Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity launches new strategic direction and visual identity
BANFF, AB, June 23, 2016 – Together with its Board of Governors, Banff Centre is proud to unveil a new, long range strategic plan in order to advance and secure its position as the global leader in arts, culture, and creativity. Work on the Banff Centre five-year strategic plan commenced in May 2015, and was accompanied by a thorough review of the mission, vision, and strategic direction. Concurrent to the strategic planning work, the Centre undertook an update to its branding and institutional graphic identity.
Entitled The Creative Voice: 2016- 2021, the strategic plan includes the introduction of:
- An update of its public name to Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
- An ongoing commitment to excellence in artistic learning
- A dedicated public arts program
- A world-class public presenting series
- The development and introduction of a dedicated cultural leadership program
- A commitment to be a centre of excellence for Indigenous arts and leadership programs
- The long term plan for the investment and stewardship of our campus infrastructure
The Creative Voice Overview
- Banff Centre summer classical music programs will engage an international faculty of artists, thinkers, and composers to create new work and re-examine traditional repertoire under the co-artistic direction of Claire Chase and Steven Schick.
- Banff Centre opera programs will continue to explore new approaches to the art form in collaboration with national and international partners through one full production residency each year.
- Banff Centre will develop new media programs in digital storytelling, audio and video, gaming and virtual reality, with additional theatre production training in rigging, lighting and sound, and projection.
- Banff Centre will continue to contribute to our artistic community throughout Alberta and the arts and cultural sector with a dedicated public outreach strategy.
- Banff Centre will create a public art walk from the Town of Banff to the Centre with an accompanying art park on campus. The experience will help to bring to life the creative practice that is present throughout learning programs.
- Banff Centre will commission a series of public art works, beginning in summer 2017.
- Banff Centre will work with Russell Willis Taylor, former President and CEO of the US based National Arts Strategies, to establish a new, value-based leadership program for executive level cultural administrators and in addition to overseeing all leadership programs.
- Banff Centre will facilitate unique conference experiences that utilize arts, creativity, leadership practices and the natural environment while advancing programmatic practices and conference measurement techniques.
4 - A centre of excellence for Indigenous programs
- Banff Centre will maintain its world respected programs in Indigenous Leadership and Management.
- Banff Centre will develop new programs that bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners around topics of national importance, including training and summits based on recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
- Banff Centre will annually commission an emerging Indigenous visual artist annually with an award of $20,000 to create a new work. This first award will be announced in summer 2016.
- Banff Centre will provide year-round programing and artistic direction in Indigenous arts.
- Banff Centre will steward, invest, and improve the existing buildings and venues on its campus to best support artists, leaders, and guests.
- Banff Centre will continue to operate as a not-for-profit that is driven to invest its earned and contributed income into arts program in support of its mission/vision, while delivering balanced or surplus operating results.
About Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity: Founded in 1933, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is a learning organization built upon an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and creative development. What started as a single course in drama has grown to become the global organization leading in arts, culture, and creativity across dozens of disciplines. From our home in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential and realize their unique contribution to society through cross-disciplinary learning opportunities, world-class performances, and public outreach. www.banffcentre.ca