edmonton’s
reputation as a hotbed of creativity.
The past year for the Edmonton Arts Council has been a
mixture of challenges and excitement. Despite difficult
economic times, City Council, our members, and the
wider Edmonton community have been tremendously
supportive of our arts scene, and justifiably proud of all our
artists’ accomplishments.
Each year the Edmonton Arts Council Board takes a fresh
look at its priorities and what the focus should be for the
ongoing year. In 2015 we continued the previous focus
on cultural diversity and work to implement the Audit of
the Edmonton Arts Council’s current practices and offerings
in relation to the Aboriginal arts community. Both these
items are on our daily focus list to ensure that not only
are the policies helpful, but the implementation is always
at the forefront.
Councillor Scott McKeen, Paul Moulton, Anne Ferguson Switzer, and Councillor Ben Henderson, photo by Girl Named Shirl Photography
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Anne Ferguson Switzer
Some of the more exciting events over the past year
included the May Channeling Connections Symposium,
which brought together Indigenous artists, arts
administrators, and funders from the prairie provinces
and Northwest Territories. We hope the symposium
opened dialogue that will continue. The unveiling of
the Alex Janvier mosaic, to be installed at Rogers Place,
is but one example of major arts installations that the city
will enjoy with pride. The Indigenous Art Park progress
continues and will eventually provide an outdoor exhibit
space for some extraordinary pieces of art.
In addition, in 2015 the Arts Council added an ambitious
focus on reviewing and re-examining our granting
structures. We need to continue to ensure that the grants
structure as it now stands works for our artists and their
organizations, and does not raise any unnecessary barriers
to access.
The work of the Edmonton Arts Council would not be
possible without the dedication of the staff, most of
whom have other connections to the arts community,
and whose enthusiasm takes them out amongst the
greater arts community as well. In addition, we have
tremendous dedication amongst the board members
who put in many hours ensuring things go as well as
possible for our arts community. Finally, it is important
to thank all of the jury and selection committee members
who also put in amazing amounts of time and work
giving serious review and consideration to our various
grants applications and public art projects.
This year we are sad to say goodbye to Paul Moulton, who
is retiring from the EAC. When Paul stepped up to the plate
as our Executive Director he brought a fresh outlook to the
organization, and true insight and dedication to our goals.
Paul’s fresh thinking and championing of our projects have
been invaluable. We look forward to working with our next
executive director in 2016, and for years to come.
Karimah at Edmonton Arts Council’s 20th anniversary summer party, photo by Jenna Turner Channeling Connections workshop, photo by Brad Crowfoot
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Although some might see the enormous gap between
the first and last group as a problem, I am convinced
that, in fact, it provides great opportunity. It is the effort
to bridge this gap that has caused many arts funders
and arts organizations across North America to look at
new and adaptive solutions that provide greater ways
to engage the community.
In 2014 the Edmonton Arts Council began to address
the issue of community engagement by implementing
the New Pathways Program of Adaptive Change to
organizations in Edmonton. With additional support from
the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Edmonton
Community Foundation we contracted the services of
EmcArts to deliver a series of workshops for 21 Edmonton
area arts organizations. The work engages artistic
leaders, administrators and board leadership, assisting
organizations to structure for resilience and introduce
complex adaptive systems. Rather than being only
providers of cultural activities, the organizations move
to also become enablers of creative expression.
This work continued in 2015 with intense onsite coaching
sessions for 11 organizations from the original cohort.
The final stages will conclude in the summer of 2016
with three organizations going through what EmcArts
terms a ‘deep dive’ analysis to find and test innovative and
adaptive solutions.
2015 marked the end of my tenure as Executive Director at
the EAC, and although I had only served for 1,000 days in
this role, I am convinced that the New Pathways Program
has set a positive new course for the arts in Edmonton. I
am extremely proud that we were able to begin this work
and am most grateful to the Board and Staff at the EAC for
their willingness to embrace this change. I also appreciate
Research tells us that 75% of the general
population say the arts are important
to them and play a regular part in their
daily lives; while only 34% say they
have any contact with a professional
arts organization, and only 8% say that
they engage their interest through a
professionally managed arts organization.
Message from the Executive Director
Paul Moulton, photo by Brad Crowfoot
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the support of the aforementioned funding partners. I
reserve my greatest thanks for the arts organizations who
took a ‘leap of faith’ in joining the first cohort. I know that
they have experienced significant growth and change
through their learning, and their focus on community
engagement continues to become ever stronger.
The Edmonton Arts Council has also been hard at work in
ensuring that it engages more broadly with community.
In addition to the New Pathways Program the EAC has
also focused on relationship-building and outreach, public
input opportunities around public art, and supporting
new events and initiatives, such as the Public Art in
Conversation series, public art and grant workshops, and
networking nights for artists.
In 2015, the EAC hosted, planned and promoted 30 events
- including workshops, #YEGarts mixers, artist talks, the
Winter Social, the 20th anniversary summer party, a public
art bus tour, public art announcements, and more. This
was in addition to the daily event programming that occurs
throughout the summer in Churchill Square and our on-
going commitment to the operation of Tix on the Square.
The EAC carried on the significant work of managing
grant programs but also continued to focus on engaging
with artists from diverse backgrounds. Most importantly,
following the ‘year of reconciliation’ the EAC continues
to work to ensure greater opportunities for Indigenous
artists.
My time at the EAC has been extremely rewarding and
has truly been a pinnacle position to end my career. I owe
a great deal to my predecessors in the position and wish
to thank our partners at the City of Edmonton (both
administration and Council) for their ongoing faith in
our work.
I would also like to again thank the Board and Staff at the
EAC for their support of my efforts and their belief in the
strategies I proposed.
Finally, I thank all of the members of the EAC for your
tireless work in the field. 2015 has proven once again
that Edmonton is home to an extraordinarily prolific arts
scene. From mainstream arts organizations and festivals
to new and emerging artists and organizations, our city
is enriched by your work in so many ways. I wish you
continued success in 2016 and beyond.
Paul Moulton
Paul Moulton
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Feature Article
Community art can seem most identifiable
by the 'simplistic' quality of the produced
work, which seems to sit opposite to the
exquisite refinement, the perfection implied
by 'masterpiece'.
There’s no place for perfectionism in it. By its very nature, community art practice reveals that, at any given time, any organic group of people is going to be a mixed bag of talents, skills, levels of experience, also of willingness, courage, discipline, and character.
Character matters in community arts. One can be a screaming diva in an art form where individual excellence of product excuses a violent process. In community arts, by contrast, the process is the thing, and if it’s a violent process, the community will not submit to it.
There’s no place for superstars, either. You have to let that go. Not in the sense of coming down to anyone’s level, but in a sense of really knowing what is the basic, and being able to convey it.
I’m reminded of the great David Thiaw, a Senegalese drum master whose workshop I once attended. In the 90s, djembes rumbled everywhere and everyone was in a drum circle. Mr. Thiaw was much in demand, and his workshop had filled Riverdale Hall. He stepped up in front of the assembled throng, who quieted and locked eyes on his towering presence, his bald head crowned with dim fluorescent light.
Play for me, said Thiaw, to begin.
And the rock star boys and power grrls in the crowd attacked, each louder, faster, fancier than the next. Then Thiaw raised his mighty hands and roared, Stop! Stop, he repeated in a pained whisper, shaking his head.
No Masterpiece: What is a masterpiece of Community Art?
How do you know when you’ve made one?
Anna Marie Sewell at Reconciling Edmonton, photo by Gibby Davis
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Now wait a minute. Follow me, he said. And he laid down the simplest 1,2,3,4, straight 1/4 note beat until we all fell in. All the rock stars were side-eying, and you could feel the bulge of them wanting to solo, but Thiaw would not let us loose. His mighty hand hammered the 1 beat, and we all entrained.
All the fancy handwork in the world means nothing in an ensemble, unless and until you can hear everyone, and make space for everyone, and everyone can always feel, trust, depend upon your mutual anchoring to 1, the foundational pulse.
He forced the rock stars to give up their show-off riffs, assigned us each one note in sequence, and made us each play our small, single beat until it all flowed together. Until that one moment when suddenly, the rock stars exhaled and gave up. Thiaw laid down the 1, and we followed, listening to each other. And slowly, we heard our multiplicity become one, become that thing that makes any orchestra, any group, so much more than the sum of its parts. Each plays our own part, simply, fully, with surrender, listening and leaving space for others, and suddenly, there is a song. Suddenly, there is space for the unspoken agreement, for solos to burst into flight, rising from within the larger song.
Why that moment? Because it validated my deepest instincts and my oldest teachings. We live on shared impulse, because we are all issued, at our instant of arrival, with one drum, which never ceases while we
live, but which can become unheard, unfelt, so taken for granted we forget we are all drummers.
I did not volunteer to play for Thiaw, because women like me aren’t drum circle stars. I drum because I love it, but it allows me no illusions of rhythmic grandeur. Lacking skill, I rely on simplicity, cling to the 1.
That’s what community art comes down to, in my view; practice rides on the heartbeat.
When practitioners anchor work to that basic rhythm, everyone participating can and will entrain. Entrained, we naturally loosen up and make space for each other, we’ll each be the keeper of the heartbeat for each other, and we’ll each have our moment to shine.
Finding our heartbeat and room for it in the song, that is the masterpiece of no masterpiece. I’ve been blessed by it for decades now, and it has never let me down.
