2022 Annual Report

Annual Report

Chithra Udayashankar is a local artist and arts educator living in Fort McMurray, Alberta. She holds Master's degrees in Math and Education as well as a Diploma in General Arts. From a young age, she took a strong liking to visual art and spent most of her time drawing and painting. Growing up, she did not have access to many materials while learning which has led her to experiment with different forms of expression and media. From silk paintings, glass paintings, murals, sand art, rangoli and more, she continues to expand her knowledge trying different styles and media. Currently, Chithra owns and operates her art school, Sai School of Arts, in Fort McMurray which focuses on teaching children and youth. As the school celebrates its 12th year, she has held several public art exhibitions with her students throughout Wood Buffalo. The cover artwork is an acrylic on canvas painting that represents a vision of hope and optimism for the future. Through the use of vibrant colors, we see a face that symbolizes diversity and inclusivity, representing a world where everyone is equal and valued. The painting also features a tree that stands tall and strong, illuminated by a bright light. This tree represents growth, strength, renewal, change and the potential for a better future. Its roots reach deep into the earth, symbolizing a connection to our past, while its branches reach towards the sky, symbolizing our aspirations and hopes for the future. Surrounding the tree are the five elements of nature - water, fire, air, earth and space - which remind us of our interconnectedness with the natural world. By honoring and respecting these elements, we can create a sustainable and harmonious future. Overall, this painting is a reminder of our shared responsibility to work towards a better and brighter tomorrow. It encourages us to embrace diversity, nurture our connections to nature, and strive towards a more equitable and sustainable future.

Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” ~ Walt Disney Looking Forward

Table of Contents 4 Messages 7 ACWB Highlights 9 Programs Overview 11 Communications & Engagement 13 Arts INC 15 Advocating for the Arts 16 Our Team 17 Financial Snapshot 18 Thank You 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

Mission Vision Support the growth and success of The arts are integral to a remarkable the arts. quality of life. Strategic Priorities The arts community is connected and has the resources needed to thrive. The arts are recognized as essential in creating a balanced community. Arts Council Wood Buffalo is an influential voice for the arts. Acknowledgements Arts Council Wood Buffalo celebrates and supports diversity. We are committed to showing respect for all, encouraging open collaboration and communication, and creating an inclusive environment, free from barriers and discrimination. We welcome the unique contributions each individual brings in terms of education, opinions, and culture, and we do not discriminate, or tolerate discrimination by others, based on race, religion, beliefs, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status or status as a differently-abled individual, among other things. We also welcome 2SLGBTQ+, First Nations, Metis Nations, Inuit, and Multicultural groups and individuals. Arts Council Wood Buffalo recognizes that we live, work, and create on the ancestral territories of the Dene, Nêhiyawak, and other First Nations Peoples, and the Metis. We are all treaty people together in our collective home within the boundaries of Treaty 8. We would also like to recognize the Traditional Knowledge Holders and Elders who are still with us today, and those who have gone before us. ACWB would like to thank past and present Board Members, the Traditional Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous Elders that have helped us write our organization's Land Acknowledgement. This is a 'living' statement to be updated in consultation with our Indigenous partners as we continue on our reconciliation journey.



This year’s theme for Arts Council Wood Buffalo’s Message from the Mayor Annual Report is “looking forward” and it’s a fitting and appropriate choice given the success the organization achieved in 2022. On behalf of Council and everyone at the Municipality, I want to congratulate and thank Arts Council Wood Buffalo (ACWB) for its approach in fostering, supporting and growing the arts across our region. While we have experienced several challenges in recent years, ACWB has remained constant and focused as a collaborative organization delivering important outcomes for all of us. In particular, I would like to highlight the emergence of a new era of growth for ACWB – through its arts incubator (Arts INC) project, which was supported by Council in 2022. This is an exciting development for ACWB and the entire arts community as we continue to build a more vibrant downtown in the years ahead. My gratitude is also extended to Chair Scott Meller and the ACWB Board of Directors, and to Executive Director Liana Wheeldon and the entire ACWB team. Your commitment to public service, leadership, artists, creators and the overall arts community is greatly appreciated and will be much needed as new opportunities emerge. Again, congratulations to ACWB on the occasion of its 2022 Annual Report. I wish you nothing but the best as you focus on the future, solidify growth and set the foundation for what I hope will be a special year for your organization and the arts community. Sandy Bowman Mayor ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 04

