{ Category Archives }
Calgary Herald: “Not since its opening more than 80 years ago has The Banff Centre hosted such a gathering of notable guests as it did over three days last weekend, from philanthropists and federal ministers, to CEOs, founders, builders, presidents and a prince.”
Calgary Herald: “Cloudless blue sky and sun, the awe of aerial dance, the magic of violin, and the thrill of brass heard amidst the splendour of the surrounding mountains.
“Such was the scenario of light, sound and spectacle that greeted the guest of honour, HRH Prince Edward, and assorted VIPs and dignitaries gathered on the occasion of the official opening on Saturday of the Banff Centre’s brand new Kinnear Centre for Creativity & Innovation, a $100 million ecologically responsible, environmentally friendly facility that brings together training in leadership development and the arts across three floors of studio, presentation, meeting and classroom space.”
Calgary Herald: “A $100-million, state-of-the-art learning centre received a royal blessing in Banff on Friday.
“Prince Edward, the 46-year-old third son of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, was invited to the inauguration of the new Kinnear Centre building by its namesake. Calgarian James Kinnear, who along with a group of investors, provided $10 million of seed money toward completion of the six-year project — a 21,000 sq. ft. multidisciplinary learning centre. The connection between Kinnear and the Royal Family stems from Kinnear’s financial support of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a worldwide foundation dedicated to at-risk youth.
“The prince took a half-hour tour of the facility with Kinnear, architect Jack Diamond, and members of the Banff Centre board and staff.”
Canadian Heritage: The federal government is matching donations made by individuals, companies, and community groups to the Banff Centre’s endowment funds.
Government of Alberta: “To inspire Alberta Arts Days events across the province and increase Albertans’ access to cultural experiences, the Government of Alberta has formed partnerships with five cultural facilities. Lethbridge’s Yates Memorial Theatre, Grande Prairie’s Prairie Art Gallery, Red Deer’s Bower Pond Stage, St. Albert’s Arden Theatre and the Banff Centre have been selected as the 2010 Alberta Arts Days Feature Celebration Sites.”
Market Wire: “For more than three decades, Gordon Arnell has shown vision and leadership within the real estate industry and his community. Chairman of the board of directors and a former president and chief executive officer of Brookfield Properties, he has been a mentor and role model for many young executives. He is equally well-known as a supporter of and contributor to many arts and educational institutions. Over the years, the Banff Centre and the University of Alberta have benefited from his dedication and support.”
The Globe and Mail: “A new, national initiative is under way to heighten Canadians’ awareness of the arts, their accessibility to art and artists, and their ‘participation in and engagement with’ the activities of the cultural sector.
“The initiative, called Culture Days, may result in the dates of other cultural events being moved to run at the same time. Details are sketchy at this point but the initiative, set to make its debut next September, has already lured some of the country’s top arts mavens onto its steering committee…. Other participants include Sarah Iley, vice-president of programming for the Banff Centre….”
Banff Crag and Canyon: “Dr. Keith Archer is getting the opportunity to do what few every will: shape the political landscape of the province. Archer has been named to the Electoral Boundaries Commission, which will make recommendations to divide the province into 87 political ridings, four more than Alberta has right now.”
Archer is director of research at The Banff Centre.
Canadian Heritage: “Renewed investments in the arts represent $504 million in support over five years and are in addition to measures announced in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. These measures include a 41-percent increase in the budget for the Canada Arts Training Fund) and additional funding of $60 million over two years for the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund,( doubling the budget for the program this year and extending it to 2010-2011.”
The Globe and Mail: Stephan Benediktson of Cochrane last year donated $100,000 to The Banff Centre to finance a visiting Icelandic artist program.
“The first fellowship recipient is Ragnar Kjartansson, a young performance artist and graduate of the Icelandic Academy of Arts whose productions have been performed around the world; he is representing Iceland in the Venice Biennale, which opens tomorrow.”