Anna Marie Sewell's community arts practice includes: Reconciling Edmonton, with RISEdmonton (2015-16); The Poem Catcher and A Poetry Map of Canada, as Poet Laureate (2011-13); Roots Jam w/Joy Harjo at Edmonton Poetry Festival (2014); Family Jam for U of A Alumni (2015); Creative Connections multidisciplinary inter-generational, inter-agency exchange (2011-12); Honour Songs, celebrating Indigenous Women (2007); and over twenty years of facilitation work for groups including Youthwrite, En'owkin Centre, and most recently, Rising Sun Theatre.
Thoughts on Community Art
Anna Marie Sewell
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public art
“Kennedale Eco Creatures” by Brandon Blommaert, photo by Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography
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“Vaulted Willow” by Marc Fornes & THEVERYMANY at the public art bus tour, photo by Eva Marie Clarke
"The Musicians" by Bella Totino-Busby & Verne Busby, photo by Ryan Parker/PK Photography “Impose” by the Threshold Collective, photo by Aspen Zettel Photography
“I Can See My Dreams” by Maria Pace-Wynters #YEGCanvas Billboard, photo by Eva Marie Clarke 11
2015 was a busy year of installations, project management,
community outreach, and engagement. Public Art oversaw
the installation of 10 new artworks and continued work on
more than 20 ongoing projects.
The installation of photographic mosaics by Edmonton
photographer Eugene Uhuad was a highlight, celebrating
community engagement. Following two years of documenting
events at the Clareview Multicultural Centre, Eugene collaged
thousands of images into beautiful and personal portraits.
For the new LRT stations at NAIT and MacEwan University,
students were invited to submit their designs for functional,
artistic bike racks to enliven the commute. Five designs
from six students (Chunyu Qi, Morgan Wellborn, Alina Cross,
Chelsea Allan, Mark Winget, Chris Rodrigues) were chosen
and installed in 2015.
2015 marked an exciting milestone for Edmonton's
Indigenous Art Park, which will be located within Queen
Elizabeth Park. Sixteen shortlisted artists gathered in
Edmonton to participate in a weekend workshop that
presented stories, reflections, poetry, and history from
Indigenous artists and community members as well as
Elders and knowledge holders from the Confederacy of
Treaty Six First Nations, and Métis Nation of Alberta. The
workshop goal of providing a rich context from which to
understand “this place”, its people and stories, was more
than met as all participants left inspired by the deep
sharing and learning offered throughout the weekend.
Noted Canadian Indigenous artist and scholar Candice
Hopkins (Chief Curator, IAIA Museum of Contemporary
Native Arts) facilitated the workshop and will curate the
Indigenous Art Park.
Percent for Art Program
“Untitled” by Jordi Bonet, Mill Woods Public Library, photo by Ryan Parker/PK Photography
Public art bus tour, photo by Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography
“Phàntasien” by realities:united, Mill Woods Public Library, photo by Doyle C. Marko Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography 12
“Beaver” by Chunyu Qi & Morgan Wellborn, MacEwan LRT Bike Racks, MacEwan LRT Station, photo by Aspen Zettel Photography "Untitled" by Eugene Uhuad, photo by Eugene Uhuad
“Exotic Species” by Marc Siegner, Victoria Park Pavilion, photo by Doyle C. Marko
“Beaver” by Chunyu Qi & Morgan Wellborn, MacEwan LRT Bike Racks, MacEwan LRT Station, photo by Aspen Zettel Photography
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The Transitory Public Art program provides highly visible and dynamic venues to artists emerging within their
genres and public art practice. These short-term public art installations transform cityscapes; inviting citizens
and visitors to view their environment with new eyes.
The Edmonton Arts Council’s 2015 transitory initiatives focused on high impact public art interventions in
public areas, mentorship and training resources for Edmonton-based artists, and projects that encompassed
customary or contemporary techniques, composition, and cultural interventions.
Artists Light the Bridge, Edmonton artists Scott Peters and Jason Kodie flooded the High Level Bridge with
colour in 2015. Their work enriches the High Level Bridge lights with nine themed programs. The project
launched on Canada Day with Edmontunes; a musical mosaic - lights dancing to a soundscape of Edmonton
music from the past six decades.
The Borden Park Sculpture Loan Program, showcasing 10 works by eminent Edmonton sculptors, was so
popular that it will be extended by a year, while it continues to attract visitors, as well as myriad bus, bike, and
walking tours.
#YEGCanvas a partnership with Pattison Outdoor Advertising that launched in December 2015, transformed
Edmonton into an urban gallery celebrating the art of 32 Edmonton artists. For six months, this initiative exhibited
45 artworks by Indigenous, culturally diverse, and emerging artists on billboards and LRT Posters. An interactive,
mobile friendly map guided fans to locations scattered throughout the city and along the Capital Line.
Transitory Public Art
“Artists Light the Bridge” by Scott Peters & Jason Kodie, photo by Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography
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"Penguinpuppy" by Yvette Prefontaine, photo by Jenna Turner
“Epilog” Kapil Vachhar, photo by Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography Lana Whiskeyjack with #YEGCanvas Billboard “Apītaw Piciwās” photo supplied
“Neda” by Zohreh Valiary Eskandary, photo by Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography
#YEGCanvas artists Keith-yin Sun & Judi Chan, photo by Jenna Turner“The Game” by Jennie Vegt, photo by Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography “The Game” by Jennie Vegt, photo by Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography
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We took it on the road! Public Art workshops and education initiatives invited diverse communities into the
public art process with information about artist calls and submissions.
Artist talks focused on projects within communities: Métis artist Destiny Swiderski animated Milled Wood in
the Mill Woods Seniors and Multicultural Centre just after she completed her installation. Brandon Vickerd
spoke about Wild Life in the Boyle Street Community Centre after his artwork was installed in the Quarters.
Streetscapes and Parkscapes Public Art Bus Tour
Two busloads of captivated sightseers toured public art projects throughout downtown and north Edmonton.
Beginning with Keith Walker’s glass streetlamp finials (Transitions) that punctuate 108 Street, the three-hour tour
included the MacEwan LRT station, Borden Park, Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre, interspersed
with live performances by Youth Poet Laureate Charlotte Cranston and musician Chakanaka Zinyemba. The
day culminated in a tour of Keith Walker’s glass blowing studio.
Community Outreach
Public art bus tour, photo by Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography Chakanaka Zinyemba at public art bus tour, photo by Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography
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Edmonton Urban Design AwardsPublic Art in Edmonton was honoured at
the 2015 Edmonton Urban Design Awards.
Scott Sueme’s community-based ARC Mural
at Abbottsfield Recreation Centre received
a Community-Based Projects Award of
Excellence, while the Grandin Murals by Aaron
Paquette & Sylvie Nadeau were recognized
with an Award of Merit. Vaulted Willow by Marc
Fornes & THEVERYMANY picked up an Award
of Excellence for Urban Fragments and the
Threshold Collective picked up an Award of
Excellence in the Student category for Impose.
Artist Rendering of ARC Mural for the Abbottsfield Recreation Centre by Scott Sueme
“Wild Life” by Brandon Vickerd, photo by Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography “Impose” by the Threshold Collective, photo by Aspen Zettel Photography“Impose” by the Threshold Collective, photo by Aspen Zettel Photography 17
CompletePROJECT ARTIST TITLE
MacEwan and NAIT Bike racks MacEwan University and NAIT Students:
Chunyu Qi, Morgan Wellborn, Alina Cross,
Chelsea Allan, Mark Winget, Chris Rodrigues
Various
Mill Woods Library realities:united Phàntasien
Quarters Armature #2 Brandon Vickerd Wild Life
Victoria Park Pavilion Marc Siegner Exotic Species
Mill Woods Multicultural Facility &
Seniors Centre
Destiny Swiderski Milled Wood
Heritage Valley Fire Station Mark Clintberg & Jeff Kulak Water Vessels
Stony Plain Road Streetscape Verne Busby & Bella Totino-Busby The Musicians
Kennedale Ecostation Brandon Blommaert Kennedale Eco Creatures
Clareview Multicultural Centre Eugene Uhuad Untitled
Capital Boulevard Keith Walker Transitions
TransitoryPROJECT ARTIST
City Hall & Winspear Centre
for Music
Threshold Collective Impose
Artists Light the Bridge Scott Peters and Jason Kodie 10 compositions
Borden Park Sculpture Exhibition (ongoing) Multiple artists 10 sculptures
#YEGCanvas (ongoing) Multiple artists 45 artworks
Open Source Street Art Pilot (ongoing) AJA Louden (launch) and multiple artists
Public Art Project List 2015
“Water Vessels” by Mark Clintberg & Jeff Kulak, photo by Ryan Parker/PK Photography18
OngoingPROJECT ARTIST
Quarters Crossings Derek Besant
Quarters Armature #1 Rebecca Belmore
and Osvaldo Yero
Lewis Estates Fire Station Vikki Wiercinski
Walterdale Bridge Ken Lum
Borden Park Natural
Swim Experience
William Frymire
Terwillegar Foot Bridge Royden Mills
102 Avenue Bridge Faye Heavyshield
Rogers Place North West Plaza realities:united
Rogers Place Community Rink
corridor entry
Al Henderson
Rogers Place North East Plaza Doug Bentham
Rogers Place Winter Garden Alex Janvier
Whitemud Equestrian Centre Black Artifex Inc.
Pilot Sound Fire Station Paul Slipper and
Mary Ann Liu
North East Transit Garage TBD
Queen Elizabeth Indigenous
Art Park
TBD (six projects)
Calder Library Rebecca Bayer
Paul Kane Park TBD
Beaver Hills House Park Entry Destiny Swiderski
River Valley Mechanized Access Jill Anholt
“Milled Wood” by Destiny Swiderski, photo by Aspen Zettel Photography
“Transitions” by Keith Walker, photo by Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography
"Untitled" by Eugene Uhuad, photo by Eugene Uhuad 19
The Edmonton Arts Council’s Conservation Department is involved in every facet of public art in Edmonton.
Protecting and stewarding the City of Edmonton Public Art Collection demands continual skill-building as
well as day to day work that encompasses emergency response and repairs, warranty work, and preventive
conservation. Conservation is conducted in the lab as well as onsite.
The most high profile treatment of 2015 was the replacement of 20 dented spheres from Talus Dome, and
landscaping in approximately 30 tons of dirt to prevent soil erosion in and around the artwork.
In addition to coordinating, overseeing, and executing nearly 70 conservation projects, the conservation team
makes its expertise available to individuals and organizations. City personnel approached the team regarding
a 1994 buffalo sculpture by Lloyd Pinay. Sited in Dr. Anne Anderson Park, it was in rough shape, due to years
of graffiti vandalism, inexpert cleaning, and repeated painting with black and silver paint. The Conservation
Department spent approximately 100 hours painstakingly removing the layers of paint in order to assess the
condition of the bronze, before it can be restored to the original condition.
The EAC Conservator co-chaired the 2015 Canadian Association for Conservation conference with the Provincial
Archives of Alberta. This event presented an opportunity to showcase the work of the EAC Conservation
Department and key artworks in the public art collection.
Conservation
Talus Dome conservation, photo by David TurnbullTalus Dome conservation, photo by David Turnbull
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Public Art Committee
The Public Art Committee (PAC) serves as an advisory body
to the City of Edmonton. The Committee is comprised of
community members who include, but are not limited to,
art, architecture and design professionals, City personnel,
and businesses representatives.
PAC Membership January-December 2015
2015 Public Art Selection Committee Representatives
Consultant and Stakeholder Representatives*
City of Edmonton Project and Client Representatives* Artist and Community Representatives
Jack AshtonCarol BelangerTerry Bohaichuk Gary ChungMatt EverettDarren GiacobboDhafir HammedNicole Howard
Robb HeitGeorge Kuhse Sandra OpdenkampSkye PerryDevin RichardsTerry Rawe Charlene RocheAileen Simcic
Bob BlackBrian BengertFrederick BrissonBarry FraserRyan GedneyPat Hanson Samantha Hammer
Pilar MartinezNastarn MoradinejadChristie OlsonJulie WoodsScott RalstonKristin St. Arnault
Catherine BurgessDevon Beggs Nora BegorayIsla BurnsEricka Chemko Deanna Fuhlendorf Shafraaz Kaba Juan Lopezdabdoub Christie LutsiakEster MalzahnDawn Marie MarchandDon Moar
Lyndal OsborneSusan PointeAiden RoweLeslie Sharpe Jesse SherburneJim TaylorCraig TraynorToscha TurnerMargaret WitschlKendall VreelingKevin Zak
*1/2 vote each in general
Will Truchon – Chair
Will Bauer
Ken Cantor
Chet Domanski
Carmen Douville
Cynthia Dovell
Kira Hunt
Joshua Kupsch
Agnieszka Matejko
Janice Mills
Royden Mills
Jesse Thomas
Evgeny Voutchkov
Linda Wedman
Vikki Wiercinski
#YEGcanvas artists in Churchill Square, photo by Jenna Turner
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Located on the southwest corner of Churchill Square, TIX on the Square is a not-for-profit box office and artist and artisan boutique owned and operated by the Edmonton Arts Council.
TIX once again had a banner year in sales of both tickets and merchandise in 2015. This is good news for all TIX artists – visual and performance.
In November, TIX moved their ticketing system over to Tessitura to enable them to offer better reporting to client organizations. In 2015, TIX worked with over 200 organizations, managed tickets sales and/or promotion of more than 1200 events, sold 58,000 tickets and grossed over $2.3 million.
TIX is a destination for locals, tourists and travellers looking for original gift ideas. Retail sales of more than 200 local artists’ handcraft and merchandise (such as jewelry, pottery, photography, clothing, books, music and more) increased by 28%.
The renovation moving TIX to a centre “pod” in the store was completed in February 2015 and plans were set up for part two of the renovation – two offices for General Manager and the Assistant Manager, respectively, and a kitchen/lunchroom for staff, to be completed in the early part of 2016.
Smithstine Copper Jewelry, photo suppliedTIX artists CMB Printworks, Crystal Driedger, Axis Mundi Artistry and Edmonton Potters Guild, photo by TIX on the Square22
Bro Brick soaps, photo supplied
Keith Walker of Blow in the Dark glass studio, photo by Andrea Clark
TIX artists Tweelings, Polar Light Arts Studio, and Dancing Rainbows, photo by TIX on the Square
TIX artists Silk Concepts, Mother Earth Essentials, War Horse Studios, KRH Woodturning and Meghan Wagg Designs, photo by TIX on the Square
Erik Lee, Plains Cree Silversmith, photo by Eva Marie Clarke
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The Edmonton Arts Council, in partnership with the City of Edmonton, programs activity and event Happenings on Sir Winston Churchill Square for casual and day-to-day public use between major festivals and civic events.
Since August 2011, EAC Churchill Square Happenings programmer Bob Rasko has produced a diverse schedule of offerings open to the public including: Sunday Swing 'n' Skate, lightsaber training, CypherWild, and Zumba on the Square.
Our 2015 programming was bookended by two new successful events. Spring on The Square, a week of free activities for families celebrating spring break in the city, and Scare On the Square, our Halloween programming, including a maze, Ron Pearson's "Headless Horror," and “Bands as Bands” featuring local musicians as Elvis, Amy Winehouse, and Wings. Some highlights sandwiched between those events were Ederlezi, a Turkish inspired spring festival featuring Cam Neufeld's Gadjo collective, PALO! a Latin band from Miami, and Grammy nominated Salsa Mayor directly from Cuba.
Over 100 performances graced the Square in 2015, including Crosswalk Theatre, The Great Balonzo, Darrin Hagen, and Rooster Davis. It is estimated over 22,000 participants took in Happenings on Sir Winston Churchill Square in 2015. Attendance increases every year and growth is expected to continue through 2016.
Scare on the Square, photo by Jenna TurnerSwing 'n' Skate, photo by Annette Aslund24
CypherWild, photo by Daena Crosby
Scare on the Square, photo by Annette Aslund
Swing 'n' Skate, photo by Annette AslundSwing 'n' Skate, photo by Annette Aslund 25
The Edmonton Arts Council invests in Edmonton’s artists and arts
community through our many grant programs. Every year, these
grants help countless Edmontonians attend performances, explore
exhibits, expand their creative skillsets, share their artistic creations,
celebrate their communities, and much, much more. In total, the
EAC managed more than $9,000,000 in grant funds in 2015.
grant programs
“Waiting Room” by Alysha Creighton at Bleeding Heart Art Space, photo by Ben Lemphers26
Community Investment Program
Except as specifically noted, the grants
listed are funded by the City of Edmonton’s
Community Investment Program (CIP), which
supports artists, arts and festival organizations,
and non-profit organizations in Edmonton from
the municipal tax base. For these programs,
the EAC is guided by the City of Edmonton
Bylaw 14157 and Policy C211 on community
investment grants.
“Charlie” by Nina Haggerty artist Leona Clawson, photo by Paul Freeman
Paint-o-Rama at Riverbend Community League’s Art in Our Park, photo by Bob BowhayZoe Glassman in “For When She Wakes” at the SkirtsAFire Festival, photo by Brittany Paige and Brianne Jang
27
Edmonton is home to a widely diverse
festival community. Festival Operating
grants help create a stable funding base,
and enhance the ability of organizations to
produce and present festival celebrations
with a theme of interest and appeal to the
general public.
The Edmonton Arts Council assessed 40
eligible applications for Festival Operating
grants, all of which were supported.
Funds previously committed through this
program to Fringe Theatre Adventures
were transferred to the Cornerstone Arts
Operating process in 2015.
JURYTerry Josey – Chair
Angela Bennett
Donna Coombs-Montrose
Mary-Ellen Perley
Patty Tao
Ritchie Velthuis
Ron Walker
Jill Wright
$1,547,300Festival Operating
Creative Age Festival workshop led by Amber Borotsik and Shula Strassfeld, photo by Angela Ostafichuk
Lyra Brown at Nextfest, photo by Indy Randhawa28
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
Accordion Extravaganza $2,300
ArbreDeVie Youth CreatiVibes $7,000
ArtSpirit Festival $2,300
Cariwest - Caribbean Arts Festival $32,000
Creative Age Festival $9,000
DEDfest $5,000
Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival $35,000
Dreamspeakers International Aboriginal
Film Festival
$20,000
ECMS Summer Solstice Festival $9,000
Edmonton Chante $5,000
Edmonton Comedy Festival $25,000
Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival $15,000
Edmonton Folk Music Festival $200,100
Edmonton International Film Festival $89,400
Edmonton International Jazz Festival $99,900
Edmonton International Street
Performers Festival
$113,000
Edmonton Poetry Festival $17,600
Edmonton Pride Festival $39,000
Edmonton Rock Music Festival $20,000
Feats Festival of Dance $20,300
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
The Found Festival $4,500
Freewill Shakespeare Festival $85,000
Global Visions Film Festival $17,000
Heart of the City $7,500
Ice on Whyte $45,000
Kaleido Family Arts Festival $40,000
Litfest: Edmonton's Nonfiction Festival $34,000
Lunar New Year Festival $2,500
Nextfest $41,500
Now Hear This - Festival of New Music
in Edmonton
$5,800
Pure Speculation Festival $2,000
Serca Festival of Irish Theatre $6,000
Servus Heritage Festival $110,000
Silver Skate Festival $57,600
TALES Storytelling Festival $7,000
Taste of Edmonton $100,000
The Works Art and Design Festival $165,000
Thousand Faces Festival $7,000
Up + Downtown Music Festival $20,000
Vocal Arts Festival $24,000
Silver Skate Festival, photo by Marc J. Chalifoux Deep Freeze Festival, photo by Epic Photography
29
Facilities are important hubs in our city’s arts community,
providing space for film screenings, dance performances,
plays, concerts, exhibits, lectures, major events and more. The
Arts Building Operating grant invests in a portion of the costs
associated with maintaining clean, well lit, heated and secure
facilities. These facilities are regularly accessible by the public,
and their use is of interest to the public and community groups.
The Edmonton Arts Council received 18 eligible applications
for Arts Building Operating funding in 2015, all of which were
supported.
This grant is based on a formula calculation and is not assessed
by a jury.
Funds previously committed through this program to Fringe
Theatre Adventures were transferred to the Cornerstone Arts
Operating process in 2015.
In 2015, $42,200 in museum-specific building grants were
transferred to the Edmonton Heritage Council, and are no
longer managed by the EAC.
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
Alberta Craft Council $19,500
Arts on the Avenue Society $8,100
Catalyst Theatre $18,100
CKUA Radio Network $25,500
Creative Practices Institute $2,900
Edmonton Jazz Society $9,000
Film and Video Arts Society Alberta $4,500
La Cité francophone $37,200
Latitude 53 Society of Artists $21,000
Metro Cinema Society $51,700
Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts $14,600
Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre $10,800
Société francophone des arts visuels
de l’Alberta
$15,900
Society of Northern Alberta Print-Artists $21,800
Theatre Network $20,400
Varscona Theatre $18,300
Walterdale Theatre Associates $9,600
Where Edmonton Community Artists Network (W.E.C.A.N.) Society
$6,400
Arts Building Operating
Catalyst Theatre’s “Vigilante” by Jonathan Christenson, photo by David Cooper FAVA and Silver Spur Drive-In movie night, photo by Heather Noel30
$315,300
Masks from the ceramics studio at the Nina Haggerty Centre, photo by Paul Freeman31
The Cornerstone Arts Operating process directs
support for our city’s large arts organizations that own
and operate major cultural facilities. Representatives
from these organizations meet with board members
and staff of the Edmonton Arts Council, representatives
of the City of Edmonton, and occasionally outside
assessors, to discuss the complex issues that they face.
The outcome is a funding agreement between the
EAC and the organization. Funds support operating
costs for the facility, and production and presentation
activities of the organization. Prior to 2013, these funds
were directed via other Operating programs managed
by the EAC.
Fringe Theatre Adventures was assessed through the
Cornerstone Arts Operating process for the first time in
2015. Funding previously allocated to Fringe Theatre
Adventures through other programs was transferred
to the amalgamated Cornerstone grant, at equal levels
to 2014.
The Art Gallery of Alberta’s 2015 support represents
$1,125,000 in base annual funding, plus $300,000 in
supplemental support from the EAC that is declining
on an annual basis, due to expire in 2017.
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
The Art Gallery of Alberta $1,425,000
The Citadel Theatre $1,042,000
The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra/Francis Winspear Centre for Music
$1,020,000
Fringe Theatre Adventures $342,000
Cornerstone $3,829,000
“Composting” by Jude Griebel, Art Gallery of Alberta Biennial, photo by Jenna Turner
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra's "Symphony in the City," photo supplied
32
Festivals bring together diverse cultural and community
groups, and allow arts and cultural communities to share
their passions with new audiences. Edmonton’s residents
and visitors celebrate at festivals year-round, and new
festival events are welcomed in our community. The
Festival Seed grant supports new or emerging festival
celebrations. Applicants may be considered for a Festival
Seed grant for up to two consecutive years.
The Edmonton Arts Council received nine eligible Festival
Seed applications in 2015, all of which were supported.
JURYKent Sutherland – Chair
Ron Harrison
Svetlana Sapelnikova
Matthew Wood
Kerrie Long
Giuseppe Albi
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
Edmonton Latin Festival $13,000
Relish Film Festival $8,500
Sand on Whyte $8,000
C'Mon Festival $3,000
Early Music Festival $5,000
Flying canöe volant $30,000
The Gotta Minute Film Festival $35,000
SkirtsAfire, HerArts Festival $12,000
Whyte Avenue Art Walk Festival $15,000
$129,500Festival Seed
Sand sculptures at the Sand on Whyte Festival, photo supplied
Megan Dart at SkirtsAfire, HerArts Festival, photo by Madison Kerr
33
Edmonton’s arts organizations range from the smallest
community groups to the largest professional flagships.
Together they form a creative, supportive framework
for the local arts community. The Arts Operating grant
program provides operational support to organizations
to enhance their ability to produce, exhibit and perform
artistic works for the benefit of all Edmontonians.
The Edmonton Arts Council received 112 applications
for Arts Operating funding in 2015, all of which were
supported.
Funds previously committed through this program
to Fringe Theatre Adventures were transferred to the
Cornerstone Arts Operating process in 2015.
JURYMurray Utas – Chair
(Professional Stream)
John Wiebe – Chair
(Community Stream)
Susanna Biro
Sable Chan
Amy DeFelice
Sally Hunt
Todd Janes
Sharmila Mathur
Lindsay McIntyre
Tololwa Mollel
Mary Pinkoski
Linda Rubin
Marc Siegner
Jordan Van Biert
Noel Xavier
Arts Operating
Troy O'Donnell, Jenny McKillop, Mark Sinongco, and Patricia Cerra in Concrete Theatre’s “The Early Bloomer” by Jana O’Connor, photo by Kim Clegg Kokopelli Youth Choir and director, Scott Leithead, photo supplied34
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
A Joyful Noise Choir Association
of Edmonton
$3,000
Alberta Ballet $242,000
Alberta Baroque Music Society $22,500
Alberta Choral Federation $23,000
Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts $4,100
Alberta Craft Council $61,000
Alberta Dance Alliance $15,000
Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society $4,000
Alberta Media Production Industries
Association
$16,500
Alberta Music Industry Association $5,000
Alberta Opera Touring Association $12,100
Alberta Playwrights' Network Society $8,000
Alberta Society of Artists $5,500
Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association $2,500
Ante Meridiem Choral Association $1,000
Ariose Women's Choir $1,100
Arts on the Avenue Edmonton Society $33,500
Association franco-albertaine de
L'Uni Théâtre
$35,000
Azimuth Theatre Association $35,000
Book Publishers Association of Alberta $7,000
Brail Tone Music Society of Canada $1,100
Brian Webb Dance Company $45,000
Canadian Authors Association
Alberta Branch
$7,600
Cantilon Choral Society $15,700
Catalyst Theatre Society of Alberta $54,500
Chronos Music Society of Alberta $1,200
Citie Ballet Society $50,000
Concordia Community Band $1,000
$2,310,050
Viter Ukrainian Dancers and Folk Choir's 20th Anniversary Concert, photo by Nina Karpoff
Neil Kuefler and Gianna Vacirca in Punctuate! Theatre’s production “The Suburban Motel Series” by George F. Walker, photo by Mat Simpson
Vinok Worldance, "Christmas Around the World," photo by Doyle C. Marko/DCM Photography
35
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
Ground Zero Productions $6,600
Where Edmonton Community Artists
Network (W.E.C.A.N) Society
$35,000
i Coristi Chamber Choir Society $5,000
Joy Spring Jazz Association $1,000
Kita no Taiko $2,000
Kiwanis Singers Association of Edmonton $3,500
Kokopelli Choir Association $30,500
Kompany Theatre Artists Society $5,500
KYKLOS - Hellenic Performing and Literary
Arts Group Society
$3,000
Latitude 53 Contemporary Visual Culture $55,500
McDougall Concert Association $1,000
Media Architecture Design Edmonton $5,000
Metro Cinema Society $83,000
Mile Zero Dance Society $39,000
Mill Creek Colliery Band Society $2,300
New Edmonton Wind Sinfonia $3,700
NeWest Publishers Ltd. $30,000
Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts $25,000
Northern Light Theatre $26,500
Nova Musica Society $750
Opera NUOVA $22,550
Polonez Polish Folk Arts Ensemble $500
Pro Coro Society - Edmonton $46,000
Punctuate! Theatre Society $3,000
Rapid Fire Theatre Society $40,000
Regroupement artistique francophone
de l'Alberta
$8,000
Richard Eaton Singers $10,400
Ritchie Trombone Choir Association $1,000
Sadhana Music and Dance Society $1,000
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
Concrete Theatre Society $35,300
Cosmopolitan Music Society $13,000
CRIPSiE $1,800
Da Camera Singers $4,000
Edmonton Calligraphic Society $1,700
Edmonton Chamber Music Society $10,500
Edmonton Classical Guitar Society $2,000
Edmonton Columbian Choirs $5,500
Edmonton Jazz Society $35,000
Edmonton Kiwanis Music Festival
Association
$15,300
Edmonton Metropolitan Chorus Society $4,100
Edmonton Movie Club $1,200
Edmonton Musical Theatre $3,500
Edmonton New Shadow Theatre $27,500
Edmonton Opera Association $310,000
Edmonton Philharmonic Society $1,200
Edmonton Potters' Guild $7,000
Edmonton Schoolboys' Band Alumni
Association
$1,000
Edmonton Story Slam Society $700
Edmonton Vocal Alchemy Society $3,000
Edmonton Vocal Minority Music Society $2,750
Edmonton Weavers' Guild $5,000
Edmonton Young Voices $1,800
Edmonton Youth Choir Association $9,300
Edmonton Youth Orchestra Association $23,400
Festival City Winds Music Society $7,500
Film and Video Arts Society - Alberta $94,900
Firefly Theatre and Circus Society $30,000
Good Women Dance Society $7,000
Greenwood Chamber Singers Society $4,000
Arts Operating continued
36
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
Sculptors' Association of Alberta $5,000
Sing For Life Society of Edmonton $2,000
Society for New Music in Edmonton $6,000
Society of Northern Alberta Print-Artists
(SNAP)
$47,000
St. David's Welsh Male Voice Choir
Association
$500
Stroll of Poets Society $3,400
Today's Innovative Music Edmonton
(T.I.M.E.) Association
$5,000
TALES Edmonton Chapter $2,000
Teatro la Quindicina $18,300
The Copper Pig Writers' Society $1,000
Theatre Alberta Society $36,100
Theatre Network Society $55,000
Theatre Prospero $5,000
Two One Way Tickets to Broadway
Productions Society
$3,500
TYS Theatre Yes Society $5,600
Ukrainian Cheremosh Society $15,500
Ukrainian Shumka Dancers $70,000
Vinok Folkdance Society $27,500
Visual Arts Alberta Association $18,500
Viter Ukrainian Dancers and Folk Choir $7,700
Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
Association
$3,300
Walterdale Theatre Associates $16,000
Workshop West Playwrights' Theatre
Society
$43,000
Writers' Guild of Alberta $20,000
Young Alberta Book Society $15,000
Edmonton Metropolitan Chorus “Wizardry of Worthington” concert, Conductor David Garber, photo by Hal Thiessen
Edmonton Philharmonic Orchestra Christmas concert, Conductor Murray Vaasjo, photo by Jim Triscott
Katrina Beatty, Andrew Scholotiuk, Matt Vest, Christina Ienna at the FAVA Fest Gala, photo by Fish Griwkowsky 37
Community Arts
Community art is valued for its ability to bring people together in
shared, collaborative, creative experiences to express the things
that have meaning to us. The program invests in projects that are
described as collaborations between professional artists and a distinct
community. Applicants can be individuals, organizations or groups
that define themselves by geography, tradition, culture or spirit.
The Edmonton Arts Council received a total of 26 Community Arts
applications in 2015, 11 of which were supported.
These grants were funded in part by the City of Edmonton
Community Investment Program and in part by The Lee Fund for
the Arts endowment held by the Edmonton Community Foundation.
RECIPIENTS PROJECT AMOUNT
Boyle Street Community Services Youth multimedia lab film project $10,000
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church A community mural project $14,750
The Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta Three week video intensive for youth $15,000
Boyle Street Education Centre Poetry/photography project in the community $10,000
Workshop West Playwrights' Theatre This is YEG: new plays for a changing city $10,000
Quarters Arts Society Inner City Lights: a collaborative art making project $14,750
Rising Sun Theatre Society Theatre creation: Around the world with Rising Sun $15,000
The Bent Arrow Traditional
Healing Society
Becoming Edmonton: a cinema/digital oral history project $15,000
La Cité francophone The research and re-creation of the first meetings between
Alberta's First Nations people and the French voyageurs
$10,000
Theatre Yes Society Theatre creation: Edmonton based oil workers $15,000
Alberta Aboriginal Performing
Arts Association
Professional Indigenous artists and youth: SOAR 2015 $10,000
JURYScott Portingale – Chair
Stephanie Gregorowitch
Ainsley Hilliard
Trina Moyles
DJ PadamanFAVA Future Visions youth project, photo supplied
38
$139,500
SOAR, photo by Jade Ehlers 39
Individual artists and their work are
the foundation of our arts community.
Their projects are the research and
development activity of the creative
sector, feeding the greater arts
ecosystem locally and for export.
Investments made through the
Project Grant for Individual Artists
help recipients move ahead with their
creative projects in order to develop
their practice.
The Edmonton Arts Council received
196 eligible applications to this program
in 2015, requesting nearly $3 million.
Forty-six projects were supported.
JURYJeff Haslam – Chair
Angie Abdou
Duke Pier
Pat Darbasie
Bert Richards
Laura Krewski
Teace Snyder
Juan Lopezdabdoub
Jill Stanton
Naomi McIllraith
Niobe Thompson
Nancy Yuen
Individual Artists $600,000
“War Memories Concert,” Vaughan String Quartet Canadian Journey Series, photo by David Pipke
"The Secret Life of Pianos" documentary film directed by Marie-France Guerrette, produced by Steve Jodoin, photo by Steve Jodoin40
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
Trevor Anderson $15,000
Chenoa Anderson $5,000
Wayne Arthurson $17,000
Jalal Barzanji $15,000
Devon Beggs $3,400
Paul Bernhardt $15,000
Amber Jane Borotsik $18,800
Timothy Jon Bowling $18,000
Jocelyn Brown $16,000
Silvia Buttiglione $17,000
Nathan Cuckow $20,000
Kat Danser $25,000
Amy DeFelice $25,000
Rosvita Dransfeld $25,000
Jerrold Dubyk $1,200
Maria Dunn $15,000
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
Allan Nimmo Gilliland $4,900
Marie-France Guerrette $18,650
Usha Gupta $19,000
Kristi Hansen $25,000
Justine Hartlieb-Power $4,750
Matthew Howatt $4,750
Dara Humniski $4,600
Christina Ienna $21,000
Bridget Jessome $2,350
Kristen Keegan $9,600
Sima Khorrami $15,000
Frederick Kroetsch $23,000
Margaret Macpherson $4,000
Candace Makowichuk $9,900
Lisa Martin $20,000
Jennifer Mesch $8,400
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
Tololwa Mollel $10,000
aAron munson $25,000
Hilary Mussell $3,400
Matt Nickel $3,700
Charles Pilon $1,050
Scott Portingale $20,500
Kathryn Ryan $24,500
Travis Sargent $6,200
Nicole Schafenacker $2,800
Leslie Sharpe $18,000
Heather Shillinglaw $7,800
Whitney Leigh Sloan $1,650
Lisa Turner $15,000
Cat Walsh $14,100
Heather Shillinglaw “Indian Summer, Nehiyaw Nipin” from Dreaming with my ‘Great Mother’ ‘Dirine ne’ ‘Nikawinaw Askiy,’ photo by Shane Golby
Caley Suliak, Gianna Vacirca, Monica Maddaford, Althea Cunningham, Julien Arnold, Mat Busby, and Byron Martin in Trunk Theatre’s “In The Next Room, or the vibrator play,” photo by Mat Busby.
41
Travel Grants assist with the travel costs of Edmonton
residents active in the arts and festival communities.
Travelling to perform, conduct research, attend
conferences, or exhibit work offers professional
and creative opportunities that may not exist
locally. These outside opportunities are vital to the
continued advancement and growth of Edmonton’s
arts community.
Travel grants are available to a maximum of $750 per
individual applicant. The Edmonton Arts Council
received nearly 200 travel grant applications in 2015,
of which more than 125 were supported.
One not-for-profit arts organization, Grindstone
Theatre Society, received a travel grant of $1,250
to support six Edmonton artists’ participation at
the Regina and Winnipeg Fringe Festivals.
JURORS that assessed travel grants over the course
of three deadlines in 2015 include:
Ahmed Ali – Chair
Wayne Arthurson
Connor Buchanan
Jeff Collins
Brenda Draney
Benjamin Freeland
Kathy MacIntosh
Adam Pappas
Niobe Thompson
Travel Grants $89,269
"Lily" by Brady Simpson, photo supplied
Works from Sandra Bromley’s residency in Jingdezhen, China, photo supplied42
aAron munson
Allison Balcetis
Amber Borotsik
Amelia Shultz-McPherson
Amy Loewan
Ariane Lemire
Ashanti Karimah Marshall
Blake McWilliam
Bradley Tebble
Christopher Quesnel
Danielle Soneff
Dara Armsden
Darian Stahl
Dwayne Martineau
Eric Doucet
Fish Griwkowsky
Gavin Dunn
Jacques Arsenault
Jeff Stuart
Jessica Marsh
Johnny Blerot
Kathleen Danser
Kathleen Jessup
Kathy Fisher
Kristen Keegan
Lauren Gillis
Leslie Holmes
Lindsey McNeill
Maigan van der Giessen
Mary Joyce
Mary Norton
Michelle Sabourin
Morgan Wedderspoon
Murray Wood
Peter Wunstorf
Rebecca Warren
Rene Englot
Ritchie Velthuis
Robert Walsh
Shea Connor
Stuart Ballah
Trevor Anderson
Trevor Mann
Patrick Arès-Pilon
Nicolas Arnaez
Paul Arnusch
Maggie Baird
Narisa Bandali
Fabiola Belarmino de Farias Amorim
Lyle Bell
Thomas Bennett
Mattia Berrini
Silvia Buttiglione
Beau Coleman
Demmi Connolly
Dan Davis
Jerrold Dubyk
Emma Frazier
Marina Fridman
Raimundo Gonzalez
Benjamin Gorodetsky
Khushboo Goyal
Usha Gupta
Christine Hanson
Shumaila Hemani
Todd Houseman
Matthew Howatt
Christine Lesiak
Beth Levia
Vladimir Machado Rufino
Christan Maslyk
Josh McHan
Jennifer Mesch
Riya Mittal
Gerry Morita
Spencer Murray
Michael Noga
Jennifer O'Donnell
Marla Palakkamanil
Adam Pappas
Kimberly Rackel
Clyde Rigsby
Liam Salmon
Nicole Schafenacker
Giorgia Severini
Brady Simpson
Emilie St-Hilaire
Matthew Stepanic
Jordan Van Biert
Kami Van Halst
Tom Van Seters
Keith Walker
David Wolkowski
Miranda Allen
Joyce Boyer
Sandra Bromley
Kasie Campbell
Dario Charles
Keith Colli
Mark Davis
Stefan Duret
Jay Gilday
Scott Greene
Darrin Hagen
Elizabeth Hobbs
Tasreen Hudson
Alison Hughes
Bridget Jessome
Jonathan Kawchuk
Lee Klippenstein
Heather Leier
Mathew Letersky
Patrick Lundeen
Denise Mackay
Matthew MacKenzie
Lianna Makuch
Joses Martin
Tammy-Jo Mortensen
Ali Nickerson
Darcia Parada
Sean Picard
Brett Seaton
James Stewart
Peter Stone
Ben Sures
Klyment Tan
Dallas Thompson
Matthew Wilkinson
Jenny Willson-McGrath
Beth Wishart-MacKenzie
Jeremy Witten
Mary Wood
Rachel Woznow
RECIPIENTS
“Culture de résistance,” Montreal, by Mary Joyce, photo by S. Heaton
43
The City of Edmonton, through the Edmonton Arts
Council, established the Cultural Diversity in the Arts
Program to recognize that artists from all parts of the
world enrich Edmonton’s cultural scene.