Message from the Board It would be difficult for me to offer an accurate assessment of what we have achieved as a Board this past year without acknowledging what has come before. When I joined ACWB in 2017, the first major organizational shift had already been achieved. We had moved from the operational board of local artists that had come together to create a vehicle to advance the arts in our region, to a governance board with staff conducting the day-to-day operations. As a long-time volunteer with a history of working with operational boards, I cannot begin to express how difficult that shift is for most Not for Profit organizations. Guiding us through that transition and entrenching the separation of Governance and Operations, Dave Boutilier employed a consistent focus and commitment to principles that have propelled our organization into what I believe is our next major organizational shift, Arts INC. As a board we have focused this past term on two things: how to be better engaged and planning for the future. This has seen some shifts in the makeup of the board, but we have consistently worked as a unit to support our operational staff, to find new ways to grow and engage our Membership, and to focus on the future of Arts Council Wood Buffalo: Arts INC. I am proud of all we have accomplished as a board and am thankful for every board member that preceded my term, as well as all of those I have had the privilege to serve with. The diversity of skills and experience represented on our board is dizzying, and I anticipate remarkable things for Arts Council as our staff and volunteers take hold of the future of arts in the region and become a self-sustaining force for all artists. This can only happen with you, dear Member. You are our best recruiter, cheerleader, and advocate. Carry ACWB with you wherever you go, encourage artists to continue to make their art, and encourage them to join Arts Council Wood Buffalo so that we can construct a secure future for art in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Scott Meller Board Chair 05 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

Like most, Arts Council Wood Buffalo was excited to be Message from the Executive Director able to return to offering live programming as we navigated our way out of full Covid-19 restraints. Connecting to arts and culture through various online platforms during the pandemic provided respite that contributed to reducing feelings of isolation. In 2022, having face-to-face connections helped us move further forward toward wellbeing. ACWB staff were able to offer ‘hybrid’ programming for many of our proprietary Programs and Services, including Buffys 2022, for those not ready to return to in-person engagement. The creative adaptability of the ACWB Team is a testament to their commitment to supporting the growth and success of the arts. Arts and culture deliver intrinsic value to the community, promoting and empowering inclusivity, while adding important social and economic benefits. It would not be possible for us to offer our programs and services without the operational support of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts – a heartfelt thank you to these organizations! To our various sponsors, grantors, and donors, thank you for investing in the local creative economy. Finally, thank you to our volunteer Board of Directors, our Membership, and the Arts Community for contributing to a remarkable quality of life for everyone in our region. Liana Wheeldon Executive Director ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 06

Hi2g0h2li2ghts ACWB receiving the Social Executive Director, Liana Wheeldon, ACWB becoming the official Innovation Award at the 2022 awarded the Queen Elizabeth II’s owners of Arts INC Heart of Wood Buffalo Awards Platinum Jubilee Medal 07 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA

POrogverravmiesw ACWB would like to thank everyone that participated in our Programs and Services in 2022. Feedback gathered from each of the events allows our Programs Teams to ensure they are creating meaningful opportunities for broad engagement with the arts for everyone in our region. In 2022, Arts Council's Programs Team expanded to include two Programs Coordinators. This allowed us to evaluate existing programs and develop new initiatives. This included hosting two residency artists concurrently, promoting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists; the expansion of the Seniors & the Arts program to introduce Arts in Action; and the return of an in-person Buffys event, which was organized as a fundraiser to support future Arts Council initiatives. ACWB's Rural Arts Support Program (RASP) was created in response to the needs of the rural and Indigenous communities. By employing Indigenous staff, this team co-envisions and creates meaningful cultural arts programs and services to meet the unique needs of the residents of rural communities within our region. Doing so enables the community-at-large to engage with the arts, crafts, traditions, and values of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. 09 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

WESTERN Perceptions INDIGENOUS ARTIST PROGRAM Arts Council Wood Buffalo offers a variety of programs that build the capacity of local artists to compete and thrive, enabled by collaborations between artists, arts organizations, non-profits and industry, and through municipal, provincial and federal advocacy for our region's arts community. SCAN HERE See the detailed 2022 Programs Report here. www.artscouncilwb.ca/about-us ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 10

Communications & Engagement In 2022, ACWB Communications made significant strides towards enhancing our engagement strategies by bringing in new staff, adopting a new social media strategy, and focusing on live engagement. The team also focused on user experience which influenced the website reorganization and CRM software transfer. Throughout the year, we implemented a variety of initiatives and campaigns to connect with our audience in meaningful ways. One of our most successful initiatives was the revival of Arts Match, a speed networking event designed to bring together artists, arts enthusiasts, and arts supporters in Wood Buffalo. We restructured the program and hosted three successful iterations: the first at our AGM in June, the second at Surekha's on the Snye, and the last in the form of a Christmas market-style event featuring 15 different ACWB Member vendors. 592 Engagements accumulated total of live interactions. Over 130% Increase in reach across all social media platforms. 7 Events focusing on engaging Members and Non-Members. 11 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

