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2009 ROZSA AWARDS RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
Tom McFall became the Executive Director and Curator of the Alberta Craft Council ten years ago when it was facing a looming deficit, the rapid succession of a number of Directors and the departure of some of the most senior and professional artist members. He eliminated the debt, re-engaged members, revamped their national magazine and moved operations to a more profitable and accessible venue in downtown Edmonton. Strategic planning has become a key component of Board work under Tom’s tenure and his goal to gain recognition for fine crafts as a serious, relevant and professional art form has become a reality. Under Tom’s leadership, The Alberta Craft Council has presented an exhibit at the Smithsonian 2007, and many professional Alberta fine craft artists are now exhibiting internationally. Tom heads one of Canada’s largest craft councils, and in this capacity he consistently promotes and nurtures member artists and groups, many of whom have become a destination for international curators. He is currently leading a search to identify an appropriate Calgary location for the Council. “The Rozsa Award is simply amazing” says Mr. McFall. “Personally, it provides a huge acknowledgement and validation for much of my career. For the Alberta Craft Council, its board and staff members, and its entire membership, the award also confirms the rightness of their vision and hard work. I expect that, for everyone involved with the Craft Council, especially as it enters its 30th anniversary year, this award will offer a surge of new energy. My colleagues and I intend to capitalize on every opportunity that might come from the award to expand the activity of the Craft Council, to increase the profile of the professional craft arts in Alberta, and to support individual craft artists’ careers.” The Rozsa Awards Jury was impressed by several aspects of Mr. McFall’s leadership. “We were impressed with Tom’s success in defining fine crafts as an artistic genre and raising the profile of crafts across Canada while, at the same, exposing members to increased marketing and competitive opportunities” says the head of the Jury, Brenda-Ann Marks. “Tom’s work has resulted not only in increased opportunities within Canada but has helped to launch Canadian artists on an international stage by facilitating overseas exhibits. He has brought a new and sophisticated curatorial vision to all aspects of the Alberta Craft Council’s activities.”
The Rozsa Innovation Award was also announced. The 2009 Rozsa Innovation Award was awarded to Gerard Gibbs, Executive Director of the Empress Theatre in For MacLeod. Through the development of strategic partnerships and community engagement programs, Mr. Gibbs has increased both the volume and the professional level of artistic programming offered by the company. In addition, he has championed the commissioning of new works, some of which have been performed internationally. The 2009 Rozsa Awards jury declined to present the Human Resources Award. Although each of the 9 nominees had performed with merit in this category, it was determined that there was not one nominee who stood out above the others. Unique in Canada and among the most prestigious business Awards in the country, the Rozsa Arts Management Awards provide the recipients with cash awards and educational and professional mentoring benefits valued at more than $100,000. The Awards are an opportunity to march managers from “Back Stage to Centre Stage” and are designed to shine the spotlight on best business practices in arts management. The Rozsa Awards are open to arts administrators throughout Alberta. “Our goal is to increase the profile of the arts management profession, and to recognize outstanding work that is on par with successful businesses in the for-profit world”, says Rozsa Foundation President, Mary Rozsa de Coquet. “The business sponsors who nominated this year’s candidates have cause to be proud: the accomplishments of all our nominees are tremendous, and have made selection a difficult task for the jury.” The nominees hale from Edmonton, Calgary and Fort MacLeod, and work with a variety of artistic genres. New in 2009, the Rozsa Arts Management Awards launched Alberta Art Days in conjunction with the Government of Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. The 2009 Alberta Art Days are being held from September 18 – 20. The Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management is presented by the Rozsa Foundation, a philanthropic organization that works to promote the Arts through grants, community involvement and public dialogue. The Award was created to honour Drs. Ted & Lola Rozsa. For more information about the award visit www.rozsafoundation.org. Please check out the article in the Calgary Herald as well here... (provided by the Rozsa Foundation) |
The
Rozsa Foundation is pleased to announce that Mr. Tom McFall, Executive
Director and Curator of the Alberta Craft Council, has been chosen
as the recipient of the 2009 Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts
Management. Mr. McFall was chosen from a strong field of 9 nominees
from across the Province.