This is the second round of project grants from this
program. Following significant review and consultation,
the EAC revised the delivery of this program in 2014,
to become a project grant that now parallels other
programs for individual artists.
Cultural Diversity in the Arts project grants may be
awarded to a normal maximum of $15,000. In 2015
the EAC received 24 eligible applications, of which
10 were supported.
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
Malcolm Azania (aka Minister Faust) $14,900
Shreela Chakrabartty $8,000
Ruben Contreras $15,000
Yong Fei Guan $15,000
Ben Gorodetsky $7,000
Shumaila Hemani $15,000
Juan Lopezdabdoub $12,500
Emmanuel Osahor $9,000
Elsa Robinson $15,000
Amena Shehab $15,000
JURYAhmed Ali – Chair Jaime Calayo Marina Mair-Sanchez
Kat Danser Lindsay McIntyre Alexis Keinlen
$126,400Cultural Diversity in the Arts
Todd Houseman and Ben Gorodetsky of Folk Lordz visit the Snowking Arts and Music Festival, Yellowknife, North West Territories, photo by Ben Gorodetsky Yong Fei Guan with her “Little Monkey in a Tree” series at Paintspot, photo by Annette Aslund
44
Celebrations bring together members of our
communities to recognize cultural traditions or
create new ones. Celebrations grants assist with the
production of one-day celebratory events and/or
major parades within the City of Edmonton.
The Edmonton Arts Council received five eligible
applications for Celebrations funding in 2015, all
of which were supported.
JURYChristine Frederick - Chair
Beth Wishart MacKenzie
Marissa Loewen
Habib Fatmi
RECIPIENT AMOUNT
Sourdough Raft Race Association $2,500
Riverbend Community League $2,500
Edmonton Blues Hall of Fame $920
Mill Woods Presidents' Council $15,000
Canadian Hungarian Cultural Society
of Edmonton
$4,000
$24,920Celebrations
Prayer and wish flags at Riverbend Community League’s Art in Our Park, photo by Bob Bowhay
Csardas Hungarian Folkdance Ensemble at the Canadian Hungarian Cultural Society’s 40th Anniversary celebration, photo by Gábor Takáts 45
Administrators form an integral part of the arts infrastructure
of Edmonton. The work behind the scenes, and the expertise
required for all aspects of arts management, is often under-
recognized. The individuals who specialize in this field are a
critical piece of a sustainable arts ecosystem.
John Mahon was the Executive Director of the Edmonton
Arts Council for 15 years until his retirement in 2013. This fund
and program recognizes his contributions to the Edmonton
arts community by providing short-term support to local
arts organizations to allow their senior administrators to
undertake sabbatical leave projects.
The 2015 Award is funded in part by donations from
the community, and in part by a special grant from the
Edmonton Community Foundation.
RECIPIENT AMOUNTThe Edmonton International Film Festival $25,000
in support of Executive Director Kerrie Long
JURYBrian Webb – Chair
Carol Holmes
Fawnda Mithrush
Raj Nigam
$25,000John Mahon Arts Administrators’ Sabbatical Fund
Edmonton International Film Festival, photo by Cassian Soltykevych. Kerrie Long, Edmonton International Film Festival, photo by Cassian Soltykevych46
RECIPIENTS
Malcolm Azania (aka Minister Faust)
Richard Thomas Bennett
Raylene Campbell
Curtis Gillespie
Ainsley Hillyard
Gerry Morita
Jana O’Connor
Matthew Wood (aka CREEAZN)
The Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund (EATF) is a joint project of the Edmonton
Arts Council and the Edmonton Community Foundation. The EATF is
designed to invest in Edmonton’s creative community and encourage
artists to stay in our community. The funds are intended to offset living and
working expenses, allowing the artist to devote a concentrated period of
time to his/her artistic activities, career enhancement and/or development.
The EAC received 59 nominations for this award in 2015. Eight artists were
selected. Awards were fixed at $7,500 each.
These awards are provided through an endowment held by the Edmonton
Community Foundation.
JURYMary Phillips-Rickey – Chair Trevor Anderson
Usha Gupta
Andriey Talpash
$60,000Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund
Matthew Wood at Cypherwild, photo by Daena Crosby. Thom Bennett, photo supplied
47
$7100Microgrant
With no set deadlines for applications and amounts
up to $1,000 available per recipient, the Microgrant
program supports the hard costs associated with
timely, short-term projects that might otherwise
falter for want of a small investment.
For much of 2015, the Microgrant program was
suspended and under review. Applications were
opened beginning in September, and the EAC
reviewed approximately 25 submissions before
the end of the year.
Applications to this program were reviewed by an
EAC staff panel.
RECIPIENTS
Alysha Creighton
Lauren Dary
Teresa Dzavik
Jeffrey Klassen
Jason Kuchar
Nicolas Laroche-Humby
Conor McNally
Emilio de Mercato
Nathaniel Sutton
Matthew Struth
Mikolaj Warszynski
“Pehonan: As Remembered by Dwayne Donald” by Conor McNally, photo provided
Electric Audrey II, photo by Jessi Toms
“Stunning” from the in my skin exhibit, photo by Lauren Dary48
The Eldon and Anne Foote Visual Arts Prize in
partnership with the Edmonton Community
Foundation and the Visual Arts Alberta Association
Julian Forrest was nominated by Strathcona County Art
Gallery @501, and won the prize for his work Perceptual
Disorders (after Keret). Two short listed artists, Blair Brennan
and Jill Stanton were also recognized.
The Edmonton Film Prize in partnership with the
Alberta Media Production Industries Association
The 2015 Edmonton Film Prize was awarded to Niobe
Thompson for his documentary The Great Human
Odyssey. Two shortlisted filmmakers, Trevor Anderson
and Eva Colmers were also recognized.
The Edmonton Music Prize in partnership with the
Alberta Music Industry Association
Heavy metal band Striker was awarded the Edmonton
Music Prize for their album, City of Gold. Two short listed
recordings were also recognized – Lucette’s Black is the
Color and Faith Healer’s Cosmic Troubles.
The Robert Kroetsch City of Edmonton Book Prize
in partnership with the Writers' Guild of Alberta
and Audreys Books
Rudy Wiebe received the 2015 Robert Kroetsch City
of Edmonton Book Prize for Come Back.
Partner Awards
2.57k by Eva Colmers, photo supplied
Striker, photo by Dana Zuk Photography
The Little Deputy, 2015, short film by Trevor Anderson, photo by Dirt City Films 49
financial statementsfor the year ended December 31, 2015
Sharmila Mathur of the Indian Music Academy at the Edmonton Arts Council AGM, photo by Shrina Patel
Ikenna Onyegbula at Edmonton Poetry Festival, photo by Randall Edwards
Major Matt Mason Collective in “Air” at Found Festival, photo by Nico Humby Jordan Van Biert and Chronos Vocal Ensemble at Trinity Lutheran Church, photo by Erik Visser
Sharmila Mathur of the Indian Music Academy at the Edmonton Arts Council AGM, photo by Shrina Patel
Ikenna Onyegbula at Edmonton Poetry Festival, photo by Randall Edwards
Jordan Van Biert and Chronos Vocal Ensemble at Trinity Lutheran Church, photo by Erik VisserMajor Matt Mason Collective in “Air” at Found Festival, photo by Nico Humby50
Report on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying financial statements
of The Edmonton Arts Council Society, which comprise the
statement of financial position at December 31, 2015, and
the statements of operations and changes in fund balance,
and cash flows for the year then ended, and a summary
of significant accounting policies and other explanatory
information.
Management's Responsibility for the Financial StatementsManagement is responsible for the preparation and
fair presentation of these financial statements in
accordance with Canadian accounting standards for
not-for-profit organizations, and for such internal control
as management determines is necessary to enable the
preparation of financial statements that are free from
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor's ResponsibilityOur responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our
audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted
auditing standards. Those standards require that we comply
with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit
evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. The procedures selected depend on
the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the
risks of material misstatement of the financial statements,
whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk
assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant
to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the
financial statements in order to design audit procedures
that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the
purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness
of the entity's internal control. An audit also includes
evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies
used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is
sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit
opinion.
OpinionIn our opinion, these financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Edmonton
Arts Council Society as at December 31, 2015, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then
ended in accordance with Canadian accounting standards
for not-for-profit organizations.
Edmonton, Alberta Chartered Accountants
April 8, 2016
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
To the Members of: The Edmonton Arts Council Society
51
Statement of Financial Position December 31, 2015
Assets 2015 2014General Fund
Cash $ 392,098 $ 437,048
Accounts receivable (Note 3) 70,393 54,306
462,491 491,354
TIX on the Square Fund
Cash 56,575 27,559
Due from General Fund (Note 12) 100,000 132,384
156,575 159,943
Casino Fund
Cash 56,024 9,711
Program Fund
Cash 106,173 170,618
Accounts receivable 50,000 37,250
156,173 207,868
Community Investment Grants Fund
Cash 317,230 220,134
Accounts receivable 22,500 72,306
339,730 292,440
Public Art Fund
Cash 2,672,032 1,106,979
Accounts receivable 5,034,048 4,795,688
Prepaid expenses and deposits 2,333 2,333
7,708,413 5,905,000
Property and Equipment Fund
Property and equipment (Note 2) 101,732 118,142
$ 8,981,138 $ 7,184,458
52
Statement of Financial Position December 31, 2015
Liabilities 2015 2014General Fund
Accounts payable $ 10,953 $ 88,299
Due to TIX Fund (Note 12) 100,000 132,384
110,953 220,683
TIX on the Square Fund
Accounts payable 10,282 53,319
Unearned revenue (Note 6) 5,037 5,240
15,319 58,559
Program Fund
Accounts payable 59,654 57,873
Community Investment Grants Fund
Accounts payable 259,230 241,940
Public Art Fund
Accounts payable 5,996,638 4,660,578
6,441,794 5,239,633
Fund BalancesGeneral Fund 351,538 270,671
TIX on the Square Fund 141,256 101,384
Casino Fund 56,024 9,711
Program Fund 96,519 149,995
Community Investment Grants Fund 80,500 50,500
Public Art Fund 1,711,775 1,244,422
Property and Equipment Fund 101,732 118,142
2,539,344 1,944,825
$8,981,138 $7,184,458
53
General Fund 2015 2014Revenue
City of Edmonton service contract (Note 8) $ 1,417,396 $ 1,491,063
Other income 13,239 21,681
Investment income 9,572 9,880
Memberships 6,550 9,175
Grant - administration 7,629 3,602
1,454,386 1,535,401
Expenditures
Staffing costs and benefits 995,239 982,548
Office costs 98,954 59,003
Telephone, internet and website 51,261 54,348
Jury and honorariums 29,167 28,499
Rent 27,730 22,094
Board of Directors costs and Annual General Meeting 24,475 14,574
Conferences and travel 15,780 2,450
Equipment lease 14,891 30,070
Marketing and promotion 12,823 6,962
Consulting fees 10,445 6,770
Professional fees 8,200 7,560
Insurance 6,277 6,277
Bank charges and interest 1,167 929
1,296,409 1,222,084
Excess of revenue over expenditures 157,977 313,317
Transfer to Property and Equipment Fund (19,237) (62,763)
Transfer from (to) Public Art Fund 31,555 (23,511)
Transfer to TIX on the Square Fund (103,066) (185,000)
Transfer from Casino Fund 13,638 30,643
(77,110) (240,631)
Net increase in Fund balance 80,867 72,686
Fund balance, beginning of year 270,671 197,985
Fund balance, end of year $ 351,538 $ 270,671
Statement of Operations and Changes in Fund BalanceFor the year ended December 31, 2015
54
TIX on the Square Fund 2015 2014Revenue
Sales for distribution $ 2,168,964 $ 1,589,266
Commissions 172,431 149,276
City of Edmonton - Operating income 60,000 60,000
Credit card charges recovered 48,216 32,394
Gift certificates 1,134 18,565
2,450,745 1,849,501
Expenditures
Sales reimbursement 2,096,898 1,535,086
Staffing costs and benefits 241,530 231,462
Purchases 51,118 60,280
Credit card charges 32,192 30,123
Rent 24,970 24,460
Office 23,629 26,043
Advertising and promotion 14,609 5,492
Bank charges and interest 14,603 10,807
Telephone 10,884 6,981
E-Commerce 3,506 3,881
2,513,939 1,934,615
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenditures (63,194) (85,114)
Transfer from General Fund 103,066 185,000
Fund balance, beginning of year 101,384 1,498
Fund balance, end of year $ 141,256 $ 101,384
Statement of Operations and Changes in Fund BalanceFor the year ended December 31, 2015
55
Casino Fund 2015 2014Revenue
Casino revenue $ 79,978 $ 2,350
Investment income - 66
79,978 2,416
Expenditures
Casino expenses 14 2,304
Interest and bank charges 13 56
27 2,360
Excess of revenue over expenditures 79,951 56
Transfers to General Fund (13,638) (30,643)
Transfer to Program Fund (20,000) (27,000)
(33,638) (57,643)
Net increase in Fund balance 46,313 (57,587)
Fund balance, beginning of year 9,711 67,298
Fund balance, end of year $ 56,024 $ 9,711
Statement of Operations and Changes in Fund Balance For the year ended December 31, 2015
56
Program Fund 2015 2014Revenue
City of Edmonton - Programs $ 1,622,666 $ 1,621,281
City of Edmonton - Sir Winston Churchill Square 115,000 100,000
Edmonton Artists Trust Fund (Note 4) 72,000 72,000
Alberta Foundation for the Arts 75,000 -
Lee Fund Grant 55,000 50,017
Arts Administrator Sabbatical Fund (Note 4) 50,000 2,203
1,989,666 1,845,501
Expenditures
Arts Habitat 450,000 500,000
Cornerstone Grants 396,461 419,603
New Pathways 340,933 75,144
Special Programs 270,255 335,479
Sir Winston Churchill Square 173,829 132,175
Aboriginal Initiatives 149,019 77,408
Living Local 75,000 75,000
Lee Fund Grant 70,000 75,000
Edmonton Artists Trust Fund 61,000 72,000
Arts on the Avenue 51,645 50,000
Arts Administrator Sabbatical Fund 25,000 58,000
2,063,142 1,869,809
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenditures (73,476) (24,308)
Transfer from Casino Fund 20,000 27,000
Fund balance, beginning of year 149,995 147,303
Fund balance, end of year $ 96,519 $ 149,995
Statement of Operations and Changes in Fund BalanceFor the year ended December 31, 2015
57
Property and Equipment Fund 2015 2014Expenditures
Amortization $ 35,647 $ 34,851
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenditures (35,647) (34,851)
Transfer from General Fund 19,237 62,763
Fund balance, beginning of year 118,142 90,230
Fund balance, end of year $ 101,732 $ 118,142
Public Art FundRevenue
City of Edmonton - Public Art Funds revenue $ 3,393,200 $ 4,965,700
Expenditures
Public Art Projects expenditures (Notes 10 and 11) 2,894,292 4,023,293
Excess of revenue over expenditures 498,908 942,407
Transfer from (to) General Fund (31,555) 23,511
Fund balance, beginning of year 1,244,422 278,504
Fund balance, end of year (Note 10) $ 1,711,775 $ 1,244,422
Statement of Operations and Changes in Fund BalanceFor the year ended December 31, 2015
58
Community Investment Grants Fund 2015 2014Revenue
City of Edmonton Community Investment Grants $ 8,980,000 $ 8,843,111
Investment income 12,685 29,063
8,992,685 8,872,174
Expenditures
Arts Operating Grants 5,839,050 5,475,100
Festival Operating Grants 1,547,300 1,730,050
Edmonton Artists Individual Grants 600,000 556,880
Arts and Museum Building Operating Grants 357,500 434,800
Administration 142,146 172,957
Festival Seed Grants 129,500 120,400
Cultural Diversity Awards 126,400 86,700
Travel Grants 89,269 76,515
Community Arts Grants 69,500 47,600
Major Parade and Celebration Grants 24,920 37,500
Emergency Grants 20,000 24,500
Organizational Support Grants 10,000 13,902
Microgrants 7,100 69,770
8,962,685 8,846,674
Excess of revenue over expenditures 30,000 25,500
Fund balance, beginning of year 50,500 25,000
Fund balance, end of year $ 80,500 $ 50,500
Statement of Operations and Changes in Fund BalanceFor the year ended December 31, 2015
59
General Fund 2015 2014Net inflow (outflow) of cash related to the following activities:
Operating activities
Excess of revenue over expenditures $ 157,977 $ 313,317
Change in non-cash balances relating to operations
Accounts receivable (16,087) 192,838
Accounts payable (77,346) 39,140
64,544 545,295
Financing activities
Loan payable from (to) TIX Fund (32,384) 132,384
Transfer to Property and Equipment Fund (19,237) (62,763)
Transfer to TIX on the Square Fund (103,066) (185,000)
Transfer from (to) Public Art Fund 31,555 (23,511)
Transfer from Casino Fund 13,638 30,643
(109,494) (108,247)
Increase (decrease) in cash (44,950) 437,048
Cash, beginning of year 437,048 -
Cash, end of year $ 392,098 $ 437,048
Statement of Cash FlowsFor the year ended December 31, 2015
60
Nature of OperationsThe Edmonton Arts Council Society (EAC) exists to support
and promote the arts community in Edmonton. The EAC
meets the needs of its members and the arts community
as a whole though activities that:
- help provide financial support to festivals, arts
organizations and individual artists;
- educate those who play a role in the success of the arts
community about the quality of artistic work produced
here, its importance to the city, and its needs;
- advise decision makers on specific issues that affect
the arts; and
- nurture the quality of artistic work produced here.