In addition to Arts Match, we were able to engage in other outreach measures, such as participating in the 2022 Spring Tradeshow, where we offered our members the opportunity to use our booth space at no cost. We also attended various events, such as the 2022 McMurray Metis Fest, the WBCF Golf Tournament, and the 2022 Pride YMM Festival, to connect with our stakeholders and showcase the local arts community. Starting in April of 2022, we implemented a comprehensive social media strategy, which included regular posts, live streams, and interactive content. This approach enabled us to engage with our followers and keep them informed about our activities. We launched campaigns such as Buffys nominations campaign, which garnered over 200 nominations, the 2022 Artist in Residence livestream showcase, and weekly calendars for Alberta Culture Days. We also highlighted our members' work in November (Member November) and started a 'Behind the Buffys' feature series which spotlighted the creatives behind the Buffys: Arts Awards. In the Summer of 2022, Arts Council was fortunate to have placed a Communications Intern through Careers: Next Generation. Lilith McDermid, spent their summer months supporting the Communications team and developed a 'Story Games' series which aimed to encourage more engagement from our followers online. As always, we were present at various arts-based events to support and promote the local arts community, and we kept our audience informed through our monthly newsletters and social media. We were also proud to collaborate with a variety of organizations, such as Pride YMM, to create and manage artist calls for performers and festival market vendors. We worked with the Wood Buffalo Health Neighbourhood - Mental Health Working Group to host virtual events connecting the region's mental health resources. ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 12

The spot for creativity A place where you can create art endlessly. A place where artists and residents come together. A place people in the community can call home. A purpose-built space which will be used as a centre for artists to gather and work, a venue for performers, workshops and galleries, a place to host events and festivals, a community gathering space. The Arts play a key role in revitalization. As communities across the globe recover from natural disasters and economic downturns, the Arts have proven to be the BEST way to bring life back to any post disaster landscape. MAIN ENTRANCE Proposed OUTDOOR Layout EVENT SPACE (PARKING LOT) 13 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

On June 29, 2022, RMWB Mayor and Council unanimously voted to grant $5 million to fund Arts INC. We are honoured and grateful to have the support of our municipal government for this project. This grant is roughly 30% of the total budget for developing the property, including purchase and renovation. This includes the costs of buying and renovating the property. In December 2022, ACWB officially purchased the former cinema property in the downtown core. Arts INC will be the catalyst for downtown revitalization and will showcase how the arts help rebuild and put creative spark into a city. \"Where the arts thrive, there is also likely to be a vibrant, thriving economy. Neighbourhoods are livelier, communities are revitalized, tourists and residents are attracted to the area. There is a correlation between engagement in the arts and people who vote! Adults who attend art galleries, live performances, or read literature are more likely to engage in civic activities like voting and volunteering.” (Economic Vital Signs 2019) ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 14

fAordtvhoecaAtinrgts Arts Council Wood Buffalo Board of Directors and Staff are committed to creating a remarkable quality of life in our region and raising the profile of the arts by serving as board members of other organizations and on a number of community and Council-appointed Committees: STAFF COMMUNITY SERVICE Alberta Culture Days Community Planning Committee Community Investment Plan Review Committee (Council-appointed) Health Neighbourhood - Mental Health Working Group Friends of Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts Keyano College Theatre & Arts Centre Business Plan Review Committee Public Art Committee – Chair (Council-appointed) Waterfront Development Advisory Committee (Council-appointed) Wood Buffalo Community Foundation Grants Committee BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNITY SERVICE Pride YMM – Chair PRISM (Suncor 2SLGBTQ+ Employee Network – Communications Lead NorthWord Board Regional Advisory Committee for Inclusion & Diversity – Vice Chair ACWB participates as the Northern Rural representative in the Tri-Level Meetings which bring together Federal, Provincial, and Municipal arts funders to share emerging issues, opportunities, and strategies to better serve arts, culture, and heritage organizations and artists across the province. Arts Council staff also participate in numerous roundtables and initiatives to advocate for the arts such as the RMWB Municipal Development Plan and Area Redevelopment Plan feedback sessions, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Equity Review sessions, and the Alberta Art Gallery Equity and Inclusion review.

Our Team ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA

Financial Snapshot Fundraising, Donations Fee for Service & Membership 1.5 % 1.8 % Salaries & Benefits Grants & 66.2 % Sponsorships 75 96.6 % Operational Costs 11 % Travel 4.3 % Events, Projects & Advertising 15.5% Professional Fees & Development 2.3 % 50 25 0 Other Municipal Provincial Federal 17 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

Thank You Funders and Supporters Operational support provided by: ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 18

Are you an ACWB member? An ACWB Membership is THE gateway to the latest local arts news, artistic development, promotions, local business discounts, connecting with the arts community and more! Becoming an ACWB Member not only benefits YOU, it also aids ACWB to advocate for the arts community municipally, provincially, and federally! MORE MEMBERS = MORE FUNDING FOR THE ARTS 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

Sell your arts, craft and services on our FREE Marketplace platform. All proceeds go directly to YOU! Exclusive access to have a profile on our online Artist Directory to welcome opportunities from near and far! Receive exclusive discounts at participating local businesses*, events (such as the Buffys), workshops and more! FREE advisory and consultative services - from business & project planning to grant support and more! SIGN UP TO BE A MEMBER TODAY! ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA