Calgary's Visual Arts Community Consolidates Under Contemporary Calgary

CALGARY, Dec. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Members of Calgary's three visual arts institutions – Museum of Contemporary Art Calgary (MOCA), the Art Gallery of Calgary (AGC) and The Institute for Modern and Contemporary Art (IMCA) have supported special Board resolutions at their respective Annual General Meetings this week to consolidate operations into a new arts society to be called Contemporary Calgary. Representatives from the three societies and members at large will form a new governance Board to oversee Contemporary Calgary (C) beginning next January.  The three new co-chairs include Carol Ryder, formerly a Director of MOCA, David Rehn, formerly Chair, AGC and Daryl Fridhandler, formerly a Director of IMCA.

"It is our shared vision that Contemporary Calgary can serve as the principal public visual arts destination in Calgary, and one of only a few in western Canada dedicated exclusively to contemporary and modern art.  We believe our vision, based on operational excellence and innovative programing, will attract significant community support and engagement," stated Carol Ryder, Contemporary Calgary Co-Chair.

"Too often in the past, cultural institutions have been isolated, competing for audience, awareness and funding. Our innovative partnership signals a new approach; we believe that our three cultural organizations  can enjoy real benefits and synergies as members of a new partnership – Contemporary Calgary – committed to enriching lives through creative expression," said David Rehn, Contemporary Calgary Co-Chair.

"This exciting announcement is based on months of organizational and competitive analysis on the part of all three merging organizations. We all believe that the time has come for a signature contemporary and modern art institution in our city. Calgarians deserve a center for inspiration and a place that welcomes every form of artistic expression and makes everyone feel welcome.   Contemporary Calgary will be a place to celebrate the art of our times," stated Daryl Fridhandler, Contemporary Calgary Co-Chair.

Current programing, curatorial, marketing and administrative staff from MOCA and AGC will work together and form the new staff at Contemporary Calgary. The new organization will occupy the former Art Gallery of Calgary space on Stephen Avenue Mall.  Additional information regarding 2014 exhibitions, programing and special events will be shared by the new Board at a special reception for members, patrons, community leaders and sponsors in early January. 

SOURCE: Contemporary Calgary

Emma Stevens, 403. 531.0331