The EAC was incorporated on April 19, 1995 under
the Societies Act of the Province of Alberta and was
registered as a charity effective August 1, 1997 under
the Income Tax Act of Canada. Work carried on by the
EAC is dependent upon the current Service Agreement
funded by the City of Edmonton.
The Society follows the restricted fund method of
accounting and the operations of the Society are
organized into project funds. A summary of each of
the funds is as follows:
General FundDonations which have not been designated by the
donor for one of the other funds are placed in the
General Fund. The costs of administering the Society
and the costs of improving or expanding the Society
are recorded in this fund.
TIX on the Square FundTIX on the Square is a community box office, Ticketmaster
outlet, retail store, and information booth. It is owned
and operated by The Edmonton Arts Council Society
and serves the entire arts and cultural community in
the greater Edmonton region.
Casino FundThe Casino Fund was set up in response to the Alberta
Gaming and Liquor Commission’s requirement to have
a separate account to receive proceeds from casinos
managed by the Society. Funds from this account
can only be spent in areas designated in each casino
application. Proceeds are used mainly for community
programs as well as EAC and TIX on the Square website
development and updates. The Society currently holds a
fundraising casino every two years.
Program FundWhen requested by the City of Edmonton, the EAC
produces special projects. These projects have included
Churchill Square Programming, revitalization projects on
Alberta Avenue and others. In addition, the EAC develops
grant programs with the Edmonton Community
Foundation and corporate partners.
Public Art FundThe Service Agreement between the City of Edmonton
and the EAC identifies support for the City's public art
program as a core duty of the EAC. This involves creation
of master plans for public art, policy development, and
production of specific public art projects generated by
the Percent for Art program or from other sources. The
public arts projects are multi-year projects that range
from three to seven years.
Community Investment Grants (CIG) FundService Agreement between the City of Edmonton and
the EAC identifies responsibility for the City's Community
Investment Grants program in the arts and festivals as
a core duty of the EAC. This involves administration
of all relevant existing CIG grant programs as well as
development of new CIG grant programs in the arts
and festivals.
Notes to Financial StatementsFor the year ended December 31, 2015
61
Property and Equipment FundThe Property and Equipment Fund was established
to collect and disburse funds on capital projects
undertaken by the EAC and to maintain the assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses related to the
Society's property and equipment.
Note 1: Significant Accounting PoliciesBasis of Presentation
These financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with Canadian accounting standards for
not-for-profit organizations.
Revenue Recognition
Restricted contributions are recognized as revenue of the
appropriate fund in the year in which the events giving
rise to the contribution have occurred. If a separate fund
does not exist, the restricted contribution will be recorded
as part of the General Fund and will be deferred and
recognized as revenue when the related expenses are
incurred. Unrestricted contributions are recognized as
revenue of the General Fund in the year received.
Cash
Cash includes cash on hand, bank deposits and term
investments with maturities less than one year.
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment are recorded at cost. Amortization
is calculated on the declining balance basis over the assets
estimated useful life at the following annual rates:
Computer equipment and website 30%
TIX renovations 30%
Office equipment 20%
Vehicle 30%
Contributed Services
Contributed services of volunteers are not recognized as
revenue in these financial statements because their fair
value cannot be reasonably determined.
Contributed Goods
The Society only records non-cash donations when a
charitable receipt is issued. These donations are recorded
at the fair value of the items received.
Donations
With the establishment of the Edmonton Artists Trust
Fund (Note 4) and John Mahon Arts Administrator
Sabbatical Fund, donations that are not restricted are
forwarded directly to either Fund held by the Edmonton
Community Foundation at the discretion of the Society.
Income Taxes
The Society is a not-for-profit organization incorporated
under the Societies Act of the Province of Alberta and, as
such, is exempt from income taxes under Section 149(1)
of the Income Tax Act of Canada.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance
with Canadian accounting standards for not-for- profit
organizations requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amount of
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements
and the reported amount of receipts and disbursements
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
Items subject to significant management estimates
include valuation of accounts receivables, accounts
payable and accrued liabilities, and amortization.
Notes to Financial StatementsFor the year ended December 31, 2015
62
Financial Instruments
Financial instruments are recorded at fair value when
acquired or issued. In subsequent periods, financial
instruments with actively traded markets are reported at
fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in the
statement of income. All other financial instruments are
reported at amortized cost and tested for impairment at
each reporting date. Transaction costs on the acquisition,
sale or issuance of financial instruments are expensed
when incurred. Conversely, transaction costs are added
to the carrying amount for those financial instruments
subsequently measured at amortized cost.
Long-lived Assets
Long-lived assets consist of property and equipment. Long-
lived assets held for use are measured and amortized as
described in the applicable accounting policies.
The Society performs impairment testing on long-lived
assets held for use whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset,
or group of assets, may not be recoverable. Impairment
losses are recognized when undiscounted future cash
flows from its use and disposal are less than the asset's
carrying amount. Impairment is measured as the amount
by which the asset's carrying value exceeds its fair value.
Any impairment is included in earnings for the year.
Note 3: Government RemittancesAs of December 31, 2015, accounts receivable includes
$59,379 (2014 - $41,329) of Goods and Services Tax
receivable from the federal government.
Note 4: Trust Funds Held by the Edmonton Community Foundation The Edmonton Artists Trust Fund (EATF) and John Mahon
Arts Administrator Sabbatical Fund (JMAASF) are joint
projects of the EAC and the Edmonton Community
Foundation (ECF). The purpose of the EATF fund is to
invest in Edmonton's creative community by providing
grants to individual artists who are living and working
in Edmonton. The purpose of the JMAASF fund is to
enhance the quality of life for those living in the greater
Edmonton area by supporting qualified donees that
support and promote the arts in Edmonton. Open-ended
endowment funds have been established with ECF to
which anyone can make tax deductible donations.
Note 5: CommitmentsThe EAC has committed to minimum monthly lease
payments of $1,653 per month for premises they
occupy until March 2017.
Notes to Financial StatementsFor the year ended December 31, 2015
Note 2: Property and Equipment
Cost Accumulated Amortization
2015 Net Book Value
2014 Net Book Value
Computer equipment and website $ 261,112 221,166 $ 39,946 $ 52,748
TIX renovations 60,284 34,304 25,980 37,115
Vehicle 13,399 7,819 5,580 7,972
Office equipment 53,400 23,174 30,226 20,308
$ 388,195 286,463 $ 101,732 $ 118,142
63
Notes to Financial StatementsFor the year ended December 31, 2015
Note 6: Unearned RevenueUnearned revenue of the TIX on the Square Fund is
comprised of gift certificates sold that have not been
redeemed.
Note 7: Financial InstrumentsCredit Risk
Credit risk arises from the potential that a counter party
will fail to perform its obligations. The Society is exposed
to credit risk in respect to its accounts receivable balances
and cash balances. Cash is held at major financial
institutions minimizing any potential exposure to credit
risk. It is management's opinion that the risk related to
accounts receivable is minimal since the Society only
deals with what management believes to be financially
sound counterparts and, accordingly does not anticipate
significant loss for non- performance. As at December 31,
2015, accounts receivable consists of 95% (2014 - 97%)
due from the City of Edmonton thereby increasing the
concentration of credit risk.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that an entity will encounter
difficulty in meeting obligations associated with
financial liabilities. The Society is exposed to this risk
mainly in respect of its receipts from its funders and
accounts payable.
Note 8: Economic DependenceOngoing operations of the EAC are dependent
upon receiving continuing funding from the City of
Edmonton. The current service agreement is in effect
until December 31, 2016.
Note 9: Comparative FiguresCertain comparative figures have been reclassified to
conform with the current year's presentation.
Note 10: Public Art FundPublic art disbursements include artist fees, conservation
work, and administration. The fund balance at the end of
the year includes reserves for future conservation work.
Note 11: Allocated ExpensesCertain costs are recorded in the General Fund and
then allocated to other funds. The allocations are based
on staff time used by each fund. Included in Public Art
expenditures in the Public Art Fund is $172,068 (2014 -
$235,479) in staffing costs and benefits allocated from the
General Fund.
Note 12: Due from (to) TIXThe balance due from (to) TIX is unsecured and non-
interest bearing. The balance outstanding is expected to
be settled within the next fiscal year.
64
“Impose” by the Threshold Collective, photo by Aspen Zettel Photography Faiith at Up+Downtown Music and Arts Festival, photo by Eric Kozakiewicz
Juan Lopezdabdoub exhibit at Nina Haggerty for The Works Art and Design Festival, photo by Annette Aslund
Shumka’s KOBZAR…a work in progress; to premiere in April of 2016, photo providedShumka’s KOBZAR…a work in progress; to premiere in April of 2016, photo provided
Faiith at Up+Downtown Music and Arts Festival, photo by Eric Kozakiewicz
Cover image: “Ouroboros” by Gary James Joynes at Nuit Blanche Edmonton, photo by Fish Grikowsky
Back cover image: Kaliedo Family Arts Festival, photo by Epic Photography
edmonton arts councilPrince of Wales Armouries, 2nd Floor,
10440 - 108 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5H 3Z9
p. 780.424.2787 | f. 780.425.7620
edmontonarts.ca