Another arts casualty? This isn’t looking good.
Also available on the Calgary Herald’s Q.
What a crazy week it has been in Calgary’s arts community. Upheaval galore!
First Jeffrey Spalding unceremoniously left the Glenbow and was quickly – and permanently – replaced by former Vice-President, Access, Collections and Exhibits, Kirstin Evenden as President and CEO after only 13 months. Then came the news that Martin Fishman artistic director of Lunchbox Theatre and their board were “parting ways” after Martin being AD for less than a year. He is being replaced on an interim basis by former Lunchbox artistic director Rona Waddington.
Then yesterday comes the news that Colin Jackson, a stalwart as 
CEO of the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts, would be entering “retirement” (as the press release called it) with no replacement being named yet. Colin puts a good face on things, but much like the previous two departures I list, there is no doubt dirt to be dished. In this case I hear “retirement” is a synonym for – in the words of Jeffrey Spalding – “not a planned departure”.
What is going on in Calgary’s arts community? In a time when “showing stability” is about to become the buzz phrase around most board of directors tables, there sure isn’t a whole lot of stability being shown.
Is it time to panic? Are things really as bad as these departures make things look?
Perhaps not. Love these three or hate ‘em I do hear there were legitimate reasons leading to the departures – most involving finances of the organization. Obviously I don’t know what discussions have been had around those board meetings or what level of involvement the departed had in their inevitable re-employment. Regardless, right decisions or wrong, I can say with absolutely assurance this doesn’t look good on the industry as a whole.
Some good news is desperately needed. Another Bob White/Vanessa Porteous/ATP story sure would be good right about now.
Can a hollow throne support our weight?
My quick impression of the throne speech (the text of which can be found here):
I agree whole heartedly with the words used. I, nay, we want politicians and the community to work together, not just to solve this “struggling economy”, but also in general. We elect a group to represent us and solve these kinds of issues.
But there is something hollow about the language used. The speech presents the idea of working together as if it is a new thing – a tool that has not been available to us in the past months or years. Has this not been an option previously? Has it not been a potential solution to “uncertainty” all this time? Why was this tool not used before?
It gets me thinking about the stereotypical Stephen Harper left-leaning politicians and comedians alike love to put forward and abuse – the secretive Harper that holds few press conferences and ‘muzzles’ his MPs. Doesn’t the language in the throne speech fly in the face of what has come before? Who is this speech aimed at? The writer? It all just seems… false, somehow.
Whether you agree or disagree with the Coalition between the Liberals and the NDP, with the support of the Bloq, it is hard to argue this is the kind of cooperation the throne speech calls for.
“Our Government approached the dialogue in a spirit of open and non-partisan cooperation.” Why the change of heart from the government? Time will tell if this is really the dawn of a new era in Parliament, or just another political empty promise that we’ve become so used to over 142 years.
A simple marketing tip: you can’t just say you are some thing, that won’t fool anyone. To get your customers to believe you, you have to actually be that. Do this and you’ll save a lot of heartache and money in the long run.
Starting over from scratch: creating a gallery of contemporary art for Calgary
Also available on the Calgary Herald’s Q.
The recent “resignation” of Jeffrey Spalding from the Glenbow Museum has created a new call for a gallery of contemporary art. The Herald is all over it. And I’ve had several of my colleagues bring up the thought as well since Spalding’s departure.
The Herald article is the one I find the most interesting however. The first thing I see is they talk to the IMCA pushers (the group that tried their damnedest to secure the old AGT building on 6 Ave SW for the gallery a couple years back) and they mention the $165 million the City of Calgary has available currently as a possible starting point. Yes, that is a good fund to draw from, but you didn’t make it to the short list last year – assuming you put in an application. The money won’t help you if you don’t ask for it. But first you need to get organized better. This is the one over riding thing I’ve heard from people: the group is a high profile group but not well situated to lead the creation of a new gallery. Trust me: after being part of building two new cultural space in the city you need to have a good solid group of people who know what they are doing and are connected in the right ways to get it off the ground.
Which leads me to the second thing I noticed in the article: the IMCA pushers think Spalding may be the man to lead there charge. This is a very good idea – but have you talked to him? I’m not sure this is the best time for him personally. The article says he is has not made any comments since his “resignation”. True, but I’ve had a conversation with him, albeit a shortened one over email. Let’s just say my thoughts are not baseless. (And those quotation marks aren’t for gramatically incorrect emphasis.) I emp
The long and the short of it is – the opportunity for a contemporary art gallery is upon us. But someone is going to have to get a supportive organization organized in the very near future it make it happen. Spalding is just one man – as evidenced by recent events. Someone else will have to step up to lead the organization.
The Glenbow will not and cannot be that gallery. I’ve said it several times over the last few days – they don’t have the space or the brand to make it happen. Don’t even try. We’ll have to wait and see if someone else can make the seemingly impossible happen.
Vanessa Porteous, ATP Artistic Director Designate
A big – HUGE – congratulations to Vanessa Porteous on being named the new artistic director of Alberta Theatre Projects. Just their fourth in almost 40 years of history.
I couldn’t be happier. Vanessa is a fantastic woman and the absolute best person I could possibly think of for the job. Aside from her skills as an artist and planner – she headed ATP’s play development department for 4 years or so – I don’t think she’ll take any guff from anyone. (And she’ll do it bluntly but somehow allowing you to maintain your respect for her.)
I had the chance to work with Vee for the first four years I was at ATP back when I first graduated from University. She was always there when I had a question about something I didn’t know and was always prompt to help out on something, even when she had about 100 other things on the go.
Congratulations again, Vanessa. As they said at the announcement, I have no doubt you will change ATP, Calgary and the country. I wish you all the very best!
(On a side note, I’m happy to see a woman – a young one at that – take over such a prestigious theatre. Great news.)
Jeffrey Spalding, CEO of the Glenbow and cultural rockstar, unexpectedly steps down
As I’ve been posting for a bit on Twitter and Facebook, Jeffrey Spalding, the CEO of the Glenbow Museum has stepped down this afternoon. Rather unexpected to be blunt. The story is being reported by the Herald and CBC now too.
Here’s the official word from the man himself:
A note to colleagues and friends:
This afternoon, Glenbow and I parted company. Enclosed you will find a media release issued by Lachlan Currie, chair of the board. It has been my privilege and honour to work with fine staff, generous colleagues as well as wonderful supportive partners, sponsors and donors. Together much of great note has been accomplished. THANKS!
My personal email is: [deleted for privacy reasons]
Cheers
Jeffrey
Jeffrey Spalding C.M.
President, Royal Canadian Academy of Arts
This certainly is sad news for the Calgary cultural community. From the outside perspective Jeffrey’s work at the Glenbow has been commendable. Not since Lance Carlson moved to town to take over the Alberta College of Art and Design has one individual or organization shook up the cultural and business communities so thoroughly.
I’m throughly disappointed. I think I’ll go to Ramsay tonight and visit the Device to Root out Evil and mourn.
I certainly hope that he is moving on for reasons that are personsally positive. I wish him all the best assuming they are. (And I can’t wait to find out the reasons behind such a seemingly quick move.)
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